Since its inception in 2001, Indesign: The Event has made a point of celebrating the exhibition space as much as its exhibitors, allowing the industry’s top creatives to transform the showrooms into interactive and immersive spaces for the purpose of surprise and spectacle. For almost a decade, the event has featured The Project – a People’s Choice award dedicated to the most impressive and most inspirational installation featured across the event’s running period.

Aside from a keyword in place each year to guide design decisions, the scope of each installation is limited only to the imaginations of each respective exhibitor and a partnered architect. Perhaps inevitably and much to our enjoyment, this can often lead to some wild designs.

The keyword for 2017 was CLICK, celebrating the power of instant connections. And the winner – deservedly so – was Zip Water, working in collaboration with renowned architectural firm SJB.

The Zip installation featured a myriad of cascading nylon threads, suspended from the ceiling above so as to enclose the exhibition space without boxing it in with any static or impenetrable elements. The purpose of the nylon in the installation was twofold – the first reason, as suggested, was to create an ephemeral threshold, reminiscent of cascading water and fluid in a similar way to the purpose of the products within. Moving in time to any gentle breeze or an accidental brush, viewers on the outside were afforded glimpses of seemingly floating tapware, as their mirrored plinths remained largely camouflaged. The second reason, however, may not have been as evident – save for only the most investigative guests. Made from recycled plastic, the nylon threads invoke the exact cause that Zip seeks to embody.

Zip not only makes water look and taste good, but investing in high quality tapware also removes the need to replace, replace, replace, and reduces our unhealthy obsession with bottled water and the plastic nightmare that comes with it.

What can I say? Some things simply click.

The installation served as the backdrop to Zip’s new Vestal water units and their latest product launch, the new All-In-One Celsius ARC, which delivers all home water needs imaginable from a single tap. The All-In-One Celsius ARC combines instant filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water with a regular mixer tap for unfiltered hot and cold-water options, de-cluttering the kitchen sink without sacrificing functionality. This much has been a design trend for some time now, as the contemporary kitchen adopts more of the functionality of the dining room – demanding a sleeker aesthetic to compensate. However, that’s not to say Zip’s latest offering is all looks and no substance, showing off advanced energy efficiency and top-tier cooling technology.

Of course, we expected no less. You’ll just have to forgive us for craving our very own customised sparkling water inspired Cocktail Tasting Station that was featured on the day.

Team Indesign wishes to congratulate Zip Water and SJB on winning Sydney Indesign 2017’s best Project Award!