Across the nation, Landscape Architects either design their own landscape lighting in-house or subcontract the work out to a lighting consultant. If a subcontractor is chosen to do the lighting design, the Landscape Architect will often work hand-in-hand with them to make sure the layout and specifications are absolutely correct. Recent Landscape Architect and Specifier News surveys indicate that 49 percent of Landscape Architects do in-house landscape lighting design, while 33 percent hire subcontractors and the rest rely on vendors. According to Gil Jevne, RLA, of Schreiber Anderson Associates in Madison, Wisconsin, his firm subcontracts as well as provides in-house lighting designs by their own Landscape Architects, "We bid out as a design bid contract for lighting design if it is a large streetscape or a park. If the project is a simple one like a residence, we do it as a design/build." Landscape Architect Andy Bowden of Santa Ana, CA- based Land Concern explains his company's involvement when working with subcontractors, "We tell them what type of fixture we want to use; if we have a specific brand name or type we specify it to them. Sometimes, we ask our lighting consultant to give us options based on price or availability." Principal and Vice President Russ Butler of EDAW, Inc. in Denver, Colorado agrees, "We design the character and mood we want to achieve and we work with the subcontractor to achieve that goal. We provide the design character and they help us to achieve that because they are familiar with the technical capabilities and hardware."

Consequently, subcontract pricing for technical expertise varies greatly from project to project. For subcontractor pricing, the numbers seem to run in a wide range between $500 to $100,000. The smaller projects, such as uplighting a sign or a few trees, run around the lower end and the more expensive contracts depend on the time, length and size of the project. At the two-person firm of Surroundings Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama, Landscape Architect J.E. Starbuck works very closely with the subcontractors he hires for their restoration projects and states that the fees for contractors generally run between $500 and $1,000. As for landscape lighting designs provided in-house, the pricings also vary depending on a project's size. Landscape Architect Bill Dempsey of the Savannah, GA-based Branigar Organization, Inc. explains that the "lighting of a clubhouse would cost around $18,000" and projects on "whole communities with street and sign lighting would run around $30,000 to $40,000."

A multitude of lighting fixtures enhance today's landscape environments. For residential projects, Landscape Architects and lighting designers tend to utilize dramatic and sculptural lighting. At homes, lighting accentuates trees, plantings, sculptures and water features. Incandescent sources including low voltage, metal halides, and halogen sources are often used in these types of projects. Vice President of Landscape Sales Lew Waltz at Hadco comments, "Most low voltage sources will illuminate subjects that change, such as trees or plantings. They are also used around water features because there is no electrical shock. Low voltage sources are very easy to place around any kind of water features." He continues, "Metal halide, on the other hand, is used primarily for permanent installations on things that do not grow-such as building facade lighting, mature plant lighting, and privacy fences."

Landscape lighting is an essential project component of Meeks & Associates in Malibu, California. In fact, almost all of their landscape designs include landscape lighting. The firm was hired by a Thousand Oaks, CA resident to design the lighting for a backyard water feature. Verde finish, composite lights were utilized throughout to subtly enhance the outdoor environment. Meeks was also retained for a residence in San Fernando Valley, CA. The natural sunset creates a dramatic and elegant backdrop for the project. The pool and spa are subtly lit, but do not compete with the valley's night lights. Mini lanterns and verde finish composite lights were also utilized to light up the plantings and blend in naturally with the landscape.

In commercial areas, there are generally more energy efficient sources like HID (High Intensity Discharge), fluorescence and much less use of incandescence. Lighting Designer Edward J. Cansino of Edward J. Cansino & Associates remarks, "The use of broader sources of lighting such as HID and fluorescences usually do not make very good spotlights; in the case of the fluorescences, most of them are a line source and not a point, so there is less optical control. Lighting trespassing issues (when the light used in a pathway is disruptive and glares into the eyes of someone in an office or restaurant) must also be kept in mind."

Landscape lighting designs have definitely come a long way over the past decade, and are continuously changing and improving. Renowned and respected lighting designer Jan Moyer maintains that there are many landscape lighting trends in the industry right now "In the next year, we are going to see incredible changes in equipment...there is a different move from aluminum to composite, which is a strong medium but plastic designed, not corrosive and less expensive." She continues with enthusiasm, "There will be a real awareness in the landscape architectural industry and in the public of how fabulous and inexpensive lighting can be. I hope to see a lot of good designs."

In addition to the landscape lighting trends of today, Waltz explains, "Currently clients are constantly asking for fixtures that are low maintenance and durable. There are a lot of alternate materials as opposed to ten to twenty-five years ago, where copper, steel, and aluminum were used." He continues, "Today, a lot of manufacturers are using copper-free aluminum alloys, cast bronze, and other newer materials because they are more durable in the environment. The longer life lamp is actually one of the reasons why there is a sudden need for xenon and halides because they are longer lasting than the single incandescent light bulb."

Fifteen years ago only a carriage lamp lit up a walkway for neighborhoods or businesses. The lighting industry has grown in leaps and bounds. Today, in-house and subcontracted lighting designers look for durability, low costs and minimal maintenance as key factors in their landscape lighting designs. Another issue, safety, is also important for visibility and security through dark pathways and lighting a stairwell to avoid any harmful trips or falls. From nighttime beautification to safety, landscape lighting now allows lighting designers and lighting manufacturers to work hand-in-hand with Landscape Architects to provide clients with landscapes that show their unique personalities in a functional yet beautiful setting, and that simultaneously enhance and preserve the natural environment around them.lasn