The water treatment plant itself is a two-story, flat-roofed brick structure built in a proximity to Frystak water reservoir followed by the two cylindrical sedimentation towers and a small well. This reservoir complex also includes a stone water channel, a dam wall, an access bridge, a tunnel under the dam, and even a pair of residential houses by the main road. Built with remarkable precision for its time, the entire waterworks were awarded a cultural heritage site in 1997, as a fine example of late-era Bata functionalism.

The study addresses the transformation of the existing technical structure into a water museum. It makes the water treatment plant accessible in a way that allows visitors to understand its operation while also providing additional spaces for presenting the Waterworks, introducing water-related issues in general, conducting public training, organizing programs for children, etc. The proposal focuses on the restoration of the former water treatment plant as a cultural heritage site, returning it to the era of its origin, while also addressing the surrounding areas by incorporating a new visitor center and a multifunctional seminar building. The individual structures and the visitor center are interconnected to ensure they can serve their new purpose effectively.

We propose two extensions to the existing building. The first is a visitor center, placed next to the water treatment plant, which will serve as the entrance area to the Water Museum. The foyer will feature a reception desk, and a ticket sales area combined with a café. The ground floor is connected to the exterior via a terrace facing the Frystak stream, offering outdoor seating. The building is linked to the water treatment plant at both the second floor and the basement level. The second floor of the visitor center will offer an exhibition space. Additionally there will be a connecting corridor leading to the second floor of the water treatment plant, where the exhibition continues in the former offices and laboratories. The basement will house sanitary facilities and connect to the technical facilities of the treatment plant.

The above-ground part of the visitor center is designed as a wooden skeletal structure. It is fully glazed, with a recessed brick façade intentionally leaving gaps between the bricks. The glass surfaces extend partially to the plane of this façade, creating ‘window-like’ openings. The perforated brick façade functions as a ventilated outer shell, which, through the interplay of light and shadow in the interior, evokes the rippling surface of water.

The second extension is a multifunctional seminar building located at the rear of the site. This predominantly single-story structure, with a locally elevated section, will function seasonally as a restaurant and refreshment area for visitors. The main hall is designed to be easily converted into a seminar hall for 50–70 people. Restrooms will be accessible from the exterior as well, ensuring availability even when the restaurant is closed. The seminar building is seamlessly connected to the outdoor space and offers an option for outdoor seating. An outdoor pavilion is designed for this area in a way that geometrically aligns with the new building and naturally transitions towards the original annex of the water treatment plant. Trees planted between the supporting elements of the pavilion will provide pleasant shade, while the structure itself will allow vine plants to grow and offer the possibility of hanging lights to create an inviting evening ambiance.

The museum is designed to allow visitors to explore the buildings through various guided tour routes, each offering a unique experience. However, all routes are interconnected, so it doesn’t matter which starting point the visitor chooses. The tours illustrate the historical operation of the water treatment plant, leading visitors along the original path that water once flowed through. Additionally, the theme of water is presented through both indoor exhibits and interactive outdoor features.