Green at Inception:
A Hummer with low emissions, streamlined manufacturing, and recyclable components is still a Hummer. Changing the efficiency, processes and the materials of the vehicle within realistic marketable limitations, will not result in a sustainable product lifecycle. In order for us to reach a system of life on earth that we can maintain, we must make serious changes to what we consume and how much we consume. All of our future's gadgets must help by promoting behavioral change and increased understanding of the impact we're making. Without a green purpose as fuel at the inception of a product, it will never be a "greener gadget."

Behavioral change has recently become a necessity in many southern cities in the US (Atlanta and Raleigh) as municipal water supplies come dangerously close to being exhausted by lasting droughts. Broad calls have been made to severely reduce water usage in metropolitan cities around the world. This is the type of need that should prompt the creation of greener devices.

Design Overview:
The Aperture showerhead combats excessive water use by informing users and allowing them to take control of their water consumption. The amount of water flowing through the showerhead is measured and displayed. A flow regulator allows the user to reduce the amount of water consumed per minute. These features help users make their showers shorter and more efficient.

An internal micro hydroelectric generator powers the Aperture showerhead. The consumption meter shuts down and resets to zero once water stops flowing through the generator. At the end of the product's life, the simple two part snap-fit construction makes disassembly easy so that individual components can be recycled.