Groups of students enrolled in design programs around the globe were awarded 5,000 Euros in prize money for their fresh, exciting ideas and concepts centering on the topic of “showering.”

Here’s a look at the winning projects, selected from over 100 entries:

Air-Bar Massage Chair by Fangtian Ying, Ye Tao, Guanyun Wang, Jiang Wu and Yijun Zhao of the Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China

The Air-Bar is a semi-enclosed seat to provide a massage and sauna after cleaning the body. It gives a pleasant and relaxed experience comparable to a shower or bath while time and water consumption are significantly reduced. Covering the full body, air massage units provide a gentle but firm kneading massage by the air stream. The active location and strength mode can be controlled by a cell phone app.

Water-Stored Shower by Wen Chen of the Jiangnan University in WUXI, China

Before taking a shower or bath, people usually let the cold water run off before it heats up. This phenomenon is a waste of water, and this kind of showerhead is designed to save the cold water inside before any water comes out. Once you turn it on, the showerhead will store the cold water for you while mixing it with hot water and when the temperature meets the requirements of the human body, the water will spray down.

Shine Shower by Christoph Tullius of the Hochschule Pforzheim University in Pforzheim, Germany

The Shine Shower consists of a round light source with a water supply in its center, a water bowl made of glass with small openings and four stainless steel rods that connect the glass bowl with ceiling. A remote control with a touchpad operates light, color and water temperature and can be stored wherever a magnet is attached to the wall. The light shining on water generates an optical “underwater" illusion in the shower area creating different moods depending on the color of the light.

The Great Wall Bathroom by Yuan Cao and Shengli Lai of the Zhejiang A&F University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

The purpose of "THE GREAT WALL" design is to collect and recycle the water splashing on the wall while bathing to make full use of water. It uses a wall curtain in the bathroom and forms a water channel by means of water impulsion and a metallic support tilted to collect the water into a barrel and prevent water from flowing away.

Storm Shower by Niko Mergenthaler and Michael Spiel from the Hochschule Pforzheim University in Pforzheim, Germany

The Storm Shower combines different shower processes (soap, wash, dry) in one single workflow, reducing the amount of time showering while being efficient and hygienic. This is possible due to a new combination of nozzles, air jets and suctions. There are no more curtains, drains or even towels needed. It's only about the pure appearance of Storm. In inactive mode, it doesn't need any space or you could make other use of it. Storm is a smart solution for limited living areas, such as mini-apartments or trailers.

Watertube Shower by Mergenthaler and Spiel

The Watertube Shower merges with the natural force of water, the alternative concept to taking a shower, offers a unique experience for mind and body. The blast pipe ring embedded in the ground creates a cone-shaped tube of water by which the body is embraced completely within a few seconds without producing any splashing water. The splash is stopped inside of the water wall and drains off in the circular drainage. The operation mode is controlled by both temperature and a foot-controlled  touch-sensitive control panel cased in the blast pipe ring.

Tank Sustainable Shower Monitor by Charles Skender from the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia

The Tank collects and processes user information with which it is able to set specific targets to help users achieve conservation goals in the shower. Users can view liters used, average consumption and quantity of water saved on a live LCD screen. When combined with social media and a game, fish tank, Tank creates a competitive and addictive edge to water conservation.

The winning entries from China, Australia and Germany were officially honored together with the winners of the 2013 iF concept design awards in Hamburg.