Born in 1985, Marjan van Aubel is a Dutch solar designer based in Amsterdam. Her evolving profession lies at the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability, aiming to transform solar energy from a technical solution into a tool for rethinking our relationship with «I believe the future of solar design holds extraordinary potential—not only as an answer to our energy needs but as a way to redefine how we live,» she stated. In Aubel’s work, sunlight becomes both a design tool and a force of cultural change. It helps speed up the ecological transition and rethink how we produce energy.
Solar Design as a creative and sustainable act
Marjan van Aubel doesn’t just design solar technologies—she explores how they can become part of everyday life. Solar design, for her, is not just functional—it’s an emotional and engaging creative process. «Each project starts from a different question or intention,» she explains, «but all share a common goal: to connect people more deeply with the potential of solar energy». A harmonious fusion of aesthetics and sustainability.
The central role of light in Marjan van Aubel’s installations
Marjan van Aubel’s installations are immersive experiences that invite viewers into a direct dialogue with natural light. Landmark events like Expo 2020 Dubai, ICA Design Miami 2023, and Milan Design Week 2024 have served as powerful stages for her studio’s vision: «I want to change the narrative around solar—shifting it from something purely technical to something emotional and beautiful.» This philosophy informs projects that turn sunlight into visual and functional experiences, blending beauty with environmental consciousness.
Current Window
A modern reinterpretation of stained glass windows, Current Window doesn’t just serve a decorative purpose—it generates electricity from daylight. The windows use dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), a technology that harnesses color to produce energy, mimicking the natural process of photosynthesis. Each pane has USB ports for charging, and the bigger it is, the more solar energy it can generate.
This project makes solar power a seamless part of everyday life.
Ra
Ra is a bold project named after the Egyptian sun god. It turns solar energy into art. Organic solar cells, printed on ultra-thin film, capture sunlight and store it in an integrated battery, powering soft light after dark. The power of Ra lies in its poetic potential—a story of hope for a post-fossil future where energy is both technical and emotional. The project merges cutting-edge technology with minimal environmental impact.
Sunne
Sunne is a self-powered solar lamp that captures, stores and emits light. By day, it collects energy through built-in solar panels; by night, it emits a glow that mimics the natural rhythms of sunlight. Its three modes—Sunne Rise, Sunne Set, and Sunne Light—echo the phases of the day.
Elegant and intuitive, Sunne is a perfect example of how solar design can be both beautiful and functional at home.
Marjan van Aubel: Toward a Solar Aesthetic
Looking ahead, van Aubel envisions a future where buildings aren’t complete unless they generate their energy: «With renewable technologies becoming more efficient and circular, we have a real chance to reconnect with nature and redefine our relationship with the sun, our surroundings, and our resources». In this vision, solar aesthetics are no longer just about efficiency—they’re about integrating energy into our spaces in a beautiful way.
Designing with the Sun for the Planet
Marjan van Aubel invites us to rethink design as a responsible act that engages with culture and cares for the environment. Her solar design speaks of emotion, beauty, and connection. «The new narrative of solar design is about integrating solar energy into our everyday lives, using the power of design».
With this perspective—and the hope that transformation happens fast—both public and private spaces will take on a new face. In a world searching for climate solutions, her work shows that sustainability and aesthetics not only coexist—they belong together.
