Ripple Glassware Series by Seda Palanduz and Merve Bahar is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award in Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Competition Category.
IronKitchenware· 2026
Ripple Glassware Series
by Seda Palanduz and Merve Bahar
Client: Kapp Industrial Kitchen Equipment
A' Design Award Winner in Kitchenware Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #174693The Design
About Ripple Glassware Series
Inspired by the rhythmic motion of water, the Ripple series reinterprets classic glassware using modern materials. Designed for hotels, restaurants, and cafes, it combines the look of glass with the durability of food-safe polypropylene. The wave-like texture improves grip and reduces slipping, while precision molding creates a clear, glass like finish. Lightweight, impact resistant, stackable, and recyclable, Ripple supports efficient service and practical use in commercial settings.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award
Ripple Glassware Series is an Iron A' Design Award winner, a prestigious recognition granted to good designs that meet the professional and industrial requirements expected from well-designed creations. Iron winners demonstrate great skill, high specialization, expert understanding, and creative capacity of their creators. Ripple Glassware Series is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished creation that is practical and innovative. This Iron A' Design Award-winning design integrates industry best practices and has competent technical characteristics linked with know-how and talent. Ripple Glassware Series is respected for its thoroughness and is designed to provide quality of life improvements that help make the world a better place.
Interviews
Grand Interview
The Ripple Glassware Series achieves something that many in the tableware industry have long considered a significant design paradox, namely the optical clarity and refined elegance of glass rendered faithfully in food-safe polypropylene through precision mold engineering. Could you walk us through the specific moment or realization during the development of the Ripple Glassware Series where you knew the material and the form had truly come together to honor that balance between visual sophistication and structural resilience?
The moment I knew Ripple had truly come together was when we held the first functional prototype in our hands. From the beginning, my goal was not simply to create another glassware collection, but to establish a meaningful physical connection between the user and the product.When the wave-inspired texture started to create both a visual rhythm and a comfortable tactile experience, I realized we were achieving something beyond aesthetics. At that point, Ripple became more than a serving vessel—it became an experience that could be felt as much as it could be seen.
The growing conversation around sustainable alternatives in the hospitality industry has made the choice of recyclable polypropylene in the Ripple Glassware Series particularly timely and relevant for professionals seeking durable yet environmentally responsible solutions. How do you envision the Ripple Glassware Series contributing to a broader shift in how the HoReCa sector approaches the lifecycle and material responsibility of everyday drinkware, particularly in high-volume luxury venues where breakage and waste are persistent operational concerns?
In today's hospitality industry, sustainability is no longer defined solely by material selection; it is increasingly about the entire lifecycle of a product.I believe Ripple contributes to this shift by offering a durable, recyclable alternative that reduces breakage-related waste while maintaining a premium guest experience. Its long service life makes it particularly valuable in high-volume hospitality environments where replacement rates can be significant.What matters most to me, however, is demonstrating that responsible design and sophisticated design can coexist. Ripple shows that environmental awareness does not have to come at the expense of aesthetics, quality, or experience.
The precision mold engineering behind the Ripple Glassware Series produces a crystal-like surface finish that mimics glass while retaining the impact resistance and lightweight qualities of polypropylene, a technical achievement that required deep interdisciplinary collaboration with an engineering team. What specific breakthroughs in the mold development process allowed the Ripple Glassware Series to achieve that remarkable surface clarity, and what did that collaborative engineering journey reveal about the boundaries of injection-molded drinkware design that you had not anticipated at the outset?
One of the most important technical achievements was ensuring that the three-dimensional wave texture maintained visual consistency from every viewing angle.The surface is not merely decorative; it is central to the identity of the collection. This meant that every curve, transition, and repetition had to perform consistently throughout the manufacturing process.Working closely with the engineering team revealed how even the smallest geometric adjustments could dramatically influence perception. In some cases, fractions of a millimeter made the difference between a surface that felt static and one that conveyed movement and rhythm.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The Ripple series offers both a visual and tactile experience with its rhythmic surface texture. Thanks to the durability of polypropylene, it reinterprets the elegance of traditional glass through modern techniques, making it suitable for professional use.
Its lightweight and impact-resistant structure makes it ideal for the luxury segment of the HoReCa industry. Designed for refined venues such as beach bars, yachts, poolside areas, and rooftop lounges, Ripple delivers more than just a way to serve drinks it creates a memorable moment for the user. - Dimensions & Packaging
- The series consists of the following four main forms:
Whiskey glass: Content 300 ml, Diameter 79 - 80 mm, Height 95 mm
Wine glass: Content 350 ml, Diameter 77 - 78 mm, Height 192 mm
Beer glass: Content 600 ml, Diameter 81- 82 mm, Height165 mm
Cocktail glass: Content 350 ml, Diameter 68 - 70mm, Height 160 mm - Tags
- Polypropylene glass, HoReCa tableware, Drinking glass, Durable drinkware, Luxury barware
- Production Technology
- The Ripple series is produced using special molds and injection technology, with high-quality, food-safe polypropylene. Crystal like effects reminiscent of glass are achieved through precise mold engineering. Despite its lightweight structure, it offers high impact resistance, is dishwasher-safe, and durable enough for industrial use. All forms are made from recyclable materials and are available in translucent color options.
- Design Challenge
- Creating a three-dimensional surface effect in polypropylene requires high precision in mold production. At the same time, the surface must be durable, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing.
Reproducing the elegance of glass using a safe material presents a design and manufacturing challenge of balance one that is achieved through interdisciplinary collaboration. - Research
- Throughout the design process, user behaviors and usage scenarios within the HoReCa sector are thoroughly analyzed. Visual clarity, stackability, and ergonomic use are prioritized. To optimize the design both aesthetically and technically, various prototypes are developed. Traditional sketching methods are supported by digital 3D modeling tools throughout the process. A multidisciplinary collaboration with the engineering team is carried out to ensure that the final molded product is free from deformation, has high surface quality, and establishes a strong interaction with light.
- Inspiration
- The Ripple series takes inspiration from rhythm and flow. The wave-like traces left by water and the repetitive patterns in nature shape its design language. Reinterpreting the classic glass form, the series blends aesthetics, lightness, and durability. Its rhythmic texture, paired with architectural simplicity and modern materials, adds refined dynamism to any setting.
Specially developed for the HoReCa sector, it enhances the sensory experience of beverage service in luxurious spaces like beach clubs, poolside lounges, and upscale restaurants. - Project Duration
- The design process begins in January 2024 in Izmir and is completed in April 2025. The product is launched shortly thereafter under the Kapp brand.
- Operation Flow
- The Ripple series, with its simple yet striking form, invites a rethinking of how drinks are presented. The wave-inspired surface not only enhances ergonomic grip but also offers a practical, non-slip advantage.
Its stackable design saves space behind the bar and allows for safe use in high-paced service environments without the worry of breakage.
What truly defines the series is its interaction with light: the rhythmic patterns on the surface refract light, giving the glasses a vibrant and sophisticated look in any setting. This transforms ordinary drink service into an aesthetic experience. - Patents
- 202501650
- Team Members
- Seda Palanduz
Merve Bahar
Delphine Gamze Heynen
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