Breda Water Tower

This water tower was built in 1934 and put into use in 1935.

At the time this tower was designed and built, austerity was the order of the day; it was a time of crisis. The tower was meant to be an industrial structure, without too much frills. Around a sturdy concrete construction, a skin of handmade bricks was erected. This construction was modern for its time. The bricks were reddish-brown in color. Eventually, the skin was also adorned with ornaments, using Swedish granite, steel, and copper.

For further decoration, the sculptor Gerard van Aalst was commissioned, who created two reliefs from French limestone above the entrance on the outside. The upper one features an image of the angel from the coat of arms of Breda.

The style in which the tower was realized is that of the Amsterdam School.

Wim Blankers