Warka Water Arturo Vittori: Designing Hope Through Air, Tradition, and Innovation

Warka Water Arturo Vittori is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating sustainable, community-driven solutions to some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. Founded by Italian architect Arturo Vittori, the project combines local knowledge, ancient traditions, and visionary design to provide access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in remote areas around the world.

At the heart of Warka Water’s mission is the belief that design can be a force for dignity. Vittori’s most iconic creation, the Warka Tower, is a lightweight vertical structure that collects potable water directly from the air, offering a lifeline to villages without reliable water sources.

Beyond the tower, Vittori’s work expands into the Cameroon rainforest, where he leads the design of an integrated, sustainable village that blends architecture, agriculture, and education — all rooted in collaboration with local communities.

Recognized for its global impact, Warka Water received The Design Prize 2019 in the category of Social Impact, honoring Vittori’s commitment to transforming necessity into innovation.

Speaking with Designboom, Arturo Vittori reflects on his journey: why he chose to devote his life to harvesting water from the air, the challenges faced along the way, and his evolving vision for the next decade — one where design, empathy, and sustainability continue to meet in service of humanity.