I have always been a huge fan of Benjamin Hubert and his work at Layer Design Studio. My interest in his product designs began with Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Emerge bookshelf speaker, and since I have been following the studio’s creative projects. Layer’s standout pieces, including the classic oil-based lamp, showcased during the 2025 Milan Design Week, are an example of its innovative approach to utilizing traditional household objects in a modern way.
Another great creation from the exhibition is the ‘Collect,’ a portable rainwater harvesting system developed in collaboration with MDF Italia and Kvadrat. It is designed for those who want a simple yet stylish way to gather and store water. The rainwater harvesting system showcases Layer’s innovative design approach to rethink everyday objects for contemporary living.
Ideal for small-scale use, this portable rain catchment tower works much like a rain saucer. It captures and channels rainwater into a storage container such as a rain barrel. However, Benjamin Hubert has taken the concept further by adding filtration components along with water collection. This way, the harvested rainwater is purified and made safe for drinking.
The Collect portable rainwater harvesting system captures rain on a special Kvadrat Atrium fabric, which then passes through ceramic and carbon filters to make sure it is safe to use. The clean water is stored in a reservoir that expands as it fills for efficient storage when needed.
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The designer has paid special attention to aesthetics apart from its functionality. Featuring two conical parts and a metal stand, the Collect rainwater harvesting system is designed to serve as a decorative feature. Thanks to its modular design, the entire system can be easily disassembled and stored away when not in use during the dry season.
