Dezeen Magazine

Drilling Lab stacks aluminium tubes to form vessels in Water Pipe Series

Taiwan design studio Drilling Lab has created a selection of aluminium vessels that look like they're made from sections of industrial water pipes (+ slideshow).

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

Drilling Lab founder Lu-Wei Chen designed a series of cast-aluminium parts based on pieces that could form a system of pipes for transporting water.

"I created new objects based upon the concept of industrial water pipe system, by casting an aluminium alloy and lathe working," Chen told Dezeen.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

The set of parts can be fixed together in different combinations to form pitchers, bottles and containers.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

"I wanted to create something that is flexible and fun to be assembled," said Chen. "Users could bring their imagination and creativity into full play, and at the same time, the object could be kept long because of their multi applications."

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

Pan-like bases pair with funnel-shaped tops that narrow to thinner tubes, into which cork stoppers fit to seal the vessels.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

Sections are joined with nuts and bolts around wide lips, which can also be used as a surface for attaching handles.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

"Each has its own compositions as well as functions respectively, while both could be deconstructed and reassembled," Chen said. "Therefore they are very open to users' creativity."

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

He hopes users will come up with their own applications for the parts, which could include ice buckets or watering cans.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

The Water Pipe Series is currently at prototype stage.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab

Other designers have used aluminium to form benches and stools that look like folded metallic paper, and a clothes rail inspired by scaffolding.

Water Pipe Series by Drilling Lab