While there are many possibilities with
the incorporation of professional landscape lighting into
the landscape, the most frequent use is to create a cohesive
environment that projects an owner’s attitudes and
effectively combines the lighting of focal points with
safety and security lighting.
LIGHTING FOCAL
POINTS.
Focal points usually fall into one of the five categories,
but there are others.
Large Trees
Speciment Plants
Art Objects
Architecture
Water Features
Before you light focal points, decide
which elements of the focal points need to be stressed
and from where they will be viewed. In all categories,
beauty must be considered first.
Large Trees
If the tree has open growth, let the light spill down
through the leaves and branches, creating interesting
shapes and contrasts in highlight and shadow.
If the tree has full foliage like some
pines, try cross lighting or using a grazing light. Trees
of this type also look dramatic when left dark while the
area behind it is lit for contrast.
If your focal point tree has an interesting
bark texture, try grazing it to accent this feature and
add a greater element of visual interest.
Specimen Plants
Consider hanging plants as well as ground plantings for
focal point lighting. Try to throw shadows of smaller
plants on walls and other surfaces for added effect.
Bonsai plants are very effective when
silhouetted to accent their unique shapes.
Art Objects
The general rule with art objects is to dramatize the
art piece as well as the effect the artist is projecting
in his work. When lighting art objects, make every effort
to hide the light source.
Architecture
The same rule applies with architecture as it does with
art, determine what points the designer was trying to
bring out in the architecture and enhance it. Look at
decorative construction techniques in masonry and wood
facades. Highlight the gables, draw attention to the peaks.
Two techniques; place fixtures at the bottom of the gables
and project the light up from each side so that it meets
at the tip of the peak, or place two fixtures under the
peak and aim them down to the lower edges.
Entryways
- Drawing attention to the front door itself is many times
warranted. The door itself IS a focal point. Hand-carved
wood, raised wood panels, artistic metal designs. Draw
attention to the door from overhead paying close attention
not to cast glare in the eyes of those entering and exiting
the building.
Atriums
- The objects in the atrium, columns, arches, breeze ways,
ledges, shutters, cupolas, weather vanes, and seasonal
and holiday flags can all be architectural focal points
that can have attention drawn by professionally designed
lighting.
Water Features
Fountains, fish ponds, and moving streams, all lend themselves
to the introduction of landscape lighting. Remember the
clarity & cleanliness of the water itself will in
most cases determine the approach. Filtered, crystal clean
water can be lighted either from within or from above.
Dirty water is usually best if lighted from above or used
as a reflecting surface to accent surrounding features.
SAFETY
‘Avoiding Injury’ - When evaluating the site,
special considerations of SAFETY should be pointed out
and made part of the design.
One of the most important reasons we need
quality professionally designed landscape lighting is
so the homeowner and their family can move about their
property in SAFETY after dark.
Walkways should always be lighted to prevent
anyone from tripping over obstacles and as a directional
guide for the people using them. Entryways should be carefully
illuminated. It is important to draw attention to the
entryway itself, but be careful not to direct light into
the eyes of anyone leaving the residence. Address numbers
should also be well-illuminated.
Other areas to light for SAFETY include
spas and pools, patios, barbecues, work and utility areas,
etc....
Changes of grade and elevation also require
safety lighting. Steps, stairs, gradual slopes and ramps
should always be well-illuminated and special considerations
made for those that use them in order that the light suits
the user.
SECURITY
PROTECTING loved ones is a number one concern. A well
lighted home does deter intrusion. It's a proven fact!
Security lighting has become a ‘must’
for homeowners. Security Lighting has two major functions:
1. Persuading potential intruders to avoid your lighted
premise; or should this fail:
2. Making it possible for you to see and identify any
approaching intruder.
The landscape lighting system will give
your property an occupied feel, so would-be intruders
cannot be sure whether or not anyone is home.
