We’ve thankfully become more aware of the quality of our waters, especially with the increase of pollution or drastic changes in the chemical composition of rivers, lakes, and seas. We now have sophisticated equipment and software to monitor such properties, but it might come as a surprise that Mother Nature has her own way of detecting abnormalities in water. Clams, known as nature’s filter feeders, immediately react to sudden changes in water quality, sometimes even faster than scientific equipment.
Taking inspiration from one of nature’s wonder workers, this art installation turns water quality from an incorporeal idea into a tangible representation. Rather than just clamming up, these kinetic sculptures create an eerie melody, as if giving voice to the pain and woes of the water. It creates a surreal yet beautiful manifestation of water quality in a way that you can see and hear beyond just figures and graphs.
Clams aren’t able to filter out toxins (which they turn into pearls), so they would immediately shut close when they detect pollution in the water. Their reaction is sometimes faster than sensors and computers that still have to analyze the data from water samples, though, of course, they won’t be as accurate or specific. This interesting behavior, however, became the inspiration for this kinetic sculpture that, rather than just detecting water quality, translates the data into something just as interesting.
“Clams” is a collection of, well, translucent clam-like objects that have speakers inside. The clams are connected to a sensor that tests the quality of the water in the only way that humans can. Changes in the water quality are translated into sounds that shift over time, creating the semblance of eerie music. The vibrations from the speaker also cause the clamshell to go up and down, making it look like the clams are singing.
The shells themselves are made from recycled waste plastic, adding to the sustainability message of the sculptures. Although the shape of these man-made clams is quite simple, the otherworldly soundscape it produces is quite unique and memorable. It also creates an interesting bridge between media art, data sonification, and environmental awareness, translating intangible concepts and figures into something humans can better appreciate and understand.
Would you drink water out of a glass that’s been sitting on the table for 5-6 hours? No, right? So why is it that your pet has to drink water from a bowl that’s been left standing for hours at an end? Quite like a drinking glass with stagnant water, traditional water bowls can become stagnant and harbor bacteria, requiring frequent cleaning and refills. The LALAHOME DailyFresh Eco-System pet fountain aims to revolutionize pet hydration by not only ensuring that your pets drink fresh water, but also ensuring they drink water that’s been appropriately filtered.
DailyFresh and RealPura 5X Filtration Technology help deliver fresh and crystal-clear water, while the extra-large 10L tank and 6L waster water tank ensure fewer refills and disposals.
Sure, it’s easy to think of the LALAHOME DailyFresh as yet another pet water fountain, and there are many pet water fountains available out there… but on the inside, you’ve got a purification system so cutting-edge it could rival most regular purifiers found in homes for human consumption. Water is purified, oxygenated, sterilized, and waste/contaminated water is even discarded in a separate container that you can then use for watering/growing plants. The system is ruthlessly efficient, giving your pet the best water it can drink, and ensuring that every sip they have is as fresh as possible. Why? Because pet parents only want what’s best for their fur-babies, right?!
The overall design takes cues from Brutalist architecture of the 60s, combining those cues with the the minimal functionalism of contemporary design styles. Almost reminiscent of a self-sustaining society, the LALAHOME DailyFresh recycles, treats, and dispenses water efficiently. The twin cylinders look almost like skyscrapers, dual spouts look like meandering rivers, and waste water is diverted to grow cat grass (wheatgrass and other sprouted cereals) that help aid your pet’s gut biome and digestive system.
The pet fountain boasts a large 10-liter water reservoir, eliminating the need for daily refills. That’s up to two weeks of fresh water for your pet, providing peace of mind for busy pet owners with multiple jobs or those who travel frequently. The DailyFresh system goes a step further by incorporating automatic water renewal. This innovative technology automatically flushes, drains wastewater, and refills the fountain with fresh water, ensuring a consistent supply of clean water for your pet.
