Designwire Online Exclusive: Pour It On

More than 100 entries have been narrowed to 10 short-listed designs.

Mark McMenamin -- Interior Design, 10/1/2008

Spring, sparkling, or … tap? Haughty waiters will drop the dismissive tone, at least across the pond, as the first-ever London on Tap Design Competition enters the short-list phase. Sponsored by Thames Water and the Mayor of London, the design-off aims at boosting the use of the city's drinking water while underlining the large carbon footprint of the bottled stuff. More than 100 entrants were instructed to design a 1-liter glass carafe that embodies the best qualities of contemporary design and craftsmanship.

The 10 designs that made the final cut are now being prototyped. A diverse jury, from celebrity chef Aldo Zilli to starchitect Zaha Hadid, selects the winner on November 13. As the champ collects approximately $8,600, the fêted carafe will be mass-produced for its ultimate destination: London restaurants and bars. Profits from those purchases will go to WaterAir, which helps the poor around the world gain access to potable water. Now that's refreshing.