In the all-encompassing spheres of architecture and design, the onus of experimentation and convention-breaking often eludes silos deemed purely functional. While residences, commercial structures, assembly and institutional buildings morph in conjunction with stylistic trends or individual creative flairs, there are certain typologies—viewed as more pragmatic than they are creative—which abide by a nearly unalterable template derived solely from their functions. Water towers are one such example. An inextricable element across diverse neighbourhoods, water towers, albeit standing out owing to their massive scales, seldom do for their visual and architectural character—almost every configuration is differentiated ever so slightly (if at all) from another. In Varberg, Sweden, this singular water tower by White Arkitekter paves the way for a fresh perspective on these monotonous forms.

The Våga Water Tower stands on Bastekullen, situated just outside central Varberg on the Swedish west coast. Conceived by White Arkiteker, one of Scandinavia’s pioneering architectural practices, the water tower has emerged as a new landmark in the locality, symbolising Varberg’s deep connection to the sea. Its distinct silhouette blending rigid linearity with wave-like curves sets it apart in the homogeneity characteristic of its typology. “Våga holds a prominent place in the landscape, but the tower is also designed to be appreciated up close. Our ambition was to create a structure that will stand for centuries—and always remain beautiful,” says Agnes Orstadius, architect at White Arkitekter.

Since 2000, the population of Varberg has surged by approximately 30 per cent; the water demands in the city have risen significantly as a consequence of this growth. In response to the ongoing expansion, Vivab, the municipal water company, expressed the need for a larger and modern water tower. Three architecture firms were invited to submit a proposal for the project: a concrete construction on Bastekullen in Träslöv, capable of holding 10,000 cubic metres of water, five times more than its predecessor. The new tower was envisioned to be a landmark emblematic of the significance of water both for the city and the world. A jury including representatives from Vivab and Varberg Municipal selected White Arkitekter’s Våga as the winner.

Founded in 1951, White Arkitekter works with sustainable architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and interior design. The practice’s mission is to foster sustainable life for current and future generations through mindful architecture that resides in harmony with its ecosystem. The team extends this approach in Våga. The word ‘våga’ stands for ‘wave’ and ‘dare’ in Swedish; this dual meaning percolates in the design concept of the water tower. Våga dares to digress from the conventional cylindrical shape of water towers to imagine an innovative prototype: a horizontal, elongated, wave-like profile that nods to the coastal identity of Varberg.

The water reservoir, resting on nine pillars and segmented into eight identical concrete components, stretches 187 metres in length and nine metres in width. The central, uniquely shaped pillar accommodates an elevator and a staircase to access the structure. The repeating segments display concave profiles that facilitate an ever-changing play of light and shadow on the facade design. Like a line running parallel to the ground, the concrete architecture cuts through the flat rural landscape of Varberg. Additionally, the horizontal linearity of Våga calls to a Halland tradition of linear large-scale infrastructure, such as the long rows of wind turbines along the E6 motorway and the UNESCO-listed Grimeton Radio Station with its enormous longwave antennas. “All these elements—the slender shape, wave motif, concave façade and interplay of shadows—make the tower appear entirely different depending on the time of day and viewing angle. This dynamic ensures the tower never ceases to surprise,” says lead architect Per Hultcrantz.

The westernmost part of the site offers picturesque glimpses of the sea. The positioning of the tower is such that it preserves a plateau in front of it and creates a welcoming space for visitors. Despite its monumental size, the architects have strived to maintain a human scale which is accentuated when one looks closely at the pillars. As opposed to the standard practice of using triangular fillets to ease formwork removal, the tower’s edges are adorned with concave mouldings across 1800 metres sourced from hardware stores. The soft corners are gentle and speak of the attention to detail given to the project. The concrete casting was done against form-plywood sheets for a smooth finish; aligned joints and segment marks along with plugged holes where formwork ties were placed affirm a clean look.

White Arkiteker, in partnership with Vivab and Veidekke, followed a comprehensive design programme emphasising the significance of each architectural element, laid out in the initial stages of the project. To complement Våga, wildflowers are sown at the foot of the tower and the service road is transformed into a green gravel path. The result is a culmination of Vivab’s vision for the project as both a landmark and a recreational space, alongside White Arkiteker’s architectural expertise and innovative perspective on what a water tower can be.