But fresh water is only half the story. The DailyFresh Eco-System Pet Fountain incorporates a rigorous 5-layer RealPura filtration system to remove impurities. This multi-stage filtration process tackles everything from pet hair to heavy metals, keeping the water fresh and healthy for your pet. An integrated UVC light provides an extra layer of protection by eliminating bacteria and other pathogens that can lurk in stagnant water. LALAHOME’s OxygenZ technology increases water flow, resulting in oxygen-rich water that tastes fresher and is more enticing to pets. This can be particularly beneficial for cats who may be more inclined to drink from a moving water source than a stagnant bowl.
All that tech delivers results that you can actually measure. The DailyFresh comes with a smartphone app to control the dispenser, check water levels, and even toggle different modes. Now, you’re probably wondering why your pet fountain needs its own dedicated app, but for the overly caring pet parent, the app gives control over the dispenser as well as allows you to track how much your pet drinks in the day. The app lets you know when the DailyFresh’s water levels are low, so you can replenish the removable water tanks, and the DailyFresh’s neat design and tight footprint let you easily place the pet fountain anywhere in you house, ensuring your furry friends get the best drinking water to stay hydrated and healthy, without depending on you to constantly replenish their water bowl!
Indoor water fountains and water features are becoming a popular design element within the indoors. The soothing sound of water brings an element of tranquility and serenity into the interiors. Some of the indoor design elements include water fountains, waterfalls, or a simple water feature. Note that fountains are decorative water features that use pumps to propel water into the air while waterfalls are man-made formations where water cascades over an edge into another body of water or the ground. Take a look at the different types of waterfalls that can be integrated into the décor of traditional and modern spaces.
A huge water fountain serves as the focal point in the atrium, creating a serene ambiance within the indoor space and forming a dominating visual feature in the indoors. The best part of this waterfall is that it can be viewed from various levels of the building, allowing people to enjoy it while ascending or descending the stairs.
Don’t be afraid to have some fun with your water fountain! These fountains are best suited for compact homes and can be placed on the tabletop or on the console. Observe how the presence of live fish infuses vitality into the fountain, with water gently cascading from the leaves. The downward flow of water generates a calming and tranquil sound. This water fountain is not restricted to the living room, but can also be placed in the bedroom, entrance foyer, or home office.
Take a look at this waterfall, its transparent surface allows one to enjoy the view of the flowing water from either side of the waterfall. Another plus is that this waterfall acts as a visual divider that segregates the space into two sections and also allows light to filter through the transparent surface and it is best suited for the common areas of the home.
4. Indoor Koi Pond
The koi pond forms a visual delight as one climbs up and down the stairs. Additionally, koi fish are a popular symbol in feng shui and are believed to bring good luck and prosperity within the home.
This staircase integrates a water fountain with a water trough below the staircase. The stone wall cladding forms the perfect backdrop for the staircase as well as the water fountain and infuses a biophilic vibe within the interiors.
6. Zen Water Fountain
This zen water fountain comprises a stone bowl with pebbles and water falling from a bamboo spout via an interior pump that keeps the water flowing. This minimalist water fountain creates healing sounds and is ideal for relaxation and meditation.
Nothing beats the beauty of water flowing continuously from floor to ceiling. Note that the water effect of droplets of water falling from different levels lowing droplets falling from different heights is achieved by mylar clear laces. Additionally, it allows partial visibility on both sides of the water fountain.
The water-filled fire pits are excellent for the balcony, courtyards or the indoor-outdoor areas of the home. These compact fire units combine the contrasting flames of fire with the calm sounds and visuals of water.
Recreate the visual beauty and sound of rain with the rain curtain wall. It is a line of falling water that can be used within the atrium or a stairwell. Special effects can be created by using colored lights to shine on the water and highlight each droplet of water.
10. Miniature Water Garden
This miniature water garden comprises of small plants, a fountain, some nature-inspired aesthetics, and a tree to bring a forest vibe into the décor. The nature-inspired aesthetics transform this fountain into an art piece that adds a biophilic vibe to the decor.
Enjoy a spa like experience from the luxury of your home with an indoor tub integrated with a gas fire and water bowl. Surrounded by an abundance of plants and greenery, the space exudes a meditative ambiance with a soothing vibe. This takes your sensory experience to a whole new level.
