World Green Sustainable Design Award 2025 Autumn Season Winners Spotlight - Karün Sports Collection
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Spotlight Feature — Karün Sports Collection
Platinum Winner – Best Green Tools & Equipment Design 2025
Designer: Barbara Toledo / Karün, Chile
We proudly spotlight Karün Sports Collection has been awarded the Platinum Prize for Best Green Tools & Equipment Design 2025 — an achievement that places their work at the forefront of sustainability-driven innovation in sports eyewear.
Eyewear Designed Through a Circular Vision
The optical and outdoor industries continue to rely heavily on virgin plastics and high-impact manufacturing, contributing to pollution in oceans and landfills. Karün challenges this paradigm with the Sports Collection, a line of low-carbon, high-performance eyewear fully aligned with circular design principles.
Developed and tested in the extreme landscapes of Patagonia, the collection is not merely inspired by nature — it is built from it and built for it. The philosophy is clear:
If these products can withstand the harshest conditions in Patagonia, they can perform anywhere in the world.
Technical Design with Local Impact
The collection includes two models — Vultur, for mountain environments, and Austral, for cycling — totalling six SKUs, each accompanied by its own sustainable case and packaging.
All frames are crafted in Chile using recycled materials collected by local Patagonian communities, then transformed through cutting-edge technology into high-performance eyewear.
This approach elevates the brand as a global benchmark in material innovation, sports performance, and environmental responsibility.
A Visual Language Rooted in Patagonia
Inspired by phenology — the study of seasonal rhythms in plants and animals — the design incorporates textures, colors, and geometric elements drawn directly from the changing Patagonian environment.
Each model variant creates an emotional and visual connection with nature, enhancing users' perception and delivering a more immersive sporting experience.
User-Centered Performance Innovation
Extensive user research shaped every decision: design thinking, rapid prototyping, field testing, focus groups, and one-on-one sessions with athletes validated the collection’s direction.
Key challenges addressed include:
Safety & optical clarity
Ergonomics for long-term wear
Carbon footprint reduction
Versatility across sports environments
High-quality performance under extreme conditions
Through this rigorous process, Karün crafted eyewear that not only supports athletes but also supports the planet.
Congratulations to Barbara Toledo and the Karün team for redefining what sustainable performance equipment can be.
Your work stands as a powerful example of how design, community impact, and environmental responsibility can come together to shape the future of outdoor sports.
