Amazing one-of-a-kind circular home in former water tank
Woolbrook Reservoir was once a water holding tank but a clever conversion has turned it into a stunning getaway by the sea
The vibes of this unique home in Devon are ‘Bond villain’s lair – if that villain had a change of heart and settled down to become a family man who enjoyed entertaining and collecting art’.
Come and check out a stunning one-off holiday home in the round…
Old water tank
Image credit: Host Unusual
Woolbrook Reservoir was once a giant round concrete water tank set into the top of a hill on the outskirts of the beautiful, historic resort of Sidmouth in Dorset.
Sidmouth Image credit: Miranda Wood CC BY-ND 2.0
It served the same purpose as many of the water towers that have also been decommissioned – as a holding tank for water that could be released at pressure when needed to supply local homes.
Image credit: Host Unusual
But today’s water system with more modern pumps doesn’t need so many of these elevated storage containers.
So, the reservoir was sold off – offered with planning permission for a guide price of £300,000.
Image credit: Host Unusual
The huge concrete drum-shaped tank set in the hilltop had been lying unused for five years when it was bought from South West Water in 2008 by civil engineer Robert Hardy and his wife Ann who set about the enormous task of turning it into a home.
Robert had worked in large infrastructure schemes, so he wasn’t fazed by the prospect of taking on such a big project.
The tank was disguised under a grass-covered mound of earth and looked like nothing so much as a green Teletubbies mound.
Two inspection hatches on the top offered the only route in.
C-shaped home
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The plan was to keep the tank intact, as it held back the earth behind it, and to build a property inside the tank.
A keyhole shape would be cut out of the roof of the tank to let in light and allow access to what would be a new C-shaped property.
But first, all the soil had to be removed from the top of the tank – and this had to be dug out by hand as the tank roof wouldn’t support the weight of a digger driving over the top.
Steelwork
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A steel frame was then assembled inside the tank to support the roof before the keyhole section was removed.
The welders working on this could only work on it for three hours at a time because of the build-up of fumes inside the tank.
Once the steelwork that would form the supporting structure was in place, the unwanted section of the concrete roof was cut away revealing the striking shape of the new house with its central circular courtyard.
Huge windows
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A curved wall of glass windows and doors was installed around this courtyard, and aluminium side walls were put up.
Floors were put in a third of the way up the drum to create a ground floor at the base of the tank and an upper floor.
Dividing walls were then installed to create the rooms.
Image credit: Host Unusual
The rooms on the upper floor would become five bedrooms, including a double-height main bedroom, and three bathrooms.
The ground floor – which is actually two floors underground – became a kitchen, dining room, snug, another en suite bathroom, storage rooms and a double-height entrance hall and lounge.
Image credit: Host Unusual
Ceilings in the upper rooms slope upwards towards the double-height windows, reflecting the dome shape of the tank’s roof.
Entrance tunnel
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The earth bank at what was to become the front of the property was excavated to create a double garage and a new entrance through a passage knocked through the back of the tank.
The passage leads into the entrance hall.
The excavated earth was piled round the back of the tank to form the garden.
Meanwhile, the exposed concrete on top of the tank was covered in artificial turf recreating the original turf covering of the building.
Image credit: Host Unusual
The floor of the central courtyard was covered in decking, and a large veranda added to connect the two ends of the C shape and complete the home’s circular shape.
New owners
Unfortunately, having done all this work on the house, the Hardys had to move.
And the very special property was then purchased by current owners Mark and Caroline Laurenti.
The couple, who have two sons, have undertaken significant work on the interior of the house and created all the wonderful outdoor spaces.
Image credit: Host Unusual
Since moving in they have made some minor structural changes too.
For example, they turned the garage into a gym and storage room, they also dug out more earth to provide more parking.
Redecorating
Most of their changes have been to the home’s décor however, injecting their own funky sense of style, and turning their unique home into the perfect house for guests.
Image credit: Host Unusual
While the master bedroom has been given a luxe, theatrical purple makeover, an eclectic collection of paintings and sculptures adds character and colour throughout the house.
Multimedia dining
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In the kitchen, the new units curve to follow the contours of the room.
While in the dining area, a row of media screens, ready for USB hook up or online download, gives a futuristic look.
Mark is disappointed that Caroline put a stop to his plan to get the entrance tunnel filled with graffiti and street art – but you can’t help but feel that her veto was probably for the best.
Courtyard
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Outside, in the plant and sculpture-filled central courtyard, there’s a seating area with firepit as well as a dining table.
Image credit: Host Unusual
The large veranda overlooking the courtyard has additional seating and dining areas to make the most of indoor-outdoor living.
Here, in the undercover lounge, there’s also a pool table, while in the garden there’s a quirky football version (the rules are the same, it’s just played with footballs…).
Up on the roof
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In the garden there’s also the perfect rooftop chill-out area, featuring a hot tub, dining area, BBQ, seating area with fire pit – and, last but not least, a bar.
Image credit: Host Unusual
Because you’re up on a hill there are great views all around, but the site is well shielded by mature trees.
Holiday home
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Mark and Caroline, who are both retired, spend much of their time travelling these days, so they rent out their subterranean lair as a holiday house when they are away.
Mark says, “We’ve got six bedrooms and space for 16 people all together.
Image credit: Host Unusual
“There’s plenty for everyone to do from the gym to table tennis, and heaps of space.
Plus, we’re in a beautiful part of the world down here on the Jurassic Coast.
It really is the perfect place to come for a celebratory family get together or milestone party in unique surroundings.”
Find out more
You can find out more about Woolbrook Reservoir here.
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