At the heart of the GROHE brand lies a profound respect for water—an understanding that this essential resource is both a universal right and a source of daily joy. It is only natural, then, that we created the GROHE Water Prize to honor research that pushes forward new thinking around water-related challenges at the World Architecture Festival.
This year, I had the pleasure of joining Paul Finch and Jeremy Melvin from WAF, alongside Patrick Speck of LIXIL Global Design Europe/MEA, to review a record number of submissions: 40 entries from across the globe. After thoughtful debate, the jury awarded the $10,000 prize to “Waterspaces” by Diego Rivero Borrell and Lucia Lozano of Rizoma del Agua, based in Mexico City.
Mexico City—a metropolis built on a lake—faces the paradox of water being either desperately scarce or overwhelmingly abundant. Today, many residents rely almost entirely on bottled water, sometimes spending up to 10% of their income on what should be a public resource. This dependence also generates significant environmental impact, as single-use water bottles contribute heavily to local pollution. Waterspaces seeks to restore equitable access to this vital element while reducing this burden.
Working closely with the community in the Chimalhuacán area of Mexico City, through workshops and consultations, the team developed a natural rainwater-filtration system capable of delivering up to 23,000 liters per year. The jury appreciated not only the technical intelligence of the solution but also its social dimension: the system doubles as a communal space, positioned near a sports facility that already serves as a local gathering point. A solar panel powers the pump, drawing from a 10,000-liter underground cistern that stores the filtered water.
What struck us all was the project’s elegance—its simplicity, its scalability, and its capacity to empower a community by involving them directly in the solution. It is a model that can be replicated across Mexico and far beyond.
The prize funding will help support construction of the first system ahead of the next rainy season in April. Congratulations to Diego and Lucia: we look forward to following them as their vision becomes reality!
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