Formafantasma’s Delicately Engraved Glass and Copper ‘Still’ Vases Purify Water Using Activated Charcoal

Italian designer duo Formafantasma created a charming collection of objects that purifies “the most humble and fundamental of all drinks”. They called it “Still” and it consists of a series of carefully engraved crystal and copper vessels paired with activated charcoal designed to purify and improve the taste of tap water. Created for Viennese company J. & L. Lobmeyr, these unique handcrafted objects clean water in a simple yet very sophisticated way.

Formafantasma designed “Still” by carefully choosing materials and shapes with the aim of elevating water purification into a beautiful daily ritual. While the patterns engraved onto the crystal hint microscopic views of bacteria found in rivers, the copper filters resemble religious items. These subtle references and specific materiality invite the user to handle the pieces with care, enhancing the overlooked daily act of hydrating ourselves.

Formafantasma’s investigation into water-purification started back in 2012 with their Charcoal collection for Vitra Design Museum, and “Still” is their second project using the same technique.

This primitive filtration method is not a new discovery; in fact it’s been widely used in ancient Egypt. It works by firstly activating the charcoal, a process that involves perforating it with tiny holes, increasing its surface area so it can more efficiently remove and filter impurities from water.

You can see more of Formafantasma’s beautiful designs on their website.

Photos courtesy of Formafantasma