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We always felt that there is nothing wrong with drinking tap water if there is nothing wrong with it and you are happy with the taste of it. In many instances a nice presentation can enhance tap water or water from a PET bottle.
Launched in May 2008, the competition ran for three months and received over 115 entries. Ten designs were shortlisted for final judging in September 2008 and on December 1, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson announced ‘Tap Top’ as the winning design.
The winning carafe, designed by London-based designer Neil Barron, will be used to serve tap water in restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels throughout the capital – underpinning the city’s commitment to providing high quality drinking water whilst reducing the environmental impact of packaging and transporting bottled water.
The competition was aimed at London based designers, to showcase the quality of design and craftsmanship associated with a city, which enjoys a reputation as the design capital of the world.
The winning designer received a one-off award of £5,000, sponsored by Thames Water.
Profits made from the sale of the carafe (after costs for set-up, manufacturing and distribution) will go to leading charity WaterAid – who provide vital water resources to some of the world’s poorest people. The minimum donation to WaterAid per carafe sold will be £1. Thames Water, The Mayor of London and the Crafts Council will make no profit from the project.
The design
The carafe design is derived from a stylised tap to subtly reinforce the tap water message. It has four pouring spouts which are drip-free and instinctive to use. The form produces a waistline with four exits which helps to trap the ice when pouring. The carafe is tall, tapered and elegant, yet quirky and contemporary.
The designer
Neil Barron is a London based industrial designer and part-time senior tutor at the Royal College of Art. He has produced many mainstream commercial products for clients including; Intel, Boots, Thulé, Body Shop, Lego, Escada, Unilever and E.ON. Neil thrives on the challenge to create the new, but tries to think and act responsibly regards environmental, cultural and social issues.
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