Red Dot Award 2019 for the Sonnenglas® Mini

An international jury has awarded the new Sonnenglas® Mini for its outstanding product design. It honored our solar lantern as a "socially and ecologically sensible product solution.

The Sonnenglas Mini has the Red Dot Award for its unique and sustainable product design. The jury described our newest solar glass family member "equipped with intelligent technology and using robust solar cells ... as a socially and ecologically sensible product solution".

We are delighted to receive this award, which is also a sign that design not only transcends cultural boundaries, but also proves that a handmade product made in South Africa can be internationally competitive. For us, "good design" is more than just a visual eye-catcher. Good design makes sense and complements a product whose production is responsible and sustainable. Especially in times of many unsolved environmental problems and a society that is concerned about sustainability, the Sonnenglas® shows that environmentally friendly products have a great future.

The solar glass was developed in South Africa as a fully-fledged light source for people living without electricity. At the same time, it replaced the environmentally harmful kerosene lamps that were widely used in Africa and repeatedly caused terrible fires. Since then, the Sonnenglas® has developed into a cult product beyond African borders, giving people all over the world the opportunity to produce clean light in a particularly beautiful way, to illuminate their own world and to enjoy living a little more environmentally conscious every day.

TheSonnenglas® is not only an innovative light source, but also a social business model. It is lovingly handcrafted in our factory in Johannesburg under fair working conditions. In this way, we secure valuable jobs and offer formerly unemployed people without prior training a professional perspective. Production now employs over 65 people.

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The Sonnenglas® Mini was developed over a period of two years and is not only aesthetically pleasing and functional, but also technologically unique. The Sonnenglas® Mini is probably one of the most efficient light sources in the world. At the same time, it impresses with numerous innovations and new functions. Thanks to highly efficient solar cells, it lights up 24 hours a day. An intelligent automatic day/night function measures the ambient brightness - the solar glass switches itself on in the evening and off in the morning. The Sonnenglas® Mini is waterproof and the mechanical design guarantees easy handling. In addition, the components are completely plugged in and not glued, which makes the sunglass very easy to repair.

Sonnenglas® founder Stefan Neubig and part of the Sonnenglas® team attended the Red Dot Gala in person at the Aalto Theater in Essen. The evening continued with the Designer's Night at the Red Dot Museum, where all the award winners came together again.

Stefan Neubig and Luise Kobligk at the Red Dot Designer's Night in Essen.

Autor: Daniel Hufeisen

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