Leaf Light
Designer: Yves Béhar // Manufacturer: Herman Miller // Date: 2006By combining the modern with the organic, Béhar has created one of the most recognisable and striking household objects, which is made practical by the intuitive lighting adjustment system.
The Leaf light's two pivoting blades create a delicate, sculptural silhouette; their thinness and flexibility suggests an organic origin. Simultaneously, Béhar's Leaf manages to look sleek, stylish and even futuristic despite taking its inspiration from nature. The Leaf light is available in a five different striking finishes: two metallic and three high gloss block colours.
37% of the material used to make the Leaf light is recycled and 95% is recyclable. The leaf-like blades are made from die cast aluminium. Die casting is similar to mould casting, but the molten metal is injected at high pressure into the mould. Die casting has good accuracy and an excellent finish — ideal for a high-end product like the Leaf light.
The Leaf may look minimal, but its sculptural form conceals a smart light adjustment system. Unlike a standard desk lamp or Anglepoise, the Leaf can be set to provide general or focused lighting in a spectrum of tones and intensities using the touch panel on the base. Cleverest of all, the Leaf remembers your settings for the next time you switch on.
The Leaf manufacturers, Herman Miller, are careful to ensure that the environmental impact of their products is minimal. Their environmental policy states that their products must: a) use materials containing only the safest possible chemicals; b) be easily disassembled at the end of their lifetime, so their parts can be recycled; and c) be made from as high a percentage of recyclable materials as possible. In terms of use, the Leaf light is ecologically sound, too. Its bulbs last eight times longer and use 40% less energy than compact fluorescent bulbs.
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