Water conservation and water reuse are buzz words in modern day society and bathrooms have been the target of technological innovations seeking to address these concerns. W+W, designed by Burrati + Battiston Architects for Roca, reuses water from the sink to fill the toilet bowl, thereby reducing water consumption by 25% in comparison to a standard dual flush toilet.

Plugless sink. Designed by Maja Ganszyniec.

Likewise, Digitecture by Grohe (and the Ondus Collection) ensures that water has reached the desired temperature prior to dispensing, thereby eliminating the wasted water previously generated as the user waited. Clever and successful as these innovations may be, some are left wondering why technology is needed for such a simple problem. Polish product designer Maja Ganszyniec introduces an alternative to the high-tech design solutions: Plugless sink. It is exactly that, a sink without a plughole (or drain). Rather than relying on technology it relies on people. It was “inspired by the old traditional bowls for domestic water usage,” according to the designer. “To get rid of the grey water we have to tip the water out. By doing so we become more conscious of how much water we are using and mainly throwing away. This sink shows the value of water through its volume and promotes water re-usage.”

Whether good-will or guilt (at repeatedly dumping bowls of water down a drain,) users are faced with indisputable proof of the amount of water they are using and/or wasting and will theoretically adjust their habits as a result. Plugless sink looks back in time rather than forward, understanding how our water consumption effectively got out of control in the first place. Plugless sink doesn’t aim to punish humans for excessive consumption. She explains, “this sink allows to use the water in a more traditional and, I believe, much more enjoyable and pleasant way.”