Landscape Down Lighting

Downlighting is a very special facet of landscape lighting which requires some very special attention. The constant goal of seeing the effect but not the source is more important in downlighting than any other lighting application. I use a specialized, all copper fixture with an extended shroud and hexagon louver to help hide the glare. A very vertical trajectory is crucial, so if I can’t get close to straight above my target I avoid using down lighting at all. Whenever possible the fixture should be hidden behind a branch or in the crotch of a tree. Placing a fixture as high as possible can really help in not drawing the eye to the source. You don’t want to drive by and have your eye go to a lot of bright spots up in the trees. I’ve heard poorly done down lighting described as “alien invasions.”

See Landscape Down Lighting Project in our Portfolio.