How can water be conserved in small urban apartment kitchens? The solution, Portable steam-powered countertop dishwater. Nearly 70% of households have dishwashers, but only 20% use them regularly. Interviews with urban millennials show that dishwashers are rarely used. This is because of the time of the washing cycle or needing more dishes to fill the entire dishwasher, making running it feel like a waste of water.

As a way to encourage the use of dishwashers, I designed a steam-powered countertop dishwasher. That will save space and give people who need a dishwasher an easy and athletically pleasing solution.

Using inspiration from large kitchen brands, my design has a streamlined aesthetic reminiscent of the '50s. Because of the small footprint, the main door dictates much of the design. Many different door designs were explored, but the roll-top tambour box best fit the mood.

The final full-scale prototype solved many UX issues that could not have been solved digitally. The wooden model showcases the primary forms of the shell of the dishwasher. Renders show the final version made from stainless steel, powder-coated coloring, and a simple control system.