Landscape Lighting

Studio Adelia paints landscape with light, transforming outdoor spaces into living canvases experienced and enjoyed long after the sun sets. We work in concert with clients, landscape architects, designers, installers, and maintenance teams to reveal the natural character in landscapes with respectful and elegant lighting. Following Dark Sky Principals with precision and craft, we use light and shadow to increase visibility, reduce light trespass and nuisance glare, and promote environmental assurance. Our mission is to reveal the hidden potential of every landscape we touch.

NOCTURNE

A nocturne is a painting or other work of art that depicts an evening or night scene. It focuses on the mood and atmosphere of the night, often characterized by soft, diffused light, muted tones, and a heightened sense of romanticism or mystery. We are inspired by nocturnes and want to bring a sense of magic and artistry to every nightscape.

DARK SKY LIGHTING

Many local municipalities have dark sky ordinances, especially in environmentally sensitive zones near parks and natural habitats, as well as in residential zones and dark-sky communities. We are familiar with these types of requirements and can help navigate the permitting process efficiently to ensure compliance with specific local, state, or HOA regulations. We provide the proper documentation to demonstrate lighting is dark sky compliant.

With warm white lighting, strategic placement, and proper beam control, landscape lighting can be both dark sky compliant and incredibly elegant. With automated systems, lighting can be turned off during peak startgazing hours, adjust brightness based on occupancy or set schedules, and create custom scenes to minimize light pollution after typical hours of enjoyment.

Better visibility is achieved when fixture sources are fully concealed from view and utilize glare shielding accessories such as shrouds, snoots, and hex louvers. Believe it or not, using more lights at lower intensities can actually increase environmental reassurance at night. We use full cutoff fixtures that direct light downward where needed, eliminating glare while maintaining a sense of cohesion and connection to the earth.

LIGHTING LANDSCAPES

Landscape lighting projects require a team with specialized skills. It is an investment to install and maintain tree lighting, so a qualified electrician with tree-climbing skills is required. We take the health of trees very seriously and recommend clients consult an arborist before investing in tree lighting. Pruning should be used to maintain air flow, sunlight and breathability of branches. Pruning is an art form and can dramatically change the character of the entire landscape, and should not be overlooked.

Having a team certified in installing low voltage lighting is paramount to longevity and ongoing maintenance of landscape lighting. They should be comfortable with aiming and adjusting lighting in trees, water features, and landscapes - as well as working with the lighting designer to balance and compose the scene. Lighting designers can collaborate with artists and landscape architects to determine locations for sculptures, specimens, and garden features - informing feasibility, plant material selection, and integration with architecture, retaining walls, planters, steps, and paths.

Tying landscape lighting control into a home’s control system can take coordination and care; having infrastructure put in during the home’s construction can save costs and preserve the landscape integrity. Having discrete control of various areas can be useful for different modes of living, from entertaining to stargazing and everything in between. Lighting designers can work with integrators to dim, balance, and set each scene for optimal mood and safety. Landscape lighting extends views to the outdoors and provides contextual integration to the site. It can bring appreciation for nature and the changing seasons, but takes careful consideration and maintenance to achieve lasting results.

Studio Adelia can assist with recommending the right team of professionals for your project needs and location. We would love to help bring your garden to life after dark!