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Landscape lighting is an art.
It requires the ability to understand space, form and balance. It uses shades of illumination to bring ordinary shapes to life.
Landscape lighting is also a science. It requires a thorough knowledge of the many lamps available for use in order to achieve the desired lighting effects.
Before deciding what and how to light, we must first ask "why light?" Our design decisions are dependent on proposed uses for landscape lighting for safety, security, property value, or enhancement of the beauty of the garden and structures. Most likely, the answer will be a combination of two or more of these uses. A specific technique can be employed to satisfy more than one requirement...for example, uplighting a prominent tree near the house entrance will provide safety, security and aesthetic enhancement.
Landscape lighting design is very similar to the design of the landscape itself. We must determine focal points, use areas, traffic patterns, outdoor "rooms," style, mood, etc. We need to consider how the proposed lighting will enhance the form, colour and texture of the soft and hard landscape elements. Lighting should serve to unify both interior and exterior design themes, conceal what may be unattractive and shape the view of the landscape at night.
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
All design aspects should be studied with respect to economics, functional requirements, and local conditions, but particular emphasis should be placed on architectural design, especially the interior and exterior attractiveness of the facility. Measures taken to meet design objectives are documented in the Design Analysis.
DESIGN QUALITY.
Excellence of architecture is the primary design objective, for the Recreation Center's atmosphere will determine its usefulness as a place for relaxation. The design should be informal, open, contemporary, and comfortable; it should promote spontaneous social interaction, permit a number of activities to take place simultaneously, andexpress the nature of the activities taking place.
FUNCTION.
The second design objective is to provide a functional facility that meets the requirements of the installation’s Recreation Center program. The design should be flexible to accommodate changes in recreation programs, activities, and the community's attitudes about recreation needs.
ECONOMY.
The third objective is to provide an effective facility at the most economical cost and least adverse environmental impact, To do so, the design must be determined by studies that use cost, values, and functional benefits to analyze engineering, economic and environmental decisions. Life-cycle cost analyses should appraise initial costs, operating and maintenance expenses, and replacement costs over the life span of the Recreation Center.
Landscape LED Lighting Design.
A New tecnology in exterior lighting.