A water tower in west Norfolk has been named one of the best new buildings in the UK.

The Castle Acre Water Tower won a prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects award, a list of the best new buildings in the country for 2021.

Eastern Daily Press: The Water Tower before the renovationsThe Water Tower before the renovations (Image: Tonkin Liu)

The 1950s tower lay dormant for years.

It is now a second home after being bought six years ago for £25,000 by the current owners, Dennis Pedersen and Misia Godebska.

It was brought back into use by Tonkin Liu, London-based architects.

The eco-build cost £350,000 to build, with as much of the original structure used as possible.

Eastern Daily Press: The Water Tower at nightThe Water Tower at night (Image: Tonkin Liu)

The water tank became the living area, and the steel frame was infilled to create other rooms.

The ground floor contains a games room and a toilet, as well as access to the second tower.

Eastern Daily Press: The stairs in the second towerThe stairs in the second tower (Image: Tonkin Liu)

A second tower was added to create stability and allow access to the stairs and lift, connected to each floor by a glass bridge.

The first floor is the bedroom, with storage space and a bathroom.

Eastern Daily Press: Inside the Water HouseInside the Water House (Image: Tonkin Liu)

Each of the rooms in the frame has a mezzanine level, accessed by a ladder.

The large windows of the frame all face north, overlooking the barley fields. This is to prevent light pollution in the village to the south.

Eastern Daily Press: Inside the Water TowerInside the Water Tower (Image: Tonkin Liu)

The third floor is the former steel water tank, the largest room in the property.

This room features a kitchen, a dining room, and a living room, with panoramic views of the landscape and a large skylight.

The roof has a 360-degree sky viewing platform and solar panels to help power the house.

The building won the Custom Project of the Year 2020 at the Structural Timber Awards and the House of the Year over 500k 2021 at the AJ Retrofit Awards.

Eastern Daily Press: The Water Tower in Castle AcreThe Water Tower in Castle Acre (Image: Tonkin Liu)