Add an elegant touch to the interiors with the presence of floating water lilies within a bowl as it is a great way of adding understated elegance to the interiors along with a tranquil vibe. The best part of this bowl is that floating flowers gently move in the water.
Enhance the interior decor with a floor-to-ceiling water sculpture featuring an array of water spouts flowing one into the other, ultimately cascading onto the goddess in an Indian theme. Just see how a wall of spouts adds so much drama to this double-height space. The abundant use of wood combines with green plants to add warmth to the décor and enhance your sensory experience.
14. Bubble Water Walls
Bring in a playful movement of rising water bubbles within a transparent wall. A water bubble wall is a clear panel that display a beautiful water environment and it is made with acrylic and a LED lighted bubble water stream. This water fountain in hues of blue and pink can function as a transparent room divider.
The Eva planter establishes a self-sustaining ecosystem, with fish and plants sharing a symbiotic relationship with each other. Fish produce ammonia, which, when broken down by plant roots, serves as nutrition for the fish. In addition, Eva includes light fixtures that simulate natural sunlight, making it ideal for indoor environments that may not be conducive to plant growth.
Duo operates on an ingenious principle of symbiosis, wherein two organisms or species mutually support each other. It’s an aquarium cum planter that not only ensures the well-being of the fish but also utilizes the waste produced by the fish to nourish the plants. Subsequently, the oxygen released by the plants oxygenates the water in which the fish reside. This elegant cycle ensures the health of both the fish and the plants. It’s a truly remarkable design for a harmonious coexistence habitat within the home!
Seeking inspiration from the grandfather’s clock, this tall and multifunctional water sculpture doubly functions as an aquarium as well as shows the time.
How about beautifying the interiors with an aquatic terrarium? An aqua-terrarium, also known as a paludarium, is essentially a fusion of a rainforest terrarium and an aquarium. This terrarium combines with a vertical garden to form an interesting design feature within eh common areas of the home.
19. Water Feature Under Glass
Designer: Mirvac Group
Beneath the glass floor, there is a water feature with a glass panel above it, housing fish within. This arrangement forms a distinctive and innovative setup within this expansive space.
20. Wall Aquarium
The wall aquarium serves as both wall art and a captivating display that captures one’s attention as they ascend. It also helps in illuminating the staircase.
Tables primarily serve a functional purpose, providing a horizontal surface to place things. Considering the space they occupy, it’s only fair that they should also have some aesthetic value, adding to the ambiance of a room instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. Unfortunately, not all designs balance form and function equally, with one aspect getting a heavier focus than the other. Some might be extremely beautiful but have little room for use as an actual table, while others try to get too smart with features at the expense of a pleasing appearance. Fortunately, we have plenty of inspiration around us to help shape our designs, and this family of odd-looking tables takes a few pages from Mother Nature’s book to create pieces that offer both practical utility as well as visual interest, bringing any living space to life.
Most tabletops come in conventional shapes such as rectangles, squares, circles, or ellipses. These, after all, are the most space-efficient shapes around, maximizing the area that you can use to lay down objects like laptops, books, or cups. They’re probably also the most mundane shapes you’ve ever laid eyes on, and they are totally dependent on the rest of the table’s composition or materials to pique your interest. The Flow family of tables bucks that trend and presents a table that almost looks impractical but is actually quite flexible in its functionality, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that it pulls off this feat by learning from organic things designed by nature itself.
As the name somewhat implies, these tables are inspired by naturally occurring bodies of water. Whether they’re puddles or lakes, water doesn’t appear as a perfect circle or rectangle, not unless you put them in artificial containers. The amorphous and almost random shape that water comes in evokes a sense of fluidity, even while at rest. It’s almost the perfect metaphor for tables that become centers of activity even as they act as resting places for your stuff.
Flow, however, is also inspired by cells that take similarly undefined shapes. Each table in the collection also has different heights to add to its unique character. And just like cells, these distinct pieces can function independently or merge into one to provide a larger canvas to arrange objects. The dynamic shapes of the tables might even inspire you to inject some life into your room, just like how cells are the building blocks of organic life.
Whether alone or connected, the fluid shapes of the Flow tables create an interesting ambiance that is both lively and calm, just like water. The tables are both pieces of structural art as well as flexible furniture that provide a bold visual impact, blending form and function in harmony just as things in nature usually do.
