Sunflower: The Solar Powered Lunchbox

Revolutionizing Portable Food Heating and Cooling

The Sunflower, designed by Edita Barabas, challenges the traditional usage of electricity and welcomes solar energy into our daily routines. This innovative lunchbox offers the functionality of household appliances for heating and cooling food, all in a portable package. Whether you're outdoors, at work, or on a camping trip, the Sunflower allows you to enjoy a hot or cold meal without the need for traditional home appliances.

One of the unique features of the Sunflower is its ability to keep food at a constant cool temperature, preventing the growth of bacteria. It achieves this through a combination of heating and cooling technologies, ensuring your food stays fresh and safe to consume.

The Sunflower harnesses the sun's energy through a series of solar panels that spread like the petals of a flower. This ecological appliance collects and stores energy in an internal battery, which can be used to heat up or cool down the compartments within the lunchbox. With just the touch of a button, you can control the temperature of your food, ensuring it's just the way you like it.

Each compartment of the Sunflower has its own display, allowing you to easily monitor and adjust the heating or cooling settings. This makes it ideal for individuals who bring their own meals to work or frequently travel. Additionally, the Sunflower offers a healthier alternative to microwaves, as it uses natural heating methods that preserve the taste and quality of your food.

The Sunflower was realized using polypropylene and metal, with the integration of solar cells. The design was brought to life through injection molding technology, resulting in a sleek and functional lunchbox. Its dimensions are L230cm x W142cm x 200cm, making it compact and easy to carry.

Designed and developed at the Faculty of Architecture, Design School in Zagreb, Croatia, the Sunflower project took place from February 2009 to April 2009. It represents a utopian vision of using alternative sources of sustainable energy in our everyday lives, paving the way for a greener future.

The Sunflower has received recognition for its innovative design and practicality. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Social Design category in 2011. This prestigious accolade is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Sunflower's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics make it a valuable addition to the world of sustainable design.

The Sunflower is not just a lunchbox; it's a symbol of our changing attitudes towards energy consumption and the potential of solar power. With its unique combination of functionality, portability, and eco-friendliness, the Sunflower represents a new era in sustainable living.