Lighting is an important element in a design as it allows for more availability, safety, and beauty that simply isn't possible during the day. Here, LASN felt that these unique landscape lighting elements were worth showcasing because of the techniques used, the nature of the lighting, and the exceptional design of these features.

Garfield Residence
In the heart of the serene woodlands of Hunting Valley, Ohio, stands a timeless gem - a 1929 summer house meticulously designed by Abram Garfield, the son of President Garfield. Today, approximately 20 acres of the original estate remain, serving as a year-round residence for another local family. Virginia Burt Design was challenged with breathing new life into this classically inspired landscape while preserving its historical integrity.

The lower garden skillfully balances formality with rustic finishes. Dry stack stone walls delineate the north-south axis, creating a harmonious view from within the house and aligning with a reflecting pool and classical sculpture. An immersive experience is crafted with a selection of plants, distinguished by their color, form, and texture such as Vardar Valley,' Vardar Valley English Boxwood, and Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead,' Old English Lavender.
The addition of moonlighting creates a magical ambiance, inviting visitors to embark on enchanting journeys year-round. This extension of garden spaces in a northern climate enhances the property's humanistic beauty and experience.

The landscape lighting for this residence emphasizes the historical symmetry of entry, key viewpoints,

 
and architectural axes, and is provided where safety is critical.

In the entry, mirrored plantings allowed a balanced series of up-lighting techniques of branch structure, foliage, and rhythm. Further, entry pillars and steps each received a gentle wash to ensure enough light for safe passage to the front door.

A marble statue at the heart of the sunken garden was lit using low voltage up lights that were 4000k to emphasize the white tone of the sculpture.

Midwest Solitude
Found in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of Indianapolis was tasked with the lighting design of the private residence affectionately named Midwest Solitude.

The canvas for this project extends across the entire width of the backyard to include the illumination of specimen trees, lower colorful plant material, and paving. The scope also crept into the backwoods along a pathway that led to a fire pit and gathering area. These spaces were all considered from four to five different visual vantage points to ensure the best sightlines. The design also had to consider the location's changing seasons to accommodate various lighting condition.

There is a wide variety of light fixture types used in the project including path lights, directional spotlights, and floodlights for illumination for a variety of trees, in-ground well lights, hanging pendent, and mounted downlights to cast light down. LED lamps in varying lumen outputs and beam spread for the correct composition were specified. LED is preferred because it can be updated as a landscape grows and changes.

The main challenge for this project was the lighting of the primary sculpture in the center of the garden. The lighting was designated to be soft while not creating visual competition, allowing for visual prominence from at least two to three main vantage points inside the home. Then, the design needed to illuminate the walkways around the house and up to the firepit area without getting too "hardware heavy." Lastly, the homeowners wanted the lighting to illuminate a small millstone fountain at the front edge of the patio. The homeowners can control the design with a photocell system which is also energy efficient. The strategic placement of fixtures, careful consideration of viewpoints, and meticulous attention to detail have resulted in an outdoor haven that encapsulates the essence of the property.

Residences at 55 Public Square
The design team began the redevelopment of the Residences at 55 Public Square in Cleveland, Ohio, by looking at how the office tower could best be renovated to accommodate the vision K&D had for the building and what exterior alterations would be allowed by the State Historical Society. Craig Brown, ASLA, of HWH Architects Engineers Planners, Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, was brought in to spearhead the plaza design and exterior lighting.

The central piece of Public Square development was constructed adjacent to K&D's project with the Sherwin-Williams Worlds Headquarters complex. The team immediately identified the important aspects of the property mix on Public Square by analyzing the recently completed James Corner design and reviewing the existing site features of 55 Plaza.

The lighting concept utilizes integrated fixtures from various manufacturers to produce enough illumination to enhance safety while creating more subdued areas for residents and patio diners to enjoy. For example, the design team worked to illuminate the space without excessive foot candles through updated design techniques like new luminaire heads, eliminated street lights and LEDs.

The dramatic lighting effects that identify the 55 public square tetrahedron sign, the Fahrenheit restaurant identification sign, and the outdoor heaters which are used near the restaurant's steps and in the enclosed dining patio were dramatic additions for focus. Dion Art developed the steel laser cut; powder powder-coated tetrahedron. The Ukranian company worked with the landscape architect to develop a unique branding piece. The signature LED triangular pyramid is controlled by a DMX controller. The LED bulb is shaped specially for this piece and placed in a downward angle to create the light.