We are all probably aware of how polluted our waters have become, but that fact doesn’t always sink in until we’re faced with images or videos of disgusting examples. While unsettling imagery relies on the shock factor to give us a wake-up call, it starts to lose its effectiveness once the images are gone. We could always have these visuals within view, but always seeing these unpleasant things can also have negative effects on our psyches. If one needs a constant reminder of the sad state of our planet’s waters, it might be better if it came in a way that’s less unnerving but just as attention-grabbing. That’s what this elegant desk is attempting to accomplish, and it uses our tendency to keep messy desks to get that message across.
Designer: Nicola Morelli
Although they don’t need to be immaculately clean, we do need a certain amount of free space on our desks in order to be productive. Clutter blocks the flow of our work, and the mess only piles up over time unless they’re cleaned up. As it turns out, this is the exact same situation with the pollution in our rivers, seas, and oceans, and the in.water concept design ties to associate these two different but related ideas in a subtle yet captivating way.
On its own, the desk is already striking in its minimalist beauty. The piece of furniture is flat-packed and easily assembled, composed of nothing more than two pairs of aluminum legs and a plexiglass tabletop. The table has a translucent gradient that goes from blue to frost white, creating an interesting visual even when it’s devoid of anything on top.
That choice of color is, of course, intentional, and it is meant to convey the image of a clear body of water partially reflecting the blue sky. Once you start piling things on top of it, however, that pristine beauty is immediately shattered. You can no longer enjoy the clarity of the table’s surface, and the translucency of the material only serves to highlight the role of these objects as “clutter.” For even better emphasis, you could try slipping pieces of paper between the top and the metal legs, indicating “trash” that is so deep that they’re not easily removed.
The in.water concept, however, isn’t just a visual metaphor of sustainability that loses its message at the factory. It can be made from 100% recycled plexiglass and aluminum, and its flat-pack design produces less carbon footprint during transportation. With its simple beauty and meaningful design cues, this table design concept sends a more impactful message of how water pollution can be reflected in our daily lives.
The quality of air that we have around us doesn’t simply depend on the lack of pollutants or harmful substances. The amount of humidity can also be a determining factor in the comfort and health of the people living inside the space. Fortunately, we can also control this aspect of our environment, at least when we need to increase the humidity in a room. There are plenty of humidifiers in the market today, but almost all of them have one thing in common. They rely on electricity to work, which isn’t a sustainable way of living. Fortunately, there are a growing number of such tools that are adopting more natural methods, and this mini humidifier, in particular, accomplishes that while also acting as an eye-catching piece of decoration for your home.
Low humidity has been a problem since the beginning of human civilization, and our ancient ancestors had ways of dealing with that, even when there was no electricity or machines to do it for them. The most common method that is becoming popular again is saturating clay structures with water in order to give the evaporation process a helpful nudge. Of course, not everyone might want to put large clay pots or barrels in the middle of their house, but sometimes just a little can already get the job done.
KUMO is a beautiful humidifier that works using that same principle but in an almost bite-sized chunk that actually serves three purposes in a single design. It is composed of two parts, both made from natural, sustainable materials. One is a miniature stone bath with a narrow basin where you put the stoneware disc in. That unglazed stoneware disc is the “clay” part of the humidifier, and it’s shaped like a wavy cucumber slice that makes the whole composition look like you’re dipping a healthy cucumber snack.
All you really need to do is to add some water to the bath and then put the disc in, which will stand still thanks to its close fit. It will absorb the water, which then evaporates more easily into the surrounding air to increase the humidity. Refill the water once it’s all used up, and that’s pretty much all there is to it. You can also opt to add a few drops of essential oil to increase the fragrance in the room, making the humidifier also act as a natural diffuser.
And, of course, it also looks great while doing its job. The pleasant combination of shapes and the contrast of colors make it an interesting visual piece, whether it’s on your desk or on a shelf. It’s definitely something you’d want to show off, unlike run-of-the-mill electric humidifiers that are just plastic containers puffing out vapor. Sustainable, multifunctional, and beautiful, KUMO puts a unique twist on the concept of a humidifier, showing that the ancients might have had the right idea all along.
