Poietic Studio's latest project, the Tropism Well, is a drinking fountain with a difference. As you approach it, it gently bows down to pour water into your glass...

Richard Harvey and Keivor Stainer formed Poietic a few months ago and the Tropism Well is their second project. Apparently making use of the "natural laws of physics to function", say the designers, "once it has seen you, the gently bowing motion is created simply by moving water up and down the stem."

Not only is it an enchanting installation (check out the reactions to it in the video below) but a political one, too. In distributing water this way in a public space, it rarefies the experience, turning the way we access drinking water into something special, rather than an act we should simply regard as a right.

"We plan to use Tropism Wells at festivals and events," say Poietic, "and also open up conversations for permanent installations to replace the current ageing drinking fountains in public space."

Harvey featured in last year's graduate editon of CR and, along with spatial designer Stainer, the aim of Poietic is to bring their combined knowledge of art, design and engineering into practice, with an emphasis on creating tangible experiences. More on the Tropism Well at poietic.co.uk.

The word "tropism" relates to the growth response of a plant to external stimulus, while Poietic comes from the Greek word for "creative maker".

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