Milan 2012: San Francisco designer Yves Béhar has updated the SodaStream system for making fizzy drinks at home and will present the new product as part of an installation at MOST in Milan this month. 

The SodaStream Source rethinks the form, materials and interface of the product, which was invented in 1903 to make carbonated drinks from tap water. A streamlined reusable bottle locks into place and the liquid is carbonated by a CO2 canister, with an LED display showing the carbonation settings.

The product will be presented at a bar designed by Béhar next to a chandelier made of 550 disposable plastic water bottles, demonstrating the amount of waste that can be avoided by using the SodaStream system.

See all of our stories about Yves Béhar here. We’ll also be at MOST with Dezeen Studio powered by Jambox – read more about it here.

Here are some more details from MOST:

SodaStream to Launch New Home Soda System Designed by Yves Béhar at Milan’s International Design Fair

The beverage industry is set for a shake-up as world-renowned designer and social entrepreneur Yves Béhar joins forces with SodaStream, the global leader in home carbonation. SodaStream Source, a new product line designed by Yves Béhar, will be presented at the highly anticipated MOST space in Milan’s Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia during the international design week.

Famed for his mantra of “reduce and refine,” Béhar’s concept re-examines every element of the SodaStream system, including the interface, design and material selection, redefining the way it is used. The monolithic shape of SodaStream Source expresses the simple efficiency of the system while making a strong design statement in the kitchen.

The elegantly redesigned carbonating bottle easily locks into place with a single-push motion. Powered by a CO2 canister, the refined mechanics ofSodaStream Source make the entire top surface responsive to touch, and the strength of carbonation is visible through an LED display, providing instant, visual feedback.

Yves Béhar explains, “Disposable water bottles are going away, and so they should, so now is the time to rethink our soda bottles as well. I am a big fan of the spirit of SodaStream which places environmental responsibility alongside family and fun at the centre of its purpose. SodaStream uses technology to reduce the complexity and waste of sparkling water and soda, and this is the quality I focused on; creating a simple and beautiful object for the kitchen while keeping 21st century values.”

Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of SodaStream, comments, ‘‘The collaboration with Béhar was natural for us. His track record proves that he is aligned with the same social and sustainability values as SodaStream, and his innovative designs are respected globally. At SodaStream we realise that world-class design is a prerequisite to securing space on the countertop, the most precious real estate in millions of kitchens worldwide. With Yves, we have combined outstanding design talent with best-in-class engineering resources to improve the functionality and ease-of-use of our products. The result is a system that looks beautiful, works well, and has mass appeal.’’

Plastic bottle waste is increasing at a worrying rate for the environment; about 460 billion bottles and cans are manufactured every year, and only about one-third of them get recycled. Until now, the threat of carbonated beverages has never been addressed, because there was no other option. SodaStream offers a better alternative by transforming tap water into sparkling beverages at home, with a reusable bottle. By using SodaStream the average family canprevent the unnecessary manufacture of many thousands of bottles and cans, most of which would end up in landfill.

The collaboration between SodaStream and Béhar is just the start of a global campaign. During the coming year SodaStream will also launch a home water centre by respected Italian designer Stefano Giovannoni, and a water vending machine by American designer Todd Bracher. These three new product launches are the beginning of a movement which marks the new and better future of the soft drink industry.

Read more about the highlights of MOST in our earlier story.

National Museum of Science and Technology,
Via Olona 6, 20123 Milan, Italy
Entrance through Via Olona 6

Dates: Tuesday 17 April, 10AM – 9PM Wednesday 18 April, 10AM – 6PM
Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 April, 10AM – 9PM Sunday 22 April, 10AM – 6PM
Press Preview: Monday 16 April, 3PM-7PM

www.mostsalone.com