Landscape lighting

Central Park on a foggy night

Landscape lighting or garden lighting refers to the use of outdoor illumination of private gardens and public landscapes; for the enhancement and purposes of safety, nighttime aesthetics, accessibility, security, recreation and sports, and social and event uses.

History

The public landscape and gardens have been illuminated for as long as interior structures have; for security, circulation, and social occasions; since ancient times by firelight from wood, candles, and animal-plant oil fuels in torches, sconces and lanterns. Since the 19th century's introductions of new interior illumination fuels, the technology has then been used outdoors and in gardens. As municipal systems were developed for their power delivery; Gas lighting of the 19th century and electric light of the 20th century became part of exterior functioning and design.[1]

Current

Conventionally generated and sourced electricity remains the most used source for landscape lighting in the early twenty-first century. With the combination of energy costs from energy demands, increasing availability of sustainable design methods, global warming considerations, and aesthetic and safety concerns in garden and landscape design the methods and equipment of outdoor illumination have been evolving. The increasing use of solar power, low voltage fixtures, energy efficient lamps, and creative lighting design are examples of innovation in the field.[1]

Power sources

The outdoor lighting can be powered by:[1]

Electricity
Other

Lighting components

There are many different types of landscape lighting systems, controls and switching, wiring connections, fixture types, functions-purposes-styles, and light sources.

Components can include:

Lamp Types

Underwater

An illuminated fountain at the Teatro Principal in Mexico

Upcoming

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Landscape Lighting Book ISBN 0-471-45136-3
  2. DIY Plans of simple autonomous automated electric torch

External links

Vendor web sites


Books

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, January 27, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.