LifeStraw is winner of the INDEX: people's choice award

Designed in: Netherlands, Denmark, Israel

Problem: Getting clean water to people in developing countries.
The world's greatest killer is diarrhoeal diseases from bacteria like typhoid, cholera, E. coli, salmonella etc.



Solution: With LifeStraw™ which lasts for one person's annual needs of clean water, nobody needs to die from these diseases. This design is made with special emphasis on avoiding any moving parts, to disregard spare parts, and to avoid the use of electricity, which does not exist in many areas in the Third World.

But as force is needed to implement the filtering, LifeStraw™ uses the natural source of suckling that even babies are able to perform.

The LifeStraw™ is produced at a price that people in the business find hard to believe, but it is essential to be able to present an affordable price to the consumer in the Third World. So far the product is not marketed yet, but after intensive laboratory tests we are now conducting field tests to observe where the filter could be improved for users. When fully used in the Third World this will indeed be a lifesaver.

» Click here to read the interview with the lead designer

INDEX: is a world event for design and innovation set to take place every four years in Copenhagen. It will be launched in September 2005.


The 2005 event features:

• INDEX: Award, the world's largest design and innovation awards
• Two major international design exhibitions
• A summit for the world's creative leaders.

INDEX: is also an international network of designers, corporations, organizations and design institutions that collaborate in disseminating and applying the latest knowledge within the field of design embraced by the INDEX: event.



2005 INDEX Award Nominee
How did this design improve life?:
The Simple Toilet, pissoir, bidet, washbasin, sink and bin are household sanitation devices for poor conditions where no water is available. They can be hand-made in minutes from common or waste materials and need only a cup of water for operation. They are also odour-free, portable and can re-use water and waste. Their construction involves survival skills that enable people in need to immediately improve their living conditions without depending on any external aid. People can learn them in hours and even develop their own technique for assembly and use. It is a short-term solution for emergency situations and a long-term solution for the poorest worldwide.

INDEX: is a world event for design and innovation set to take place every four years in Copenhagen. It will be launched in September 2005. Events will be featured every fourth year from 2005. The network seeks to ensure that the recommendations set up by the world's creative leaders during the 2005 Views summit will be put to the test before the second INDEX: event in 2009. INDEX: Award is just one of several events focusing on Design to Improve Life. In 2005, INDEX: will stage the following events:

• INDEX: Award, with focus on what Design to Improve Life is. The best international examples of Design to Improve Life will be exhibited and a select few will be awarded.
• Views — Charter for Improved Life, a summit for the world's leading creative minds who are set to formulate how designers can work with Design to Improve Life and thus address important global issues.
• Future Scenarios, which illustrates the importance of working with Design to Improve Life.

» Click here to find out more