Directly beside the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, this unique structure sits squarely on the Pennsylvania State University campus in State College, PA. When the university decided to majorly upgrade its water system, Caldwell quickly determined that to do this well, we would need to demolish the existing 750,000 gallon elevated water tank. To fulfill the university’s water improvement objectives, we not only need to entirely replace the tank located at the center of Penn State’s campus, but likewise freshly paint a new one.
Because key university buildings surrounded the existing tank, it meant properly executing and containing this rehabilitation project would be especially challenging. We knew that considering the utilitarian usage of the new water tank, it would need to complement the design of its surrounding buildings. Additionally, we set out to perch this tank as the roof for a working amphitheater. Caldwell designed and constructed the tank without an exterior balcony, eliminating the bottom bay of brace rods to allow pedestrian access to the amphitheater.
First, Caldwell crews demolished the existing tank. Next, we prepared and staged the area, placing a new 12-inch water line. Along with concrete parallelogram supports for the tank’s legs, we placed 42 micropiles. For the amphitheater, we built one row of seats that doubles as a retaining wall, where two other bluestone walls create additional seating.
Through our construction of a combination undulating canopy, we built student space with security climbing baffles on the tower legs. These climbing baffles also house the theatrical lighting for the amphitheater. Vibrant colors of purple, pink, and blue illuminate the space beneath the water tower at night, casting lights onto the seating area. Caldwell also added removable fencing on one side of the tank for event control.
