A SENSE OF PLACE! ---RATIONALE---

Rationale "A sense of place"

The aim was to enhance an existing public place in the community through innovative design. This resulted in designing a new water bubbler system to encourage people to drink water and use reusable drinking bottles rather than bottled water and reduce plastic bottle waste to landfill along with minimising the cost to Council in plastic bottle collection, recycling and removal from Storm water traps. 

The location I chose to improve on is a local park in Burwood—“Burwood Park” inner west suburb 2134. Many locals visit the park throughout the day whether to meditate, exercise, picnic, bbq and play sports. So staying hydrated especially on the sunny days is vital for individuals and so placing upgraded bubblers around the park will have its benefits to not only us but also minimising the dependence on buying bottled water, which has significant environmental impacts resulting from groundwater extractions, bottling and transport.

This will be mass manufactured and easily placed in other areas. Council's Waste Strategies and Education Officer Nicky Julian says  …"Actively encouraging the community to refill their personal water bottles at a drinking station will play a significant role in reducing natural resources used and greenhouse gases emitted in the production, transportation, refrigeration and disposal of water bottles."

Vandalism prevention features include a hood over the bubbler head, concealed fixings, selection of aluminium for construction, polyester powder coating. 

Operation is simple with a push button operation which makes the H2O Bubbler easy to use, either using it as a bubbler or refilling your water bottle as well as a dog bubbler on the back panel with another press of a button; which uses recycled filtered water from the bubbler. there is also a drainage button to release the unwanted/left over water, this is for hygienic purposes.

The organic look of the shape also adds the natural sense of a park feel. This creates a new outdoor lifestyle as this furniture piece provides a modern twist in the eye of a public space, inviting families, couples and children to use the H2O station to stay hydrated. I believe that this is suited to Burwood Park, being around for many decades there have been alterations added such as street lights, fences and coverage—always being re-newed so having this seating furniture would bring the park more life as it adds a modern touch to it, drawing more attention to the quiet areas of the park.