Ms. Mariana Arando & Mr. Luca Fondello are both from Argentina and are studying Industrial Design at the University of Buenos Aires in FADU (Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning).
The jury, consisting of experts within the fields of sustainability, innovation and marketing, had this to say on the winning design:
“At the heart of the winning lamp is a simple, poetic idea that fulfils all the competition’s criteria. In design, functionality, and name, it tells a captivating story, beautifully presented, about light’s ability to connect a community or family and create social spaces. Focusing on the way that the lamps can be joined together to create one larger lamp, the story reveals the lamps’ inherent narrative of collectivity and individuality, each one functioning equally as well on its own as it does in combination with other units. The lamp’s integrated hook exhibits both versatility and adaptability, while the large lens distributes light efficiently. Its unique shape combines with an open form, producing a lamp that is as practical as it is beautiful. The strength of the lamp’s design culminates in its international applicability, marketable equally in London and Harare, without the beauty and the functionality compromising one another.”
The production of the winning lamp will take place at the end of 2015. The VELUX Group will donate 14,500 solar lamps distributed by Plan International to local entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Senegal. The distribution model employed is very similar in concept to micro loans, in which small local entrepreneurs who cannot obtain loans under normal circumstances due to a lack of steady income or collateral are offered small loans that can help their businesses get started. To get their sales started, these entrepreneurs will initially receive a stock of Natural Light lamps for free. Once they have sold their stock, the result is a profit for themselves and also the capital to purchase additional lamps to sell, establishing their own self-sustaining small businesses.
