Tate Modern

Tate Modern and MIW

Tate Modern is the UK’s most-visited tourist attraction, drawing 5,868,562 visitors in 2018. These figures and its prominent position led to its selection as a recipient of a #OneLess Project bottle filler. MIW Water Cooler Experts managed the water dispenser installation.

The Brief

For this project, the MIW team needed to understand and answer the needs of both the sponsor, #OneLess. And the base location, Tate Modern.
 

• MIW would be required to work with #OneLess and Tate Modern through all areas of product installation, from initial advice on outdoor fountains to specifying the correct machine, logistics advice, installation and continued support and maintenance.

• The bottle filler would be placed in an exposed outdoor location, so must be able to withstand all weather conditions.

• The unit would also need to be WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approved to comply with all water authority and UK Government health and safety guidelines.

• Additionally, the equipment must be vandal-resistant, quick and easy to use and wheelchair accessible.

• Prior to installation, MIW would need to customise the unit in line with the expectations of both Tate Modern and #OneLess.

• MIW would need to liaise with both the #OneLess and Tate Modern Project Management Teams to arrange an installation timetable.

The Process

The first part of this project was site inspection. The #OneLess Team required the unit to be sited somewhere that would allow visitors to refill drinks bottles before entering the gallery. But due to the cultural significance of the site, it was essential that the bottle filler not be placed anywhere that would blight the aesthetics of the iconic brutalist building. The MIW team inspected the site to find a location that both met the needs of the client and was logistically viable.

Next, the correct equipment needed to be identified. For this project, the Halsey Taylor 4420BF1U – Endura II Tubular Outdoor Bottle Filling Station most closely answered the client’s needs. It delivered all of the prerequisites, including a rapid refill rate of one gallon per minute, smooth laminar flow and easy sensor operation. But to ensure year-round functionality, the MIW team adapted it with an additional freeze pack. Thus, providing further protection against the coldest of weather.

Lastly, before installation, MIW completed the bottle filler in black powder coating and #OneLess branding, in line with the client’s directions.

The Completed Project

The Tate Modern bottle filler installation took place without complication in summer 2019. Throughout the project, MIW closely liaised with both the #OneLess Team and Tate Modern Project Management Team. The Tate’s Technical Division were consulted to ensure that all health and safety requirements were adhered to.

During the first four months following installation, the bottle filler dispensed the equivalent of over 50,000 (500ml) bottle refills.

MIW continues to service, maintain and sanitise the bottle filler.