2024-05-03
How an abandoned pumping station was turned into a unique hotel in the middle of the lake

Abandoned industrial sites are increasingly becoming the focus of architects and designers. Of course, it is much easier to build a new structure from scratch than to remodel something old. But that is what makes such projects interesting; the authors of the transformation face a challenging task. It is necessary to fit into the existing dimensions and create an interesting concept that will not only change the building's exterior but also give it a new life. This is exactly what specialists from Cumulus Studio managed to do, transforming a closed pumping station on Lake St. Clair in Australia into a cozy hotel.

An abandoned solid building in the middle of a picturesque lake, accessible by a separate footbridge, is an interesting and attractive site in itself. And if it were to be transformed into a small hotel, it would be one of a kind, as there is nothing like it in Australia or in other countries around the world. This is roughly how Simon Kerrant thought, who commissioned the project to transform the decommissioned pumping station.

The Art Deco building in the middle of Lake St. Clair was built in 1940. The pumping station was used for a while to pump water into the neighboring lagoon, but it then became unnecessary and was simply sealed off. Since the site has high architectural value, it was decided to preserve it and transform it into a useful tourist location.

Lake St. Clair itself is located on Tasmania. With a depth of 174 meters, it is the deepest water body in the country. St. Clair and the surrounding area are part of a national park and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. This place is very popular among Australian and international tourists. There are several hiking trails here, and fishermen can almost always be seen along the shores of the lake, as valuable trout are found here. For this reason, the park management has a delicate attitude towards everything related to the lake and the history of this region.

The pumping station building, which has not been used since the 1990s, has been reconstructed into the stylish Pumphouse Point hotel. The interior of the space is minimalist, while the exterior of the building has remained almost unchanged, as required by the transformation project. The building, along with the lake, is part of a natural complex that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so no drastic changes are welcome. Due to its specific location, individuals under 18 years of age are not allowed in the hotel, but everyone else can enjoy their stay in this stunning location in the middle of the lake.



