A portable solar distiller that uses sunlight to transform polluted water or water from the sea into drinking water is the winning project of this year's Lexus Design Award.

Conceived by Henry Glogau, a New Zealand designer who graduated from the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, it convinced the jury for its originality and for the combination of on-site production of resources and involvement of the surrounding architecture, making the distiller also useful for sheltering from the sun.

The Lexus competition has existed since 2013 and aims to involve designers from all over the world who are able to design functional objects that can improve society. To do this, it draws on the experience of established designers who follow the six finalists through the process.