2025: A Year Review with Nick Taylor, Head of Residential at Zip Water UK

Over the past year, residential interiors have become even more considered and purposeful, with greater emphasis on adaptability and long-term wellbeing. Homeowners and interior designers alike are increasingly drawn to flexible layouts and intelligent details that support everyday living for all, from food prep to hydration and entertaining.

Nick Taylor, Head of Residential at Zip Water UK, has observed a growing demand for solutions that feel intuitive, inclusive and easy to live with.

“In 2025, residential clients placed far greater value on solutions that support real, day-to-day use,” Nick says. “It’s about versatility, confidence and ease, whether that’s hygienic controls, inclusive multi-user access or taps that adapt to everything from food prep to everyday tasks.”

This perspective closely reflects Zip’s long-standing approach. A pioneer in drinking-water innovation, Zip has always focused on elevating everyday hydration through advanced filtration, thoughtful technology and designs suited to contemporary living spaces. The HydroTap range continues to embody this approach, offering solutions that declutter while meeting the demands of modern, multi-use households. This commitment to practical innovation has shaped Zip’s developments throughout 2025.

Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out Wins the iF Design Award

One of the defining moments of the year was the Celsius Plus All‑in‑One Pull‑Out receiving an iF Design Award, one of the most respected design accolades globally. The recognition represents more than an award win; it is a testament to Zip Water’s dedication to pushing boundaries in kitchen technology.

Praised for its considered engineering and everyday functionality, this elegant solution combines instant filtered boiling, chilled, sparkling, and mixer water, with a retractable hose spray for greater flexibility and efficiency in a single tap.

Nick, explains:
“The Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out showcases truly market-leading technology. Our patented Hose Management System ensures smooth, snag-free retraction, while the water delivery system maintains separate filtered water paths. Combined with advanced safety features and best-in-class filtration, it delivers the ultimate drinking-water experience.”

Beyond its versatility and refined design, the HydroTap continues to support more sustainable living, reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles and optimising energy efficiency.

A Step Forward in Accessibility

Another significant milestone this year has been the continued development of Zip’s accessibility offering, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to inclusive, user-led design.

Nick highlights the importance of collaboration in bringing this focus to life:
“It’s been fantastic working closely with Symphony Kitchens this year to help spotlight our accessibility range. A real highlight was seeing the Celsius Plus All-in-One featured on George Clarke’s Kitchen vs Garden. The kitchen, designed by Adam Thomas as part of the Freedom range, perfectly demonstrated the versatility and usability of our HydroTap solutions, showing how they can support people of all abilities without compromising on design.”

Through the close collaboration of Adam Thomas and Zip’s residential specialist Charles Ireland, the project reflects a shared understanding: that design must achieve both accessibility and aesthetic quality, without compromising either.

As conversations around inclusive design continue to gain momentum across the industry, Zip is setting the pace with its new accessibility controller, designed to make everyday interaction with filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling drinking water safer and more intuitive. The controller features clear, easy-to-use controls and flexible positioning options, enabling usability for all.

Hydrotap Arc Plus Awarded SBID Kitchen Product of the Year

Adding to an exceptional year, the HydroTap Arc Plus was awarded the SBID Kitchen Product of the Year, an accolade judged by industry professionals who understand how products perform in real environments.

Nick describes the win as a defining moment:
“Winning the SBID Award was genuinely heartwarming. It’s incredibly rewarding to see HydroTap Arc Plus recognised by designers who understand the importance of usability, placement and performance. It confirms that the attention we put into detail and user experience truly matters.”

A key strength of HydroTap Arc Plus lies in its flexibility of installation. Designed to work seamlessly over the sink or via a countertop font, it suits a wide variety of layouts from kitchen islands and breakfast bars to home bars and open-plan living. By delivering instant filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water exactly where it’s needed, HydroTap Arc Plus enhances both functionality and ease of use.

A New Brushed Brass Finish for Greater Design Freedom

As 2025 draws to a close, Zip continues to expand the Celsius Plus range with the introduction of a new Brushed Brass finish. Designed to reflect the evolving direction of contemporary kitchens, the finish offers designers greater flexibility.

“Brushed Brass feels perfectly in step with how kitchen design is evolving,” Nick says. “Designers are embracing richer tones and more characterful finishes, and this option allows the HydroTap to integrate beautifully into a wider range of interior styles.”

The Brushed Brass finish joins Zip’s suite of premium design-led options, offering greater freedom to tailor the tap to the personality of the space, whether as a subtle complement to natural materials or as a confident focal point within more expressive kitchens.

As with every finish, Brushed Brass has been engineered to meet the brand’s exacting standards. Engineered for durability, colour consistency and long-term performance, it reflects Zip’s commitment to combining aesthetics with reliability.

Looking Back on 2025: Milestones that Shaped the Year

Taken together, these milestones paint a clear picture of Zip’s progress throughout 2025. From international design recognition to inclusive product innovation, each achievement reflects our values grounded in real human needs.

“What stands out most to me is how clearly our priorities have come into focus.” Nick reflects. “Across every project this year, the emphasis has been on thoughtful design, reliability and finding practical ways to enhance how people use and experience water in their homes.”

This year also reinforced the value of long-term care and protection. Through the HydroCare service offering, Zip ensures systems remain efficient and high performing from their first drop to their last. A reminder that great design extends beyond launch and is sustained through maintenance and peace of mind.

Looking ahead to 2026, the achievements of 2025 serve not only as moments to celebrate, but as a strong foundation for the next phase of Zip’s innovation, one built on trusted performance, human-centred design and a commitment to delivering exceptional drinking water experiences for years to come.

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