Berlin, Germany
Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental necessity, and innovative public infrastructure can play a vital role in making it available to everyone.
The Drinking Water Fountain is a remarkable example of how thoughtful design and functionality can come together to create an inclusive and sustainable solution for public spaces.
Drinking Fountain · Water-Bow byIONDESIGN, won a 2025 Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies.
Inspired by the natural movement of water, the fountain features a flowing, sculptural appearance that looks as though it has been shaped by water itself.
Its elegant, curved form is not only visually striking but also highly practical. Designed for use from all directions, the fountain allows people to drink directly and refill bottles of any size with ease, making it convenient for everyday use.
Inclusivity is at the heart of the design. The barrier-free structure ensures that wheelchair users can access and operate the fountain comfortably and independently.
This commitment to universal accessibility enables people of all ages and abilities to enjoy fresh drinking water without obstacles.
The fountain’s distinctive open-ring design symbolises a bowl while eliminating the need for a traditional trough, reducing the risk of dirt accumulation and making maintenance simpler and more hygienic.
In addition, an integrated floor-level bowl provides a dedicated drinking area for dogs, ensuring that pets can also benefit from easy access to fresh water.
To further enhance public health, the fountain incorporates an electroless flushing system that supports drinking water hygiene and helps maintain water quality.
This combination of advanced technology and user-centred design reflects a forward-thinking approach to urban infrastructure.
Recognising its outstanding achievement, the German Design Award praised the fountain for combining aesthetic excellence with functional performance, highlighting its sustainable, intuitive, and universally accessible design.
By successfully merging form and function, the Drinking Water Fountain serves as a model for the future of public amenities and demonstrates how design can improve everyday life for both people and animals.
Project: Drinking Fountain · Water-Bow
Designers: Christoph Fleckenstein, Anja Götz, Tom Ruthenberg,
IONDESIGN GmbH
Manufacturer: Markus and Maximilian Behr, H. & Ph. Behr Giesserei GmbH & Co KG
