is known for a signature material, it’s something tangible like wood or steel. But in the case of Marjan van Aubel, it’s sunlight. In 2021, the Amsterdam creative harnessed solar energy to power Sunne, a pendant that absorbs light by day and emits it by night. Building on subsequent sun-themed installations mounted during events like Dutch Design Week, van — named for the time it takes light from the sun to reach Earth — in the sculpture garden of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami. Graphics printed on transparent plastic sheets recreated the silhouette of the Lexus LF-ZC, a next-gen battery electric vehicle (BEV) set to launch in 2026. A section of each sheet was equipped with organic photovoltaic cells, collecting solar energy to drive an interactive mix of lights and sounds. Here, van Aubel shares her take on the dawn of solar design.
