Distributed engineering for sustainable access to drinking water

Hidden in the air is a precious resource: water. In the form of vapor, often invisible, atmospheric humidity represents a latent, widespread, and potentially inexhaustible source. This principle lies at the core of Water from Air, a project by Louisa Graupe and Julika Schwarz: a portable device capable of converting humidity into drinking water through the use of smart materials and additive manufacturing technologies, in a simple and replicable way.

At the heart of the device are MOFs (Metal Organic Frameworks), ultra-porous crystalline materials capable of selectively absorbing molecules present in the environment—a class of materials we discovered precisely through this project. In this case, water vapor is captured and then released in liquid form through a process activated by minimal heat sources.

Long studied in academic research, MOFs are now beginning to find real-world applications. Water from Air represents one of the first functional demonstrations of their practical use, opening promising scenarios for environmental engineering, climate resilience, and sustainable design.

When form follows function (and context)

Water from Air is not just a laboratory experiment. Here, form follows function—and function follows context. The device is designed to be fully manufactured through additive processes, using recycled filaments, with the clear exception of the MOF membrane. This choice makes the system easily reproducible and suitable for challenging environments, where even waste materials can become resources.

In crisis or emergency scenarios, the ability to locally reproduce a functional system becomes both a technical and social asset. It is a design choice that directly supports resilience and survival.

Essential design, real impact

The structure of the device combines efficiency with simplicity. Compact and modular, it can be easily transported, installed in a few steps, and maintained without advanced technical skills. The design minimizes unnecessary elements: every component serves a clear and essential purpose.

From the water collection chamber to the protective enclosure, everything is calibrated to be accessible, readable, and usable. In a world where technology often excludes, Water from Air is inclusive. It speaks not only to technicians, but to anyone in need of practical and reliable access to water.

Under favorable conditions, the device can produce up to 6 liters of drinking water per day, covering the daily water needs of an adult. No grid connection, no electricity—only atmospheric humidity and minimal ambient or solar heat. A solution capable of making a tangible difference where water access is intermittent or nonexistent.

A new way of designing water access

What impressed us about Water from Air is not only its effectiveness, but its ability to combine advanced materials, distributed design, and responsible engineering. At CHORA, we are passionate about engineering: we observe, analyze, and recognize well-executed design—and we draw inspiration for future applications.

Solutions like this demonstrate how innovation often emerges by rethinking constraints and recognizing potential where others see limits. Sometimes, innovation simply starts by looking at the air around us.

👉 To explore the Water from Air project further, visit the Behance profile of designer Julika Schwarz: https://www.behance.net/gallery/223198269/Water-from-Air