"With the Vienna Water Pitcher, Vienna’s high-quality drinking water has received a unique packaging," said Vienna’s Executive Councillor of the Environment, Ulli Sima, who was particularly pleased with the double effect of the initiative. "On the one hand, we wish to further raise public awareness regarding the unique quality of Vienna’s drinking water. On the other hand, drinking tap water avoids environmentally harmful plastic bottles. The best proof that we are heading in the right direction was the vivid participation of the population in the election!"
The chairman of the expert jury, Professor James Skone of the University of Applied Arts, commented on the decision of the jury: "The choice was made by a majority of votes. The ‘Exquisite Drop’ expresses the uniqueness of Vienna’s water by its elegant und classical form. Pitcher and glasses are high and slender. Experts, the public, as well as many well-known personalities are convinced that water served in this pitcher will become a very special treat!"
Altogether 18 junior designers had submitted ideas for the Vienna Water Pitcher. Three finalists were eventually selected, who had to face a public vote and a practical test by many prominent people. Next to the winning project, the models "Pur" (Pure) by Barbara Gollackner and "Undine" by Katharina M. Bruckner and Herbert Klamminger reached the final round.
Due to the almost equal number of votes for Pur and Undine, the expert jury decided to award two second places. A jury prize was also awarded, which honoured courage and risk-taking in design. This prize went to the model "christal quest" by Gerin Trautenberger/Microgiants Industrial Design GmbH. Serial production of the winning pitcher – plus matching glasses – will start already before summer.
At this time, the initiative "Water on tour" will be launched – with Viennese water being served in different places of the federal capital. The initiators already work out cooperations with the Viennese gastronomy.
The design competition endowed with a total of e 12,000 was organised by the "Initiative Abfallvermeidung", a working group of Vienna’s Environment Department aiming to reduce waste amounts, and the Vienna Waterworks (MD 31). Further online information at www.natuerlich.wien.at
(Source: aqua press Int. 2/2005)
