german-based studio, haus otto, explores the use of wire to produce low-cost ‘one dollar glasses‘. the industrial design team are working alongside the non-profit organization, EinDollarBrille e.V. – or OneDollarGlasses in english –  that has been established in an effort to provide for the 150 million people worldwide who are currently in need of glasses, but do not have the financial means to access them. this project explores methods of bending a cheap material, such as wire, to allow those in need to make their own eyewear for only $1.

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'
a study of the wire bending, image courtesy of haus otto

 

 

for the project, haus otto explores the possibilities and limits of materials such as spring steel, heat shrink tubing, and polycarbonate lenses for less than one dollar. the team aims to create a broad spectrum of solutions by examining the potential in eight different categories. as well as forming a cost-effective solution, the project also places a great importance on allowing people to express themselves and their unique personality by the glasses they wear. with that in mind, a wide variety of styles and frame shapes have been developed.

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

the round lens style, image courtesy of haus otto

 

 

the initiative looks not only to design, but also to education. by providing all the necessary bending tools and teaching people how to use them to make the glasses, the project intends to facilitate a level of autonomy within developing countries. the idea also aims to support local people by creating new jobs. the collection is also being presented as part of an exhibition, in order to raise awareness to the issue and this proposed solution.

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

the components of the glasses, image courtesy of haus otto

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

the different temples style, image courtesy of haus otto

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

packaging, image courtesy of haus otto

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'
the bending machine, image courtesy of haus otto

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

the variety of glasses on display, image courtesy of haus otto

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'
an exhibition of the new glasses, image courtesy of haus otto

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

the OneDollarGlasses workshop in ouagadougou, burkina faso, image © OneDollarGlasses

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'

suzanna from brazil wearing the new glasses, image © OneDollarGlasses

haus otto utilizes wire to allow people to make their own 'one dollar glasses'
a child in burkina faso wearing his new glasses, image © OneDollarGlasses

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘the one dollar glasses’

design: haus otto

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom