The Hansgrohe Award for sustainable design ideas with regards to water recognises up-and-coming young designers from all over the world. More than 135 concepts were submitted to the awards program which was presented for the third time within the scope of the iF concept design award 2013.
Two submissions in particular caught the eye of the judging panel – “Watertube” and “Storm” – both of which came from a design team at Pforzheim University in Germany.
“Watertube” offers a unique experience for body and mind with the bather engulfed in a ring of jets integrated into the floor. A conical tube of water completely encloses the bather in just a few seconds without causing any splashing. Water is kept within the “wall” and flows away down a ring-shaped drain. Inside, a touch-sensitive control panel is foot-operated to give the user complete control.
The judges commented: “A really new shower experience! Water forms the space – a great idea! Really wonderful detailed work: the operation and drainage system are particularly noteworthy. An emotional side of water.”
“Storm” combines different shower processes (wetting, washing, drying) in one single step. This not only means time saved in the shower, but the designers claim Storm is also more efficient and hygienic than conventional showers thanks to a special combination of air jets and suction nozzles. Curtains, drains and towels are no longer needed with this “body washing system”. Storm hardly takes up any space when it is not being used which makes it an intelligent solution for apartments or ensuites.
The judges commented: “A high-tech design which combines hygiene and efficiency. Liberation from the bathroom – a stand-alone solution. A self-contained cycle wets, washes and dries the body. You don’t even need an installation for drainage.”
Which one is your favourite? Personally, I’m loving the Watertube – looks fabulous and such an out-of-the-box idea to have the water going up rather than the more traditional downward path.
