Believe it or not, the great Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí used geometries based on nature to draw up designs for La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Clearly Frank Lloyd Wright – the father of organic architecture – passed along the belief that what is outside should flow right in. But not just architects find design inspiration in the landscapes around us, in fact, Yves Behar of fuseproject trusts his animal instinct as an industrial designer. With Herman Miller, Behar has recently come up with a task light that draws on the flexibility of a heron’s neck he calls the Ardea Light.

The Ardea Light. Designed by Yves Behar.

Natural and intuitive, the design of the light shifts and stretches to the height desirable for your situation with flexible hinges at both the base and neck. Unlike lamp shades that sit on the edge of a desk because they take up space and block direct light if not beneath its awning, the Ardea Light works for your work so you can focus on your project at hand. As an innovative design leader, Yves Behar continues to push the envelope. As the Notes on Design author Kevin Kelly so eloquently stated about the designer, “The Swiss-born Behar has shown that a futuristic, hi-tech approach to design can be deeply humane. The fluid forms and innovative function of his products are impressive enough, but it’s Behar’s interest in the human experience and positive social change that give his objects real meaning.”

Besides the fact that it’s functional and pleasing to the eye, the Ardea Light has minimal impact on the environment. Created with products that are 84% recyclable, it was developed with the birds in mind on many levels. The lamp uses a compact mini-fluorescent 13 watt bulb that is low-energy consuming (0.17 amps at 120v) and includes a reflector that creates even illumination instead of the old-fashioned, laserlike beam. Additionally, it’s mid-level price point means the Ardea Light benefits our socio-economic environment too!

Standing tall at 35.5″ when fully extended, it’s slender base has a diameter of just 7.875″ and comes in four different colors: black, metallic silver, polished aluminum, and white. Truly the dream of an efficient nature lover,  the Ardea Light will keep you beaming!