DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

There are numerous lighting techniques we can use to create a wonderful nighttime garden. One of our favorites we call MOONLIGHTING. If you have an abundance of mature trees in your garden, we can install lights high up in the canopy above branches and leaves. This will cast interesting shadows down onto the surrounding areas while at the same time, creating an inviting level of illumination in the surrounding area. This effect has to be seen to be believed. Another version of this is to mount fixtures high on the buildings, again, to introduce natural looking light into an area. The effect is only half as pleasing as hiding lights in trees but can still be effective.

Another technique we frequently use is GRAZING. In this, we illuminate the lawn areas so the client can graze sheep at night and save on lawn mowing bills. Many local authorities don't allow farm animals to be kept in residential areas, so grazing them at night helps prevent discovery by nosey neighbors. Just kidding. Grazing involves positioning a light in the same plane as an interestingly textured surface such as a brick or stone wall. This light will bring out the texture while providing reflected light into the surroundings.

We also up-light trees frequently, such as the tree on the right in the image above. By placing a light directly under a small tree you can create an effect that is quite unnatural and thus very attention grabbing, not only on the tree itself but in the shadows cast on a neighboring structure (there is a striking example on the residential page). We choose trees with open structures or interesting branch patterns. We will also, when the opportunity presents itself, aim light onto a light surface directly behind an interestingly shaped plant or object to present it in "silhouette". This can be very striking, as in the low bushes in the image above. Armed with all the above techniques, it would be easy to light up a garden like Disney World. The key to a good design is balance and subtlety. Usually what we try to do is introduce a general level of "ambient light" into the garden, ideally by moonlighting; and then, onto this "canvas" of light, select one or three interesting features to hi-light. These might be ornamental trees or a statue or something similar. Again, what we are aiming for is to produce a beautiful nighttime scene that is both practical and safe.

GLARE AND ILLUMINATION LEVELS
Glare is the enemy of good lighting. Glare is any bright object or light in your field of vision. Example.... car head lights. In good landscape lighting, the levels of light are so soft and subtle that even the smallest amount of glare can be annoying. You have to go to great pains to ensure that only the light's effect can be seen, not the light's source. This is not easy. For features that you are trying to bring attention to, like a statue, lighting levels need to be about twice as bright as natural moonlight. However, this can't be too bright or you will introduce glare again.

LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEMS
By far the most suitable lighting systems for installation in the garden environment, are known as LOW VOLTAGE. These are normally 12 volts and are therefore inherently safe. Not only are they more economical to install, they grow and develop with the garden. There is much less disruption to the garden as cables need only be hidden, not deeply buried. ILLUMINATA buries all its cables 3-6" deep, out of harms way. This process is easily accomplished without disturbing existing plant material or landscape structures. No mess!

	Creative Exterior Lighting Birmingham, Michigan
Home CD ROM Portfolio About Us Testimonials News Contact Us	DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS There are numerous lighting techniques we can use to create a wonderful nighttime garden. One of our favorites we call MOONLIGHTING. If you have an abundance of mature trees in your garden, we can install lights high up in the canopy above branches and leaves. This will cast interesting shadows down onto the surrounding areas while at the same time, creating an inviting level of illumination in the surrounding area. This effect has to be seen to be believed. Another version of this is to mount fixtures high on the buildings, again, to introduce natural looking light into an area. The effect is only half as pleasing as hiding lights in trees but can still be effective. Another technique we frequently use is GRAZING. In this, we illuminate the lawn areas so the client can graze sheep at night and save on lawn mowing bills. Many local authorities don't allow farm animals to be kept in residential areas, so grazing them at night helps prevent discovery by nosey neighbors. Just kidding. Grazing involves positioning a light in the same plane as an interestingly textured surface such as a brick or stone wall. This light will bring out the texture while providing reflected light into the surroundings. We also up-light trees frequently, such as the tree on the right in the image above. By placing a light directly under a small tree you can create an effect that is quite unnatural and thus very attention grabbing, not only on the tree itself but in the shadows cast on a neighboring structure (there is a striking example on the residential page). We choose trees with open structures or interesting branch patterns. We will also, when the opportunity presents itself, aim light onto a light surface directly behind an interestingly shaped plant or object to present it in "silhouette". This can be very striking, as in the low bushes in the image above. Armed with all the above techniques, it would be easy to light up a garden like Disney World. The key to a good design is balance and subtlety. Usually what we try to do is introduce a general level of "ambient light" into the garden, ideally by moonlighting; and then, onto this "canvas" of light, select one or three interesting features to hi-light. These might be ornamental trees or a statue or something similar. Again, what we are aiming for is to produce a beautiful nighttime scene that is both practical and safe. GLARE AND ILLUMINATION LEVELS Glare is the enemy of good lighting. Glare is any bright object or light in your field of vision. Example.... car head lights. In good landscape lighting, the levels of light are so soft and subtle that even the smallest amount of glare can be annoying. You have to go to great pains to ensure that only the light's effect can be seen, not the light's source. This is not easy. For features that you are trying to bring attention to, like a statue, lighting levels need to be about twice as bright as natural moonlight. However, this can't be too bright or you will introduce glare again. LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEMS By far the most suitable lighting systems for installation in the garden environment, are known as LOW VOLTAGE. These are normally 12 volts and are therefore inherently safe. Not only are they more economical to install, they grow and develop with the garden. There is much less disruption to the garden as cables need only be hidden, not deeply buried. ILLUMINATA buries all its cables 3-6" deep, out of harms way. This process is easily accomplished without disturbing existing plant material or landscape structures. No mess!



	Photos by AustinImage & Roger Foley