Unlike other beverages, water is hardly associated with a ritual of mindfulness and appreciation. This is where the FilKa water filter carafe comes in. Simple shapes and transparent functionality are at the heart of the design of this sustainable product. FilKa consists of two glass objects: a fill and pass funnel, into which tap water is filled, and the actual carafe. Inserted into the funnel is a 3d-printed gray ceramic filter that is filled with activated charcoal pieces. These can be replaced as needed and disposed of ecologically eliminating the need for plastic cases found in similar products. FilKa uses the hourglass principle, the gradual, conditional filling and emptying of both halves - a process that takes time. The massive shape of the lower part - the carafe itself - invites you to consciously pour. This ritual is completed when both hands are used to pour the water into the accompanying set of glasses.
All glass objects were hand blown into plaster moulds.
The idea for the object came from writing a drinking journal and discovering that water consumption was mainly from plastic bottles instead of tap water. Afterwards the form was ideated through sketches and rough models and finalized with 3d-models which were printed and used as positive forms for plaster moulds. These plaster moulds would become the final tools to create the glass objects. One large carafe for four people, a small one for two people and a set of accompanying glasses were created in the glass workshops. The filter was 3d-printed out of black stoneware after creating the glass to ensure a good fit.
ideation + prototyping
glass production
clay 3d-printing
FilKa was a 4th semester project at kunsthochschule weissensee and was featured in the "glass - handformed matter" exhibition 2022. It won a Creative Conscience Award 2022 and was nominated for the Green Concept Award 2023 and the one&twenty Newcomer Awards 2023.
© Nick Geipel 2022 All rights reserved.