IKEA is once again demonstrating its commitment to designing helpful and innovative products for the masses with its latest collaboration. The Swedish furniture giant has teamed up with social business Little Sun, led by the renowned Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen, to create a collection of two solar-powered LED lamps.
The collection, named SAMMANLÄNKAD, showcases the potential of solar power as an alternative energy source for everyday objects. The table lamp’s design was inspired by the earth’s orbit around the sun and features a half-sphere light source that creates the effect of a shining sun, enhanced by the reflection of a mirror. The lamp’s metal frame and rings are adjustable, and the light source can also be removed from the stand to be used as a torch.
The smaller, portable lamp is perfect for outdoor settings and features a convenient yellow strap that can be hung on windows or backpacks during the daytime for charging.
The collaboration with Little Sun supports the mission of raising awareness for energy access and reminds us of the potential to co-shape our world. Little Sun is dedicated to giving more people access to solar energy in communities without regular access to electricity, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The collection’s message is clear: if we are to transition to a world powered by renewable energy in the next decade, we need everyone to recognise the opportunity of solar energy. “Sunlight is seemingly invisible, but solar energy allows us to make the invisible visible,” writes Eliasson.
By partnering with Little Sun, IKEA hopes to spark a conversation around solar energy and put the power of the sun in the hands of many people. The shared belief is that the possibilities of thoughtful design lie in its ability to create awareness and make a difference.
The SAMMANLÄNKAD collection will be available exclusively at IKEA stores from April, with prices ranging from £11 GBP for the portable lamp to £80 GBP for the table lamp (approximately $13 to $100 USD). With this impressive collaboration, IKEA and Little Sun are not only providing access to sustainable lighting solutions but also demonstrating the impact of thoughtful design and highlighting the potential of solar energy to change lives.
