Geocaches hidden in manhole covers celebrating 150 years of clean drinking water history. A concept that revolutionizes our perception of urban infrastructure.
Communities and myths have always formed around water sources. In Helsinki, we are fortunate to drink some of the best water in the world, easily and affordably.
The Design Problem: How do we increase the user's experience of water's value? How do we evoke feelings of gratitude and care for our excellent water system?
150 years of world-renowned purity. Our mission is to bring a fresh perspective to a resource often taken for granted, highlighting the security and quality that sustains our city.
Honoring the dedication of generations. We foster a culture of appreciation, connecting citizens to the privilege of having the world's best tap water delivered directly to their homes.
Celebrating the invisible everyday wonder. Water is a vital system that goes unnoticed when it flows. We aim to make this hidden infrastructure visible and celebrated.
Expresses gratitude through a timeless and traditional medium, illustrating the celebration of clean water.
Increases visibility through a game that transforms citizens into active participants of the jubilee year by offering an engaging activity.
Utilizes digital tools to manifest the celebration. Exploring AR and web interfaces to make the anniversary an interactive experience for citizens.
The design revolved around creating a realistic water pattern that would become even more noticeable through patina from weather conditions.
To create a coherent street aesthetic, the design respects the text placement and proportions of a standard HSY manhole cover.
We explored various concepts, eventually pivoting from decorative art covers to an interactive urban game. Our goal was to foster gratitude for our water supply without relying heavily on digital overlays like AR. We wanted the physical city to be the playground.
Our final concept transforms everyday city infrastructure into an interactive experience celebrating 150 years of clean water. We developed a geocaching experience centered on discovering the "Story of Water," inviting citizens to find codes on the street and unlock chapters online.
Secondary Brand Color
Fresh & Recognizable
Festive & Distinctive
The campaign extends to street-level construction fences with a practical function. The design provides game instructions and guides players, inspiring citizens to start their geocaching journey.
The cover features a wave texture designed to evolve with the environment. A modular bronze insert system provides the opportunity to display unique game codes while keeping the base manhole cover standard, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
