In 1967, Sonneman founded his own design firm, Robert Sonneman & Associates, which focuses on creating innovative, functional lighting for commercial and residential spaces. Over the years, Sonneman has won numerous awards for his designs, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design Award and the IDEA Industrial Design Award.
Sonneman's designs are often characterized by their elegant simplicity and innovative use of materials such as aluminum, stainless steel and glass. Among his most famous creations are the "Quattro" series of architectural lamps, the "Puri" collection of recessed lighting and the "Tuxedo" series of minimalist wall lamps.
Today, Sonneman's company continues to be a leader in the world of lighting design, and his designs are widely used in commercial and residential projects around the world.