Features of landscape lighting

Lighting in landscape design is used not only to illuminate the area around houses in the private sector, it can be used to illuminate the area adjacent to a business center or industrial building, a park in front of a historical museum or a store with parking.

The main methods of landscape lighting

The following methods of landscape lighting are used to create a three-dimensional picture:

• frontal lighting evenly and uniformly emphasizes large planes;
• contour or silhouette lighting, characterized by the fact that the light source is placed behind the illuminated object, emphasizing its silhouette;
• side lighting is used in cases where it is necessary to emphasize the size of the object, visually increase its scale;
• backlighting of green spaces makes it possible to give the illuminated object an unusual look, stretching the object in height;
• spot lighting allows you to place visual accents, show the direction of movement or highlight landscape features.

The combination of these landscape lighting methods makes it possible to create unique architectural and lighting effects.

The lighting plan in landscape design is built so that the dominant feature of the ensemble is the main building. It is on it that the lighting accent is made. The rest of the lighting is placed evenly across the entire area and they try to avoid sharp contrasts between light and shadow, focusing on large plants, small architectural forms, and pedestrian paths.

Types of landscape lighting

The following types of landscape lighting are distinguished by the type of illumination:

1. Architectural lighting makes it possible to highlight the architectural features of a building, the texture of the walls, the features of the roof, and the elements of the facade. Lighting devices are installed on the illuminated building or on the ground.
2. Marking illumination highlights the contours of the perimeter, designates places for movement. For this purpose, LED paving stones or ground lights are used.
3. Functional lighting, which in turn can be divided into:

• General, which emphasizes the general plan of the territory and is provided by powerful lamps or spotlights on high supports.
• Working, which illuminates work areas at night.
• Security, which allows you to view the entire territory using video surveillance.
• Emergency, which will ensure the evacuation of people in difficult situations. An additional energy source is provided for it.

If we talk about the types of landscape lighting by the type of object, the following can be distinguished:

• Lighting of small architectural forms;
• Lighting of fountains and natural reservoirs;
• Navigation lighting;
• Lighting of pedestrian areas and car parking areas;
• Marking lighting;
• Plant lighting.

When creating landscape lighting, it is necessary to take into account not only the laws of optics, but also the logic of design.

Landscape lighting can completely transform an object, the main thing is an individual approach. With the help of a directed beam of light, you can emphasize what seems invisible in daylight. It is not necessary to limit yourself to installing lamps along pedestrian paths or lighting trees.

Decorative lighting in landscape design creates a special mood, allows you to correctly place visual accents, draw attention to a particular object and organize the space, facilitating navigation. Landscape lighting of large areas allows you to highlight certain zones, and to mark the boundaries of small ones.

Types of landscape lighting

There are many types of landscape lighting, in most cases directional lighting equipped with reflectors and screens is used. The features of landscape lighting are such that it is advisable to use diffusers.

Here are the most commonly used landscape lighting fixtures:

• A floodlight is a universal device that is widely used for all types of directional lighting.
• Spherical  devices are a source of non-directional light. It illuminates 360° in a circle. It decorates the space in itself, has a decorative function. Such lighting devices are installed in parks, recreation areas.
• Reflected light lighting devices. Light reflected from a wall or ceiling is very soft and does not tire the eyes.
• Built-in or hidden luminaires are used to illuminate an object without drawing attention to the light source.
• Road luminaires are used to illuminate access roads, parking lots, and roads.
• Park luminaires are used to create both general and decorative lighting. These are ground-mounted or low-pillared devices that provide diffused or soft light.
• A spot luminaire provides a focused beam of directional light and is usually used for decorative purposes.

Ground luminaires illuminate certain corners of the garden only at night; they are almost impossible to see during the day, while large lighting fixtures can perform decorative functions even during the day.

Landscape lighting combines a solution to both a functional and an aesthetic problem. Unlike architectural lighting, in which the object is buildings, landscape lighting is aimed at illuminating vegetation, water bodies and plants, which are the habitat for many representatives of the animal world. When placing lighting fixtures, it is necessary to remember about environmental friendliness. Preservation of nature and habitats of birds and animals should be a priority for the designer. It is necessary to take into account the standards of illumination level, light pulsation.

Lighting fixtures that illuminate a limited area can be placed at different heights. For example, to illuminate a pedestrian zone, lamps placed on supports of different heights can be used. At the same time, they can be used with lamps located in the middle lighting tier, designed to illuminate plants, as well as ground lamps built into the curb or directly into the surface of the hard surface of the path.

Designing a landscape lighting concept

Designing a landscape lighting concept includes the following steps:

• Analysis and study of the landscape: assessment of its features, relief, vegetation and architectural elements.
• Defining the goals and objectives of lighting: determining what functions the lighting should perform (safety, emphasizing architectural details, creating an atmosphere, etc.).
• Developing a general concept: determining the general style and nature of lighting, choosing and arranging lighting fixtures.
• Selection of lighting fixtures: choosing luminaires that will meet the specified requirements and characteristics of the landscape.
• Developing a lighting scheme: determining lighting points, calculating the required lighting power, developing a wiring diagram and connecting lighting fixtures.
• Installing and adjusting lighting fixtures: installing luminaires and adjusting their parameters (direction of light, brightness, color temperature, etc.).
• Lighting testing and adjustment: checking the functionality and efficiency of lighting, making necessary adjustments.
• Maintenance and service: regular maintenance of lighting fixtures, replacing lamps and repairing the system if necessary.

Since the main functions of landscape lighting are safety and aesthetics, when thinking over a lighting plan, it is important to remember that the area should not be illuminated selectively, the main goal of the project is to create a uniform picture with several dominant lights illuminated in accordance with the chosen concept. Accordingly, it is necessary to think through the organization of lighting for the following zones:

• plot boundaries;
• central building and secondary buildings;
• access road, gates;
• entrance group;
• green spaces;
• pedestrian paths.

Landscaping Lighting Fixtures

Landscaping lighting fixtures must meet the following criteria:

• Lamp housings must have a moisture and dust protection level of at least IP65;
• Electrical protection class for outdoor lighting fixtures - II;
• Provide high light output, which allows you to save on electricity and use cables of a smaller cross-section;
• Must function with temperature changes, at different times of the year;
• Have an optimal color temperature for the human eye - 4000-5000K.

LED lamps meet all the requirements for lighting landscapes of areas, squares and parks. They have maximum light output, are economical and have excellent color rendering, as well as a service life of 50-100 thousand hours.