Monitoring water to stimulate conversations for designing systemic water use

A focus on the food service sector The relationship between design and water is not a new topic within the design discipline and design research. Design has long focused on objects associated with water in various domestic areas where it is used: bathrooms (taps, sinks, showers, swimming pools, rainheads, etc.), kitchens (taps, dishwashers, etc.), and laundry rooms (taps, washing machines, etc.). In many cases, water has influenced the form of these objects, but they have rarely been designed to manage water differently for a more conscious use of this resource. Additionally, while the overall water consumption of a household or facility is generally known, the amount used for individual processes often remains unclear. Monitoring water consumption at specific points can be a crucial first step in raising awareness about resource use, stimulating conversations about how design can contribute to more sustainable water use through a systemic design approach. A research project within the food service sector, specifically a canteen, where the author is primarily involved, serves as a case study to explore and discuss this theory through a self-reflection inquiry. This case study demonstrates that applying a systemic design approach from the outset enabled a different understanding of the selected food service context, viewing the canteen as a system where multiple processes involving various resources occur. This approach led to a focus on water use, resulting in monitoring activities aimed at understanding exactly how and how much water is used at specific points. This activity increased ecological awareness within the project team and stimulated meaningful conversations about the relationship between water and design, laying the groundwork for developing innovative design concepts that help to prevent or reduce water consumption. In the current context, where freshwater availability is increasingly threatened by climate change, this approach can also be applied in different sectors to foster a more conscious use of this vital resource.