growing kettle by chris jackson from new zealand

‘Boiling a kettle half full instead of full four times a day could save you enough electricity to run a TV set for four hours’

It is these small details in everyday life that can make a real change to the amount of energy we use, however it is often these that get overlooked.

The traditional method of indicating a kettles content using the clear window in the side cannot be seen when filling the kettle up and is often ignored. But, if the physical size of the kettle increased as it was filled, this would discourage over filling and create a stronger visual indication of the amount of water used.

After experimenting in the kitchen sink we hit upon the idea of using the principle of fishing floats. A marker rises with the increasing water level, and gives the user a physical indication of the water they are using, without compromising the functionality of the object.

The resulting design references a conventional kettle, but has a more graphic, sculptural aesthetic that differentiates it from other standard white goods. When filled through the spout, the distinctive aerial rises through the top of the lid, and a series of notches indicate the number of cups of water to be boiled.

Made from HDPE, the ‘growing kettle’ would be available in a series of contemporary colour ways, would be designed for disassembly, and be 100% recyclable.