While the world is three-fourths covered with water, not all of it is drinkable. Those who live in cities and even in some rural areas have the luxury of access to purified water, but a lot of people could be miles away from the nearest natural well. Humans need water to survive, however, and people in remote parts of the world are forced to drink unclean, bacteria-laden water just to live, only to get sick from the same. Deploying water purifiers to these locations might sound like the simplest solution, but most of these require electricity which is also difficult to come by, even with solar generators. This concept, however, harnesses the power of the sun in a different way and offers a solution that is sustainable through and through.
Conventional water purifiers, at least the small ones at homes, clean water by making it pass through different kinds of filters. Some simply require water to go through them using pressure that comes from faucets, while others use electricity to power motors and other electronics. Neither of these methods is feasible in remote areas that don’t even have access to electricity, let alone clean water from natural wells. While you can indeed hook up such a purifier to a solar generator, the use of batteries and electronics still limit the purifier’s sustainability.
Stil, in contrast, uses solar energy, not to power electronics but to clean the water almost directly. It uses the age-old method of heating up water to boiling point and then collecting the condensation as clean, distilled water. Since there is no electricity or electronics involved, this kind of purifier can be positioned and used anywhere, with access to sunlight being the only hard requirement to get Stil to work.
As simple as the process might sound, the design of this environment-friendly water purifier isn’t exactly trivial. The Fresnel lens that collects sunlight, for example, is dome-shaped so that sunlight can hit it from all angles. The metal core is a thick rod that, when heated, causes the water to boil evenly. There is a covered overflow hole that prevents the dirty water from mixing with the clean water. And the parts are made so that they’re easy to take apart for cleaning.
The exterior of the container itself is made from an opaque bamboo composite, making it eco-friendly from start to finish. The level indicator for dirty water is just a strip, but the container for clean water is clear and completely transparent, creating a visual effect that emphasizes the contrast between dirty and clean water. It can be put up on any flat surface or propped up on snap-on metal legs in the middle of an open space for maximum effect. Without cords or heavy motors, Stil can focus completely on just purifying the water, providing up to 12L of clean water that can save thousands of lives.
What do you get when you put a boat, a hot tub, and a fireplace in the middle of the ocean? It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but this is actually something that apparently people have been dreaming of. Of course you now have small boats (and big boats) that can accommodate both the hot tub and the fireplace, but what if you just wanted a small group of people to enjoy these amenities with you while you’re lounging in the water?
Designer: Spacruzzi
From the name of the company and the product itself, you can kind of determine what it is or what it wants to be. It actually can’t make up its mind so it combined the three things into just one: a small boat that can fit in four-five people, a gas-powered furnace to warm up the passengers, and of course, a jacuzzi that makes it the perfect hot tub for when you want to relax with close friends in the middle of the sea or ocean instead of just your backyard.
Even when the sea is a bit cold depending on the weather, staying inside the Spacruzzi will keep you warm as it has a propane-powered “stove” that is able to regulate its own temperature. In case you’re concerned that you might blow up due to overheating, it has a safety system and an automatic shut-off feature in case you’re warm enough already. If hygiene is a concern, there is an internal filtration system that also serves as the circulation and heating system. Although of course, sharing a jacuzzi with other people is always a “risk” when it comes to hygiene.
The design of the Spacruzzi is inspired by a teardrop so there’s space for the furnace and a small table in the middle so you can place your food and drinks. And of course, enough space to fit in the four-five people. There is also a ladder on the side so you can go into the sea and swim your heart out and go back to your boat when you want to relax again. You also have the option to customize it according to the color, wood and metal finishes, decking, etc.
I still probably won’t want to spend time in a small space and a jacuzzi in the middle of the ocean with even my closest friends in the spa with me. But hey, if that’s your dream, you just have to get ready with almost $50,000 to make it come true.
