Al-Manara Clock | Furniture Design

Al-Manara is a modern reinterpretation of ancient water clocks. It pays tribute to early human ingenuity in measuring time while exploring the ethereal flow of water as a metaphor for the passage of time. As part of the "Space-Time" collection, this piece delves into the intersection of time perception and innovative chronometric design.

Time is a river, flowing ceaselessly. Al-Manara transforms this poetic concept into a tangible object—a water-based timepiece that marries the primordial elements of earth, water, air, and fire (light) with time itself. Drawing inspiration from ancient water clocks used in temples and courts as far back as 2000 BC, this clock reimagines their function using electric motors and computational programming to fill and empty a sleek water column.

The name "Genesis I" nods to the origin of timekeeping innovations, recognizing the ingenuity of early civilizations in creating tools to measure and understand the cosmos.

Al-Manara combines function and elegance through its dynamic water column, interactive design, and thoughtful details.

The clock’s beaker-shaped water container features engraved hour markings and operates through a motorized mechanism that fills the column gradually over 24 hours. At midnight, the water dramatically empties in a whirlpool effect, resetting the cycle.

Time adjustment is intuitive via a flat ring embedded on the water chamber, designed with embossed ridges for grip. Users can rotate the disc to increase or decrease the water level, fine-tuning the displayed time.

Soft LED lighting within the base illuminates the water column, enhancing visibility and creating a calming glow that emphasizes the poetic flow of water. The clock uses distilled water with antimicrobial agents and a UV sterilizer in the reservoir to ensure long-term clarity and hygiene.