Holistic service design
Water coolers have used large plastic bottles that need to be sanitized and refilled back at the water plant, making the process unsustainable over long distances and logistically complex. By using a bag and box system, a greater volume can be transported more efficiently than plastic bottles, and the boxes can be folded and entered straight into recycling streams. We’ve also simplified the service and distribution model by using cloud connectivity. Each cooler has a weighing platform that communicates to the supplier how many liters of water are left. Once you’re low on water, new boxes are dispensed and delivered so you never run out. This saves admin staff time in organizing new deliveries and means there will be a constant flow of water in the office.
A modular design system
The boxes are lighter than traditional bottles, and they are rectangular rather than cylindrical, making them far easier to store and transport. The lighter boxes reduce any ergonomic risks to employees. We included a storage cabinet with a weighing platform to efficiently store the boxes and the cooler is beautifully designed to fit any modern office environment. We’ve provided the option to change the color of the front glass panel to match their environment or brand aesthetic. Unlike any other cooler, the Well Water has a 7” screen, allowing for information, branding, or advertising to be displayed. The unit is split into two parts; the top section is the cooler, and the bottom section is storage with the connected weighing platform. This modular thinking has allowed for a countertop version for offices that don’t have the space available for a freestanding machine.
The Outcome
The Well Water cooler has been designed to solve many of the problems of conventional water coolers, which have remained mostly unchanged over the last 20 years. The business model in place is much more efficient, sustainable, and scalable. Companies have access to clean and hygienic water, while the hassle of constantly ordering new bottles has disappeared with the use of smart technology. It’s an innovative solution set to disrupt the water cooler market by meeting modern standards of hygiene, flexibility and overall product experience. This project has been awarded the Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.