There are two chores that seem to be universally disliked or avoided by people of all ages. Washing dishes is one of those, even though it’s probably an easier task than most. Doing laundry, on the other hand, is indeed more laborious, especially if you consider that putting clean clothes away is part of the process. We have all sorts of advanced machines and substances that try to make life easier in that regard, but only as far as humans are concerned. It might come as a surprise that keeping our clothes clean can actually have a detrimental effect on the environment, though not because of the activity itself. Modern-day clothes and fabrics are at the heart of the problem, and this small yet ingenious device solves that in a way that won’t harm the environment in the long run, either.
Gulp – The design stops microplastic pollution from your laundry, with zero additional filter costs and no disposable parts.
We take clothes for granted because most of them are cheap to make and look harmless as far as sustainability goes. It’s a rather dirty secret of the textile and fashion industry, however, that many of the materials and processes used to make most fabrics are harming the planet. In addition to toxic chemicals used in dying fabrics, there are microplastics in the synthetic fibers used in making our clothes, tiny particles that eventually make their way into the ocean from our laundry and damage the marine ecosystem. Almost like poetic irony, these microplastics eventually end up in our water, food, and air and eventually enter our bodies.
More environment-conscious people may utilize laundry filters to separate those microplastics before they get released into waterways. Unfortunately, these filters themselves pose risks to the very environment they claim to protect, mostly because their filters have to be replaced and thrown away eventually, not to mention parts that have to be replaced regularly as well. In stark contrast, Gulp offers a holistic solution that simplifies the entire equation to make it effective and efficient every step of the way. No filters or parts to replace, no additional waste, and no harmful microplastics.
Gulp’s simple looks belie the advanced technology and design at work in this washing machine filter. You simply put the device on top or beside your washing machine and hook one end to the washing machine wastewater hose and the other end to your actual wastewater outlet. You then plug Gulp into a mains electric socket and go about your laundry as usual. You don’t need to adjust anything else in your personal system and can even keep using your preferred detergents.
Patented Technology – Gulp’s unique self-cleaning technology means there are no disposable filters or parts required throughout the product life cycle.
Gulp’s unique self-cleaning technology doesn’t require any additional filter and drains the water automatically, so you won’t need anything else as well. When the indicator light says it’s time to empty Gulp, you can simply remove the filter cup and empty out the captured microfibers in a waste bin. Rinse and repeat for a plastic-free and guilt-free laundry day.
What’s even better is that Matter, the creators of this sustainable product, has systems in place to give those microplastics a new home. Starting next year, you can send them your captured microfibers, which will be used for ongoing research or recycled into new materials and products. For just £149 (around $170), you can get a single Gulp to keep both your clothes and the planet clean without having to change your wardrobe or style.
When you live in a country where water shortage is not a problem, you can sometimes take for granted what is such a common necessity for your society. But there are countries where access to clean water is a major issue, contributing to various health and societal problems for certain people. So the world definitely needs more projects that will create easier and more accessible ways to produce clean, drinkable water. They get bonus points if they are able to create a sustainable solution for this as well.
Designer: Manhat
A start-up based in Abu Dhabi was able to conceptualize and come up with a solar-powered desalination system that can help solve water scarcity in areas that are near the ocean. The system resembles a floating greenhouse and is able to capture the water that evaporates on the surface of the ocean and then condense it and produce it as fresh water. Using solar radiation, it is able to separate the salt crystals from the condensed water and the collection cylinder stops the collected water droplets from going back into the sea.
This is actually not something new as the system has been used previously in several places around the world. What this new technology will bring is the system on a larger scale, including use in floating farms. This way fresh water can be used for their crops without needing water transportation and the emissions that come with it. They will also not bring more hard to the flora and fauna in the fresh water as the system does not produce brine since it doesn’t use any chemicals.
Since their design for the solar-powered system does not use water compression or doesn’t need to be heated, this is also more affordable compared to the current ones in the market. They also claim that this requires low maintenance and is also customizable to the needs of whoever will be using the system, whether it’s for a coastal community or a floating farm. The water that will be produced can be used for human consumption, agriculture, or even industries.
Eco-System pet fountain aims to revolutionize pet hydration by not only ensuring that your pets drink fresh water, but also ensuring they drink water that’s been appropriately filtered.
