On the one hand, the trends that everyone loves are changeable and fleeting, but on the other hand, there are stable trends that do not change for decades. This includes lighting solutions as well.
Artificial lighting in the landscape allows you to make the space safe and comfortable, as well as attractive, to form a certain atmosphere in which it is pleasant to be at night. Lighting solutions for the landscape are inextricably linked with architectural lighting and must correspond to the overall architectural concept of the project and the image of the space being formed.
Manufacturers’ catalogs have luminaries for every taste and for various tasks. The choice in favor of one or another luminary depends on the specific situation (from the layout, idea, task, materials, mounting locations, budget, etc.).
Lead design engineer of QPRO company Alevtina Kalinina highlighted the most obvious trends, in her opinion, in the field of landscape lighting for private and commercial properties:
1 – Sustainable and energy efficient solutions
Sustainable construction is probably one of the most popular construction trends of recent years. When it comes to “sustainable design”, it is important to understand that this is a special approach to products, processes, systems. It considers environmental, social and economic aspects. The goal of the “sustainable” approach is to minimize the negative impact on the environment, economic efficiency and social justice. For example, in architecture, sustainable solutions are achieved through environmentally oriented solutions through the use of high technologies. Sustainable development is impossible without energy-efficient solutions and lighting plays a significant role in the issue of energy consumption.
Manufacturers of quality lighting equipment now offer a huge selection of eco-friendly lighting devices with low energy consumption. Sustainable design tasks are provided by LED light sources with low energy consumption, as well as control systems.
2 – Smart solutions
Automation systems are an effective solution not only in terms of energy savings, but also for performing functional tasks.
In private and commercial properties, sensors are actively used to help automate certain processes. For example, motion sensors will automatically turn on the light when motion is detected, and light sensors will reduce the light flux or turn off the lighting completely at a certain time of day or on certain days.
In private residences, it is convenient to control the lighting through a control panel or a mobile application.
In public outdoor spaces you can find smart lighting poles that combine the functionality of a variety of equipment: lights, wi-fi units, elements of video surveillance systems, charging stations for electric vehicles and gadgets, warning systems, devices for monitoring environmental parameters, etc.
3 – Dynamics and color
When it comes to landscape lighting, where regular white light is used, it is always convenient to have pre-developed lighting scenarios. For example, this could be switching on/off or dimming in groups. If some areas of the territory are not used during a certain period of time, then you can, for example, reduce the intensity of the light or turn it off completely. It is convenient to have pre-programmed scenarios for use on weekdays (more discreet and energy-efficient options) or holidays (brighter and more festive).
You can also create a special atmosphere using colored light (RGB) or variable color temperature of white light (tunable white). Professional lighting equipment RGBW or RGBTW combines the ability to use colored light and white in one body.
Such technical capabilities of lighting fixtures allow to create more flexible, effective and impressive solutions. By integrating lighting with control systems, it is possible to set not only specific colours, but also color transitions, change the intensity of light or change shades of white. Lighting can also be interactive: the system can be configured so that the luminaires react in a certain way to presence, movement, weather or even sound conditions.
4 – Healthy Environment
An important topic is harmony with nature and a healthy environment. Light affects not only a person’s mood, but also their health. Following the principles of the international Dark Sky concept, you can make your small but important contribution to solving the problem of light pollution. The surrounding nature, like people, is affected by artificial lighting at night, which changes the living conditions, and as a result, the natural conditions and rhythms of flora and fauna are disrupted. To preserve the darkness of the sky, they use luminaries with luminous flux directed downwards, the amount of light is reduced if there is no need to turn it on at full power, and the light is used only where necessary. If lighting poles are used to illuminate paths and squares in city parks and other public street spaces, then in more intimate areas or on private territories, so-called “low light” is installed (bollards/posts – low lighting devices).
Now the safest, having the least negative impact on flora and fauna, are considered the light sources with warm shades of white. In the natural environment, it is recommended to use lighting devices with a color temperature of 3000K and below (warmer amber shades).
5 – High-tech materials and unique shapes
One of the trends in landscape lighting has become the use of new materials with interesting designer finishes and textures, responsible for modern aesthetics.
They make lighting equipment not only unique, but also the perception of the place itself with such seemingly small but important details, attractive and interesting.
Modern lighting fixtures are not just a utilitarian function, but also aesthetics and atmosphere. Both in private properties and in public spaces, you can see decorative street lamps that imitate natural forms. The high-tech materials and original finishes help to give an exquisite look to the products, as well as emphasize the special level of the public or private space in which they are located.
6 – Creating a safe environment
All modern technologies and innovative solutions are used to create a comfortable and safe environment for people. And this is achieved through a versatile approach to this issue: through compliance with regulations, technical capabilities of systems, analysis of the environment, knowledge of the specifics of human perception and the impact of light characteristics on human health. To design spaces that meet all requirements, they involve specialists who are able to take into account the maximum number of aspects that affect the final result. The most comfortable environment is obtained when specialists from different fields work in collaboration: landscape designers, architects, engineers, lighting designers, installation and contracting organizations.
7 – Aesthetics of space and art
Modern people are no longer satisfied with functional lighting; light performs broader tasks. The issue of aesthetics is relevant not only within the territory of a single country residence, but also on the scale of public spaces – hotel territories, residential complexes, business centers, squares, boulevards, parks. Over the past few years, there has been a demand for installations, sculptures and objects for the street and landscape, which act as art objects, aesthetically attractive and recognizable. Individual lighting solutions are developed for them: this can be static or dynamic light, a light show, mapping or multimedia. Such objects make their locations unique and attractive to people.
Lighting solutions and lighting design transform the environment. This approach helps to create a safe and practical environment for use, as well as an impressive atmosphere and unforgettable impressions.