Ísbíltúr – Designed for survival 

Taking first place, team Ísbíltúr imagined a set of survival equipment for a world where water shortages and ecological collapse have become part of everyday life – and where the poorest in society have little or no access to clean water. Their product is a three-part kit designed to support hydration, including a mask and a device that prevents the eyes from drying out. 

Bacsaók – Turning sunlight into drinking water 

In second place, Bacsaók proposed Solar Death, a solar-powered energy dome that uses focused sunlight to distil water. Their concept is grounded in the reality that while only 1% of Earth’s water is drinkable, saltwater is in abundant supply. It is both simple and effective – producing drinking water using renewable energy, even in places where other solutions would fail. 

Code Noir – Fashion, reimagined                                                                                                                                                 

Code Noir, awarded third place, turned their focus to the fashion industry’s enormous water footprint. Their idea combined waterless garment cleaning with the collection and reuse of second-hand clothing. The result is a circular service model that makes sustainable fashion more accessible while dramatically reducing the industry’s water use. 

Special prize: Newwave – A portal for water 

Team Newwave received a special prize for their speculative, sci-fi-inspired concept. In their imagined future, water still available on Earth in the year 2500 is transported through a portal to the year 7125. Their time capsule-based portal system ensures the flow of water between past and future – both literally and symbolically. The project offers a fresh perspective on water scarcity, suggesting that technology alone isn’t enough, we need awareness and imagination, too. 

This year’s competition was sponsored by the Light Art Museum in Budapest, Jegy.hu, WWF, Arkki Hungary, Medencebag and PreMOME, all of whom contributed not only valuable prizes but also their expertise. 

The jury included architect and creativity coach Dóra Szentadrási  PhD; design theorist, semiotics lecturer, and mentor Péter  Wunderlich PhD; junior jury member and inspiring young designer Hanna Pap; architect, educator, co-founder of CAN Architects and Head of the Architecture BA progamme at MOME, and one of the competition’s longest-standing mentors András Cseh DLA;  and design educator, head of programme, and systems thinker Judit Bényei PhD. Warm thanks to all of them for their insights, time, and dedication.