Saint Clair Lamp: Solar Lighting Two Ways

The French non-profit  VIA (Valorisation de l’Innovation dans l’Ameublement) has been fostering French design talent since 1979 when it was established by the French Furniture Industries Development Committee with support of the French Ministry for Industry.  This year, Stéphane Maupin, architect and designer, has won one of five VIA project assistance grants for his innovative solar powered Saint Clair Lamp.

Saint Clair Solar Powered Lamp by Stéphane Maupin

How does this desk lamp obtain energy from the sun?   Under the lamp's base are several photovoltaic cells that kind of make a neat design themselves.

Photovoltaic Base, Saint Clair Lamp by Stéphane Maupin

During the day, the base can be affixed to a window with its heavy-duty suction pads.

Saint Clair Solar Powered Lamp by Stéphane Maupin

But that's not all....  Once powered, the Saint Clair Lamp can then be used as a hanging lamp to create a lovely spotlight.

Saint Clair Solar Powered Lamp by Stéphane Maupin

The VIA project assistance grant was used to build the prototype for the Saint Clair Lamp, enabling the lighting design to be promoted and seen by lighting manufacturers as quickly as possible.  This frees the designer to focus on his or her design work, rather than having to locate financial resources for the design's advancement.

Sources: Design Boom, VIA