Mayor of London Announces Winning Carafe Design for London On Tap Competition

London tap water costs less than a tenth of a penny per liter and emits 300 times less CO2 than bottled water alternatives.

Laurel Petriello -- Interior Design, 12/9/2008

As reported in our October 2008 Designwire Online Exclusive content, the London On Tap competition, a collaboration between Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Thames Water, garnered more than 100 entries vying for first place in a competition designed to encourage Londoners to drink tap water over bottled. Entrants submitted designs, for a new, sustainable, glass carafes, to be used by London’s bars, hotels and restaurants. Rising to the top of the list was winning design “Tap Top” by London-based industrial designer Neil Barron who received a £5,000 prize from Thames Water.

“London’s tap water is world-class. It’s around 500 times cheaper than bottled water; generates 300 times less carbon during production than its bottled water alternative; and tastes just as good, if not better. Drinking tap water just makes economic and environmental sense,” said David Owens, Thames Water’s chief executive. “We want to make our tap water accessible to everyone, and we want Londoners to be offered a choice about what they drink when they go out. Now they will be able identify our tap water with Neil’s stunning design, and drink the best water from the best bottle.”

The distinctive tapered glass of the winning design features four, drip-free pouring spouts that trap ice when the carafe is tipped. The carafe, which Barron describes as “tall, tapered and elegant, yet contemporary like an inverted rocket,” has already received attention and applause from the European design community. “Tap Top” will be manufactured in England in January, and on sale to the hospitality industry in spring 2009. Discussion to manufacture the design for public purchase is also underway.