Dezeen promotion: Brooklyn creative space A/D/O is inviting architects and designers to submit proposals that tackle issues facing urban drinking water.

The Water Futures Design Challenge invites creatives to come up with ideas for solving global drinking water problems – from plastic bottle consumption to distribution in remote areas – as part of a year-long programme launching this month.

"The A/D/O Water Futures Research Program challenges designers to take action in reimagining our toxic drinking water culture," said a statement from A/D/O.

"The design challenge is a search for new ideas to facilitate change and encourages designers to collaborate with environmentalists, engineers, policy makers, city planners, and manufacturers."

Submissions are encouraged from a wide variety of approaches and disciplines, from packaging to infrastructure, and digital interfaces to material developments. They can offer a global solution, or be tailored to address a particular region.

Prizes and awards will be given to the most innovative proposals and projects, and selected entries will be exhibited at A/D/O's space in early 2019.

To enter, register for free via the A/D/O website, where more information is provided about the contest and wider programme.

Curated by London-based Jane Withers, the A/D/O Water Futures Research Program will include exhibitions, talks and other events focussed on and around the topic.

The programme kicked off with a symposium on 21 March 2018, when speakers included Upmanu Lall, director of Columbia University Water Center; Design Indaba founder Ravi Naidoo; Mary Miss of City as Living Laboratory; and Studio Swine's Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves.

Over the coming months, events will be divided into three water-related themed categories titled Harvesting the Sky (April to June 2018), Pollution and Purification (July to September 2018), and Drink Local (October to December 2018). Each will include a corresponding exhibition and events programme.

At the end of the year, a research paper will be compiled from the output of discussions, workshops and collaborations, and documentation of the design challenge.

Backed by car brand MINI, A/D/O opened in December 2016 in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighbourhood as a hub for designers and the public to work, interact and engage in events centred on the future of design.

It has already hosted numerous installations and exhibitions, including a clay-extruding factory set up by London collective Assemble, an interactive showcase by PlayLab Inc that forced visitors to consider their preferences, and a prototype micro home with playful appendages by Bureau V.