Today, modern buildings need light not only for illumination, but also for aesthetic appearance. The reason for this is that thanks to the light, architectural details can be emphasized even in the dark of night. Thus, gardens and landscapes become visually interesting structures. In addition, landscape lighting in hotels and luxury sites is seen as an authentic and stylish tool.
The light color and lighting model to be used in the landscape lighting process have great importance at this point. Colored lights can be applied in modern buildings or gardens, but in historical buildings, using white and yellow lights with shadow is considered the right choice.
What are the Advantages of Landscape Lighting?
It is possible to enjoy the environment around us in the evening and at night as well as during the day. With landscape lighting, you can take evening walks and other activities until late at night without lack of safety and entertainment.
It is possible to increase the value of our projects when we show the same care we show to facade lighting for their natural and artificial environments.
Landscape lighting is extremely important for creating a nightscape. The first factor to consider may be road lighting, but landscape lighting is not limited to this. Falling the light at the right angle allows us to create a different view than what we are used to seeing during the day. Emphasis and shading help create an atmosphere that highlights bushes, trees, and clumps of flowers.
Landscape Lighting Process and Steps
In the landscape lighting process, it is extremely important to determine the targets, the areas to be illuminated and the lighting techniques to be applied. The objectives to be determined in the process of this lighting system, the areas to be illuminated and the lighting techniques to be applied are as follows:
Goals
- Using low voltage fixtures to prevent injuries and accidents
- Preventing intruders and intrusions
- To present a lighting system suitable for functions
- Beautifying the environment
- Creating a different atmosphere
- Adding glittery textures
- Creating various shapes and structures
Areas To Be Illuminated
Areas That Require Functional Lighting
- Pedestrian walkways and walking areas
- Stairs and building entrances
- Entrances of buildings, terraces, pools
Areas That Require Aesthetic Lighting
- Building
- Tree, flower clusters
- Fountain
Lighting Techniques To Be Applied
- Road and area lighting technique is used to illuminate plant clusters and roads.
- Uplight technique is used to highlight trees, plants and architectural elements.
- Texture lighting technique is used to emphasize the texture of surfaces such as stone, plaster, brick and tree trunks.
- Wallwasher lighting technique is used to provide illumination on low walls.
- Shadow lighting technique is used to create shadows on the walls behind trees or plants.
- Moonlight lighting technique is used to provide soft natural lighting on large trees.
- Backlighting technique is used to provide lighting around and around the edges of an object.
- The silhouette lighting technique is used to create an illuminated surface and contrast behind the unlit plant.
- It is aimed to provide general illumination by reflecting the light from the surfaces.
- Instead of using a single light source that creates a one-dimensional effect, cross lighting technique is used to highlight a surface texture and shape with more light sources.
- Wall lighting technique is used to illuminate wall surfaces.
General Criteria for Landscape Lighting Design
Landscape lighting works should be handled at the design phase and with the landscape architect. It is extremely important for designers to adhere to the following general principles during lighting design. These are as follows:
- Using the light where and when it is needed
- Creating environmentally sensitive systems instead of extreme powerful and misguided lighting systems
- Not disturbing drivers with misplaced light sources
- Minimizing electricity consumption by using energy-efficient equipment and systems
- Minimizing blue light emissions
- Preferring fully protected luminaires suitable for outdoor conditions
- Avoiding light pollution and being sensitive to the ecosystem
How to Design Landscape Lighting Systems?
The effective way to create a good landscape design is to preserve the mysterious atmosphere of the setting. At this point, it is extremely important to ensure that the light and shadows are in harmony. The best method to be applied in outdoor lighting is known as hierarchical lighting. This method enables the application of different lighting solutions according to the importance of the emotion desired to be emphasized in the space. For example, recessed or floodlight type lighting fixtures are preferred, which will provide strong emphasis for trees or architectural elements. In addition, step lights are used to illuminate secondary roads and steps. Technical or decorative pole type lighting elements can be used to provide functional or aesthetic lighting in parks and green areas.
Types of lighting fixtures, lumen outputs, color temperatures, beam angles vary. The reason for this varies according to the functions, the environment to be created, the types of plants (height, size, cover density, structure, shape, color, texture and location of the tree) and how much each element is desired to be emphasized.
Hierarchical lighting is also important in terms of controlling light sources in the environment for different purposes. Various atmospheres can be created with this hierarchy, which directs the lighting system control plan. In addition, this system can be controlled. Lighting automation systems allow the use of lighting fixtures in certain time zones and where necessary. As a result, energy savings are achieved.
The main goal of a lighting designer in the process of designing landscape lighting is to create a unique night scene. In addition, it aims to meet the needs of people living, working or visiting the environment. This night environment created should be safe, visually comfortable and pleasant. In addition, it is extremely important to have a living space where the necessary details can be easily perceived and respectful to the world we live in and to all living things.
How should Landscape Lighting Fittings Preference Be?
Lighting products used in areas such as terraces and gardens are extremely important. These lighting systems, which prevent accidents that may occur due to darkness, also offer the opportunity to have a pleasant time at outdoor places. Especially with the arrival of spring and summer, the increasing use of open space causes most of the daily life to be spent in these areas.
Landscape lighting systems, which are used for different purposes such as security, vision and aesthetics, are among the most important elements of open space design. Proper use of outdoor lighting allows maximum benefit from the space. It also helps the area where it is used to have an authentic and aesthetic view. In addition, these lighting elements, which create a pleasant usage area, can be preferred in different models. Landscape lighting systems that offer useful, rich and aesthetic spaces have different types and options.
The fact that the lighting elements are as economical as possible offers great comfort to the user. Solar powered lighting products are preferred more in places that receive sun for a long time. In addition, products or light poles stuck in the ground and pots are also extremely important for lighting systems.
