Marjan van Aubel is a Dutch solar designer based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She established her studio with the mission to integrate solar technology into everyday objects and environments, promoting sustainability and renewable energy. Van Aubel's current mission focuses on creating innovative solar designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, aiming to make solar energy an integral part of daily life. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, technology, and the environment.

Location

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands.

• Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations.

The Circular Vision

• Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using renewable energy sources, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.

• Key innovations: Development of projects like "Current Table," "Current Window," and "Sunne," which incorporate solar cells into furniture and lighting to harness solar energy. The "Solar Pavilion" and "8 Minutes and 20 Seconds" installations showcase the potential of integrating solar technology into public spaces.

• Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using sustainable materials and production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.

Pioneering Solutions

• Flagship projects: Van Aubel's portfolio includes innovative solar-powered designs such as the Current Table and Current Window (which generate electricity from ambient light using dye-sensitised solar cells), Sunne (a self-powering solar light), the Solar Pavilion (a demountable structure that generates energy and heat), and the "8 Minutes and 20 Seconds" installation (an interactive display using photovoltaic sheets).

• Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative solar design solutions that prioritize circularity, renewable energy, and environmental responsibility. Van Aubel's work is known for its ability to seamlessly integrate solar technology into everyday objects and public spaces, making renewable energy more accessible and visually appealing.

The Regenerative Future

• R&D focus areas: Advancing solar technology integration in design, exploring new applications for solar cells in everyday objects, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in production processes.

• Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste solar products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and energy usage.

Fact Sheet

• Commercial Availability: Solar design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with brands and institutions.

• Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles and renewable energy in design).

• Key Certifications: Winner of multiple awards, including the Dezeen Awards, Wallpaper Design Award, and the Radicale Vernieuwer award.

• Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with high-end design services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).

• Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of sustainable and renewable materials in many projects.

• Designed for Disassembly: Yes, projects like the Solar Pavilion are designed for easy disassembly and reuse.

• Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of renewable energy and sustainable materials. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and production processes.

Key Takeaway

Marjan van Aubel transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solar solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.

Explore Further

• Marjan van Aubel website: https://www.marjanvanaubel.com

• Current Table project

• Sunne project

• Solar Pavilion project

Fairphone is a Dutch social enterprise founded in 2013 by Bas van Abel. The company was established with the mission to create a fairer electronics industry by designing and producing sustainable smartphones. Fairphone's current mission is to drive positive change across the value chain in mining, design, manufacturing, and lifecycle management, while expanding the market for ethically produced electronics. The core values of Fairphone include sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility, with a purpose to create long-lasting products that minimize environmental impact and improve working conditions in the electronics supply chain.

Location

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands.

• Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations globally, with a focus on ethical sourcing and fair labor practices.

• Note: Strategic locations to optimize local sourcing, distribution, and collaboration with ethical suppliers.

The Circular Vision

• Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using sustainable and recycled materials, and creating products that are fully recyclable.

• Key innovations: Development of modular smartphones that are easy to repair and upgrade, use of Fairtrade gold, and integration of recycled materials.

• Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on ethical sourcing and transparent supply chains to minimize environmental impact and support fair labor practices.

Pioneering Solutions

• Flagship products: Fairphone 3, Fairphone 4, and Fairphone 5 modular smartphones.

• Unique value propositions: High-quality, sustainable smartphones with easily replaceable components, innovative modular design, and a strong focus on ethical sourcing and circularity.

The Regenerative Future

• R&D focus areas: Advancing modular design technologies, developing new sustainable materials, and optimizing circular design processes.

• Ambitious goals: To lead the smartphone industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards more responsible consumption.

Fact Sheet

• Commercial Availability: Products available globally through the Fairphone website and select retailers.

• Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles).

• Key Certifications: B Corp, Fairtrade Gold certification.

• Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in sustainable materials).

• Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and sustainable materials.

• Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and recycling.

• Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through sustainable materials and local production.

Key Takeaway

Fairphone is a pioneering company that transforms the smartphone industry through innovative modular design and ethical sourcing, setting a benchmark for sustainability and circularity.

Explore Further

• Fairphone website: https://www.fairphone.com/nl

• Sustainability overview: https://www.fairphone.com/en/about/about-us/

• Example product: Fairphone 4 - https://shop.fairphone.com/en/fairphone-4

Layer is a thought-leading design studio founded in 2015 by British designer Benjamin Hubert. The studio embraces circular economy principles by prioritizing sustainable materials, renewable energy usage, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Layer's core mission is to create revolutionary product experiences through human-centered design thinking. Their work spans strategy, industrial design, branding, digital design, and spatial design for leading brands. Layer nurtures an innovative culture focused on pushing boundaries to drive positive environmental and social impact.

Location

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.

• Primary studio location: 445 Hackney Road, London.

The Circular Vision

• Core circular economy principles: Designing for longevity, adaptability, disassembly, and material circularity.

• Key innovations: Extensive material research, designing for easy maintenance/repair/reuse, sustainable manufacturing processes.

• Prioritizing localized supply chains and responsible material sourcing.

Pioneering Solutions

• Flagship solutions: Reversible Building Design (RBD) protocol, disassembly-focused product design.

• Unique value propositions: Human-centered, future-proof design and holistic sustainability integration.

The Regenerative Future

• R&D focus: Advancing circular construction methods, biomaterial innovations, digital design tools.

• Ambitious goals: Becoming an industry leader in ethical, eco-positive design and business practices.

Fact Sheet

• Commercial Availability: Products through brand partners globally.

• Environmental Certifications: Cradle to Cradle, LEED, WELL Building Standard.

• Circularity Rating: 5/5.

• Key Accreditations: ISO Standards for Design for Disassembly/Adaptability.

• Cost Rating: 4/5 (Higher premium positioning).

• Material Traceability: Extensive data on material sources and lifecycles.

• Designed for Disassembly: Yes, a core design principle.

• Carbon Performance: Aim for net zero/negative through energy efficiency.

The Human Element

Layer places a strong emphasis on the human element in design, ensuring solutions are inclusive, culturally aware, and facilitate cross-collaboration. The studio adopts strategies like participatory design workshops to bridge cultural gaps and develop user-centric solutions.

Environmental Considerations

Stringent environmental regulations and third-party certifications guide Layer's design approach. The studio prioritizes localized material sourcing, renewable energy usage, waste reduction, and material health evaluations to minimize environmental impact.

Intellectual Property Protection

Layer safeguards its innovative designs through comprehensive IP protection strategies, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and legal agreements to prevent unauthorized use or replication of proprietary solutions.

Key Takeaway

Layer is pioneering a holistic approach to sustainable design that seamlessly integrates circular principles across its portfolio, positioning the studio as an industry leader in shaping the built environment for a regenerative future.

Explore Further

• Layer website: https://layerdesign.com

• Sustainability overview: https://layerdesign.com/about