Landscape & Hardscape Design-Build

Landscape & Hardscape Design-Build - Jan 2012

by Scott Holland L andscape lighting can make a property shine in more ways than one With proper planning lighting a landscape creates a safe and usable outdoor space Masonry lights path lights and up lights can be placed in such a way to add value and complement a property Listed below are specific goals and design principles that should be considered when designing and implementing landscape lighting There are several reasons for lighting a landscape including both practical and aesthetic When determining where to place landscape lights consider the following goals Security Its no secret that lighting a landscape deters intruders and burglars however light placement can affect the level of security For example shining a few spotlights on the front of a house will create a spotty and bright illumination The sporadic lights will cast dark shadows creating perfect hiding places for intruders The best way to avoid this problem is to broaden the light and dull the brightness This allows the eye to see both lit and unlit areas of the landscape Safety Lighting walkways stairs pond areas and other tripping hazards are all important safety precautions Lighting these areas will ensure a safe passage This is especially important for the elderly and those with disabilities Keep the light at a low brightness to prevent blinding those who pass by Usability Areas that are frequently used after nightfall such as a deck or patio should be efficiently lit Consider the activity at hand Select fixtures that are appropriate for the activity and complement the structure they are lighting Aesthetics Consider the entire visual experience including the viewers feelings and emotions Light powerful focal points and even quaint unexpected areas Ultimately landscape lighting should bring out the beauty of any property Key design principles PHOTOS COURTESY OF I LIGHTING LLC With lighting there are several key principles that will ensure a beautiful and well planned landscape Keep them in mind when selecting and placing the fixtures Be cohesive Create the same overall effect throughout the landscape When lighting separate entities such as a prominent tree or a featured piece of architecture the lighting should flow smoothly together Create depth The depth of the lighting design refers to the distance in which the viewers eye travels throughout the property For instance path lights create interest along the driveway while the viewer travels up toward the property Illuminating areas near and far from the property creates a 3 D effect Accentuate focal points Highlighting focal points such as entryways and stationary pieces creates points of interest These Landscape Lighting 101 Goals and design principles POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING LIGHTING Selection and placement of landscape lighting is crucial to achieving the desired overall look However a common mistake is to focus entirely on this process and not on the overall lighting system and problems that can arise Here are five things to keep in mind when purchasing lighting 1 Plan for long term function 2 Account for energy cost 3 Plan for consistent voltage 4 Account for bulb replacement costs 5 When purchasing a transformer allow the option of adding additional lights in the future 14 Landscape Hardscape Design Build I JANUARY 2012