Hydrogen-Refueling-Solutions (HRS), a European manufacturer of hydrogen fuel stations, has recently unveiled its collaboration with renowned designer Philippe Starck at the COP28 event in Dubai. The partnership, branded as “HRS BY STARCK,” features an avant-garde approach aimed at making the physical presence of the refueling column as unobtrusive as possible. The station mixes Philippe Starck’s signature design language with a futuristic and sustainable approach. The goal was to achieve the maximum operational efficiency with the least possible use of materials.

“Hydrogen is clean; it is the nothing, the ether. It is clear that hydrogen fuel stations should be dematerialized. No special style or design for an object that, like all other smart devices, has already disappeared”, said Starck in a video statement about the design. “This station, which will refuel the future, is almost invisible: a box made of polished stainless steel, a mirror with a window through which we can see that the interior is almost empty, a few strange optical effects, known as dichroism, that make this nothing change color. The material reduction in this H2 station is significant, yet it is still a long way to the actual disappearance of the object itself. Here, the disappearance is merely simulated – but it is certainly beautiful.”

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 from 2024. HRS, initially known as TSM, was founded in France in 2004 and has been a pioneer in hydrogen mobility.