Illuminating the Future: Sustainable Design with Vao Lighting
Vao Bollards and Pedestrian Lighting offer sophisticated stainless steel designs with DarkSky approved options that help reduce light pollution. Vao doesn’t just illuminate spaces; it embodies a commitment to sustainability by blending elegant design with environmental care.
Precision-crafted Vao features thoughtful architectural details that elevate any setting. Its signature spun stainless steel finish shines beautifully in natural light by day and emits a soft, symmetrical glow at night.
Forms+Surfaces Product Designer Leah Lynn highlights the focus on Vao’s material choices, noting, “We pride ourselves on our ability to work with stainless steel. Over the years, we’ve honed our knowledge and expertise, giving us the confidence to push the boundaries of what we can do—and do well. I wanted to expand our stainless offerings specifically within the performance category and explore how we could breathe new life into an aesthetically timeless material.”
Vao is also available in a range of powdercoat colors, allowing each fixture to either blend harmoniously or make a bold statement within any setting.
Vao’s design marks a first for F+S lighting: a cutoff fixture with symmetrical light distribution. Leah explains how this was achieved to improve visibility: “The engine is reflective to reduce glare, and the lens is etched to provide a soft glow on surrounding surfaces. I included a design feature in the reflector that captures daylight, creating surface variation through shadow play. At night when the light turns on, that same surface disappears, revealing a unique outline that surrounds the lens."
When discussing her inspiration for Vao’s design, Leah explains, “Nods to architecture feel important because these pieces exist within a built environment. I look at a lot of modern architecture because I love the blend of clean lines and honest materials, especially when paired with a variety of surroundings. I think it’s hard to do well, but when done well, it disappears into the space, achieving harmony through formal elements that relate to the backdrop. It doesn’t compete; it enhances.”
With its sleek, minimalistic aesthetic, Vao Lighting offers versatile installation options for a coordinated look across projects. Slim Low Profile and Surface Mounting choices create an elegant, unified appearance, while the Vao Bollard’s Sleeve Mounting provides a seamless finish without a visible base plate, enhancing clean lines and uncluttered design.
For more details, explore the Vao Bollard and Pedestrian Lighting Product pages, and share this remarkable lighting family through the Vao Lighting page.
