What would entail if design dematerialisation were to be applied to a dispenser of the simplest element in the universe, with a single proton and electron? The result of such—a subdued futuristic sculpture—was uncovered when the European designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refuelling stations HRS unveiled its new stations' dispenser designed in collaboration with Philippe Starck. The design was showcased at the opening of COP28, which took place from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai.

French industrial designer Philippe Starck has continued to expand the boundaries of his influence in the design world through an illustrious list of projects that range from the iconic Juicy Salif and the Poêle Collection for Alessi, a curious reimaging of Dior’s Medallion Chair, to the microgravity space habitation module for crew quarters of the world’s first commercial space station approved by NASA. A strong believer that the future of design is dematerialisation—a philosophy that perhaps every design should strive towards using the least materials possible—Starck’s work has involved drawing the essence of objects through a necessary austerity.

Typically seen with a utilitarian design, fuel stations as an element are seldom considered important enough to be given a visually discernible identity. The collaboration between HRS and Philippe Starck brings a symbolic character to the product, drawing from the features of hydrogen, and embodying the futuristic potential of the prophesied fuel of tomorrow. Hydrogen is one of the top clean energy sources being explored as an alternative to fossil fuels currently. Instead of emitting greenhouse gases, it only emits water vapour, and unlike the exhaustive nature of fossil fuels, Earth can sustain the hydrogen cycle practically forever. Hydrogen can be extracted from water, and oxygen can be released into the atmosphere. Being used to power fuel cells, it combines with the oxygen in the atmosphere to become water again. While the adaptation of hydrogen as a fuel is in its early stages and is yet to become a mainstream consideration, government incentives and investments continue for it to become a part of everyday conversations.

“Hydrogen is clean; it is nothingness, the ether. It is clear that HRS BY STARCK hydrogen refuelling stations should be dematerialised. No particular style or design, for an object, which, like all other smart devices, has already disappeared,” Starck said in an official release. Hydrogen is indeed as close to nothingness as anything can be, with a single proton and electron. It is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gaseous substance that makes up an estimated 73 per cent of the normal matter in the observable universe. In an attempt to conceptually evoke the nature of hydrogen, Starck designed the station to be invisible. The mirror-like polished stainless steel box reflects the surroundings, blending with the environment.

The only visual peculiarity of the dispenser is the window, which gives a view into an almost empty interior—further solidifying the intended notion of nothingness associated with hydrogen in design. The window is equipped with dichroic glass, which has an iridescent effect with changing angles and lighting conditions. Its undeniably modern appeal is found in contemporary design, with its origin being a solution by NASA to protect spacecraft appliances from cosmic radiation and protect human eyesight from unfiltered sunlight in space.

Hydrogen fuel cells and electric vehicles, along with battery-powered vehicles hold the potential to change the way we travel by significantly lowering emissions. While hydrogen as a fuel holds undeniably promising prospects, a majority—about 96 per cent of it—produced today is not through the green method of electrolysis, but through coal and gas. It is not only the adoption of hydrogen that is necessary but more importantly the change in the ways it is produced. While efforts are being made to make the hydrogen production process greener, the collaboration between HRS and Starck stirs discourse around the topic.

The fuel stations will be available as HRS14 (capable of dispensing 200 kg of hydrogen per day) and HRS40 (with a capacity of 1 ton per day). Both models are set to be installed, starting 2024.