A Harbor Spectacle
For a rooftop outdoor lighting project located in Charleston, S.C., Moonlighting Landscape Lighting Systems was tasked by the residents to cultivate an outdoor lighting plan reflective of this unique space overlooking the Charleston harbor.
The space is the top floor of multi-floor home that essentially serves as the residents' outdoor living area. It is open, interactive and designed for entertainment, featuring a putting green that was to be used on a regular basis in the evening hours, raised planters with a wide array of trees to block some views and low-lying plants to allow views of the harbor, a seating area with a fireplace and an outdoor dining area where the new owners wanted to host dinner parties.
The Principals
The design for the project was put together by Matt Carli who has worked with the company for about 10 years and serves as its lead designer. Moonlighting was started in 1992 by landscape architect Mike Rollins with the sole focus of outdoor lighting design, installation and maintenance and currently employees about 16 people. Rollins is still very involved with the day-to-day tasks, especially in the commercial projects. And having worked with clients over the course of 28 years, many still seek him out as do a lot of professional partners.
Carli started in the landscape industry when he was about 14, mowing lawns and performing maintenance. After college, he returned to landscaping where he eventually was taken on by Moonlighting.
"I learned (lighting design) through Mike who I think is one of most talented lighting designers in the country," Carli recalls.
He also gets advanced training every year at AOLP and in fact this year, Carli received his COLD - Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer - designation and is the only one in his state to complete the 3-year program.
The Project