Landscape Contractor National's 2007 Best Lighting Effects
Compiled by Erik Skindrud, regional editor
What is the state of the art in
landscape lighting? The showcase we present here is our attempt to
answer the question in April, 2007. Anyone connected to this branch of
landscaping knows that it’s hot and it’s been growing by leaps and
bounds. The technology continues to progress, and established designers
and contractors are seeing how competition has been heating up as more
and more savvy professionals enter the field. But the test of lighting
skill and talent, of course, only happens when the sun sets in the west
each evening. Landscape lighting is a domain where skilled
professionals have the advantage. Experience allows installers and
designers to complete competent work that builds a reputation and
ensures steady business.
We
present the following group of photos to recognize jobs well done and
share a few design hints without giving away all these lighting
professionals’ secrets. (That just wouldn’t be fair; the following
contributors took the time to send these fine photographs in.) So,
relax, turn these pages and enjoy the show.
Balcones Landscaping, Austin, Texas
Photo courtesy of Balcones Landscaping, LLC/Tom Gilbert
Austin,
Texas-based Balcones Landscaping is a proud recipient of a residential
design award (for 2005-06) from the Texas Nursery and Landscaping
Association (TNLA) The artistic disappearing fountain with dry
streambed above is lit from within with a pond light
and given center stage attention with an up light. The drama continues
with up-lit tree trunks and lush tropical foliage. This small back yard
space is enlivened with a dry creek bed that meanders from one end of
the space to the other. A careful mix of up lights, soft wash lights,
down lights and path lights transform this area into a magical night
forest.
Illuminated Concepts, Laguna Hills, Calif.
Chuck
Evans has been in the landscape lighting business for 19 years.
Illuminated Concepts specializes in low-voltage and fiber-optic
lighting design and installation. In the above view,
lighting accents a stone walkway and planting bed at a residential
project at Newport Beach, Calif. Bullet lamps up light blue point
junipers that are trimmed in ornate topiary shapes. Down lights (with
directing shrouds) provide soft, non-glaring area lighting, controlled
with individual switches. Below, this attractive
courtyard looks ready for a performance of one of Shakespeare’s
better-known plays. Down lights with shrouds and honeycomb glare
filters cross-focus lights so the fountain can be viewed from the
entryway and the dining room windows. Bullet lamps mounted above focus
on the balcony to accent the architectural feature. Additional
micro-spread accent fixtures focus on plants in pots and illuminate the
stonework at the front entry.
Photos courtesy of Illuminated Concepts/Chuck Evans
All Lit Up Landscape Lighting & Design Indialantic, Fla.
Photos courtesy of All Lit Up Landscape Lighting/George Jacobs
All Lit Up Landscape
Lighting is operated by George Jacobs. Jacobs and family have lived in
the Melbourne, Fla. area for close to 45 years. In the above view
, the design team wanted to accentuate the dock against the background
of the beautiful Indian River, while utilizing the dark shadows,
pilings and light reflections on the water. In the below view,
project designer Jacobs wanted to create the appearance of a romantic
outdoor resort, without residents having to leave the home. The full
moon at upper left provides a beautiful background for the house and
garden in this view. Up lights used here are 20 watt, 36 and 60 degree
bullet lamps.
Botanical Decorators, Olney, Md.
Botanical
Decorators has been serving Virginia for more than 30 years, employing
landscape architects and lighting professionals for residential work
that has captured multiple design awards. In the above view,
path lights with LN-10 T3 bulbs gently illuminate the way to this pool.
In-ground fixtures (35watt MR-16) highlight the multi-stem branching of
the crapemyrtles. In coordination with Browning Pools, fiber optic
lighting was installed in the sheer-descent waterfalls. The system uses
a high-intensity light driver with a crystal color wheel to produce a
dazzling effect. The main pool lights have a polarized lenses that
reduces reflection and prevents bats and insects from being attracted
to the area.
Below,
the design for this poolside retreat includes the location of light
fixtures in the pergola for sustained ambiance throughout the evening.
Specialty light fixtures (DL-2236, 35watt MR-16) hidden between the
beams of the pergola softly illuminate the lounge area to create an
inviting atmosphere around the pool. A blue lens filter helps bring out
the natural colors of Pennsylvania flagstone.
Photos courtesy of Botanical Decorators/Stephen H. Wlodarczyk
Balcones Landscaping,Austin, Texas
Boyd Lighting Designs, San Antonio, Texas
For
more than 13 years, Jim Boyd has been using his lighting talents for
outdoor design work. Because this San Antonio, Texas home (above)
is on the Register of Historic Homes, the lighting had to present the
home in a natural and dignified manner. Having mature live oak trees to
work with, project designer Boyd chose a moonlighting technique using
12-volt halogen lamps with color correction lenses housed in shielded
fixtures. All of the illumination falling on the home comes from right
to left, so the shadowing is consistent and creates a natural
appearance across the face of the home.
The lower photo
shows a home with an abundance of beautiful stonework leading from the
motor court to the entry. The design uses fully shielded, 12-volt
halogen downlights from the adjacent live oak trees using grazing and
shadowing techniques. The superior color rendering and precise beam
spreads of the lamps bring out the rich textures and color differences
in the stones and surrounding landscape features.
Photo courtesy of Boyd Lighting Designs/Jim K. Boyd
Patrissi Landscaping, Harwichport, Mass.
Photo courtesy of Patrissi Landscaping/Kyle Milbier
Patrissi
Landscaping Inc. was established in 1938. Present owner Don Milbier
purchased it in 1981 and son Kyle Milbier has carried on the tradition
since 2005. Lighting is an important component of Patrissi’s business
these days. Surrounding this intensely-lit area (above)
are bronze MR-16 bullet lights. With their more narrow and precise
illumination, they capture the natural stone walls and display
specialty plant life and sculptures. The bullet lights also guide the
eyes along the edges of the sunken garden and reflecting pond. With a
broader cast, a group of wall-wash lights accentuate the tiered levels
of the room and capture the abundant texture. Atop the 20-foot
fieldstone wall hang kerosene lanterns, which push the exotic ambiance
to new levels.
Oak Crest Landscape Downey, Calif.
Photo courtesy of Oak Crest Landscape/Jim K. Ply
Jim
Ply has more than 20 years of experience in landscape and lighting
design. His portfolio includes cottages in Laguna Beach to estates of
Beverly Hills, among others.
Lush foliage surrounds the quiet garden retreat of this home (above)
in the hills of Los Angeles. The teak patio set sits atop a used-brick
patio and is flanked by two evergreen pear trees. The pear trees are up
lit with Apollo fixtures to frame the patio set and to reveal shadows
on the fissured bark. The trees also serve as a lighting platform to
downlight the patio set. The Ficus benjaminia behind the
patio set was up lit with two Apollo fixtures to add depth to the
space. There are 10 fixtures used to create the lighting on this patio.
Submissions Open for 2008
Landscape Contractor National is accepting submissions for next year’s lighting design issue. To be considered, send two to six high-resolution images to editorial@LandscapeOnline.com. Please put “April Lighting Issue” in the subject line.
LCN
is always looking for quality residential, irrigation, hardscape,
turfgrass, tree installation and erosion-control projects to profile.
Visit www.LandscapeOnline.com to learn more. Click on “Calendar” and then “Editorial Calendars” at the top of the page to learn more.
