Spring Coolers by Moreno Schweikle

Spring Coolers by Moreno Schweikle, launched in 2021, still feels fresh, especially in today’s workplace design and post-pandemic social context. As part of Balenciaga’s Art in Stores project, Schweikle’s work stands out by subtly challenging the emphasis on pure function in industrial design.

At first glance, a water cooler might seem like an unlikely muse unless you are a fan of pre-COVID office small talks. But Schweikle transforms this routine object into a sculptural reinterpretation, blending it with neoclassical elements that recall historic city fountains. Spring Coolers changes the game by making designs about beauty as well as usefulness in the workplace.

By turning “grabbing water” into a social event, Schweikle transforms the cooler into a modern meeting place—an open space where people can talk freely. In Balenciaga’s Art in Stores project, Spring Coolers is notable for its subtle insight and cultural importance, showing that even simple objects can hold significance.
Created in 2021, this work feels especially relevant today.