DesignDirection-Sudbury:Hot Trends-Layout
4/11/13
4:02 PM
Page 68
“One of the best times of day to enjoy your landscape is in the evening. Homeowners are requesting outdoor fireplaces, spas and landscape lighting. Landscape lighting helps homeowners get the most out of their landscape investment. Advancements in landscape lighting products have made it easier than ever to add drama and practicality to outdoor living.”
~Ryan Macomber Registered Landscape Architect
The Evening Landscape When designing a landscape for the modern family it is important to consider how the space will be used after dusk.
Today’s family sees value in their landscape as an extension of their living space. They are looking at their landscape as an opportunity to create an outdoor kitchen, a seating area, a dining area or a place to unwind by the fire. Proper lighting allows homeowners to extend their outdoor living into the evening hours. Landscape lighting design goes far beyond practicality and safety. Landscape and structural elements can be illuminated to create scenes. There are a large variety of fixtures on the market that help do this. Using appropriate fixtures, strategies and techniques, the landscape architect can create a dramatic experience. Advancements in lighting controls and integration allow the homeowner and landscape architect to program scenes that change through the course of the evening. Homeowners are asking that their landscape lighting systems be integrated into their home’s lighting control systems. It is evident that landscape lighting has become another element in the outdoor extension of your home. The lighting industry is changing quickly as LEDs are becoming more popular. The quality of light that is produced by today’s LEDs is more similar to that of tradi-
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tional halogen and incandescent sources. LED technology allows for smaller, more efficient and more reliable fixtures. The limitations of a traditional low-voltage halogen system have been overcome. LED lights can seemingly be hidden anywhere in the landscape because of their small size, low operating temperature and low power requirements. With the biggest advantage being their low energy use, it is more environmental and economical to use LED fixtures. Whether designed for entertaining or relaxing, the landscape is popularly being used in the evening. Landscape lighting gives that “wow factor” to outdoor living spaces that everyone is looking for.
Sudbury Design Group 740 Boston Post Road | Sudbury, MA 01776 (978) 443-3638 www.landscapearchitectureboston.com