MARJAN VAN AUBEL, 2020
Object
The Sunne lamp, designed by Marjan van Aubel in 2020, is a contemporary design lamp based on principles of aesthetics and sustainability. Inspired by solar landscapes, the lamp captures sunlight during the day with integrated solar panels and releases it at sunset, emitting light that changes in tone. The adjustable color palette mimics sunlight from dusk till dawn.
Van Aubel, a Dutch designer based in Rotterdam, has gained recognition for her pioneering work in integrating solar technologies into design. She created Sunne as an indoor solar lamp that does not require electrical power. This lamp made such a strong impact in the world of design and lighting that it earned a spot in the New York Times Design Classics of the Future.
Sunne: The Project
The Sunne Lamp is based on a very simple principle, explained as follows: “The sun is an unlimited free source of energy and is key to fighting our climate crisis. By embedding solar technology into our everyday lives, we can accelerate the transition to a solar-powered future.“
The lamp is designed to be hung near a window—the back of the lamp, equipped with solar panels, should face outside. During the day, Sunne charges using the solar energy captured by the panels, which is then released starting at sunset. This simple and effective idea is made possible by solar technology.
The principles of sustainability and the idea of introducing sunlight into everyday life have contributed to the success of this lamp. Moreover, the lamp is also designed with aesthetic consideration. In this way, Van Aubel removes the technical aura that often makes solar technology less approachable. With a beautiful and technically sophisticated object, she introduces sunlight as a new aesthetic possibility.
Awards and Cultural Impact
Sunne has been a true revelation in the design world, winning numerous awards and becoming part of prestigious museum collections. As mentioned earlier, the solar lamp was selected as one of the Design Classics of the Future, a highly influential article published in the NY Times in 2023.
In addition to being selected by top curators and taste-makers in the design world, Sunne has won numerous awards and has become part of the collections at the Vitra Design Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Contemporary Art in Amsterdam.
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Details
Sunne
The original version of the Sunne lamp by Marjan van Aubel is available on SolarSunne.com starting at €1600 (price at the time of writing).
Sunne’s dimensions:
– Length: 80 cm
– Height: adjustable steel cables
– Frame: anodized aluminum in champagne color
– Solar cells covering the back side
– Suspension: 2 steel wires
