1. Night lighting of buildings

The most commonly used night lighting for buildings includes flood lighting, contour lighting, and internal transparent lighting.

The floodlighting of building facades is the use of floodlights to directly illuminate the building facade at a certain angle calculated according to the design, reshaping the nighttime image of the building. Its effect can not only show the overall appearance of the building, but also effectively express the shape, three-dimensional sense, decorative stone materials and material texture, and even decorative details of the building.

Flood lighting is not simply reproducing the daytime image of a building, but using the means of projecting light, color, and shadow to reshape the building’s more moving, beautiful, and magnificent image at night.

Architectural contour lighting is the use of line light sources (string lights, neon lights, melamine lights, light pipes, LED light strips, whole body luminous optical fibers, etc.) to directly outline the building contour. Using narrow beam light to illuminate the edges of buildings can also serve to outline the contours.

Internal transparent lighting refers to the use of indoor light or lighting fixtures installed in special locations to transmit light from the interior of a building to the outside, creating a delicate and transparent night lighting effect.

2. Night lighting of the square

The shape and area of the square are neither fixed nor diverse, and the setting of lighting must focus on meeting functional lighting as a prerequisite. Based on the inherent characteristics of the square, the function of the square should be fully utilized.

Square landscape lighting should first unify the landscape lighting of the buildings around the square with the lighting of the square area, coordinate the lighting of the square and the surrounding roads, and unify the inherent culture.

Square lighting mainly consists of fountain, square ground and landmarks, tree arrays, entrance and exit lights of underground shopping malls or subways, and environmental lighting such as surrounding green spaces and flower beds.

3. Night lighting of the bridge

Modern bridges are mostly modern steel cable cable-stayed bridges, including double tower cable-stayed bridges and single tower cable-stayed bridges. The distinctive feature of a cable-stayed bridge lies in its cables. The lighting of the bridge will focus on highlighting this feature, using different lamps and unique artistic techniques, with a huge harp standing on the river.

In order to enhance the overall festive atmosphere of the bridge, one artistic lighting fixture can be placed every 4-5 meters along the road on both sides of the bridge, linking them into a sparkling pearl necklace.

The facade floodlighting of the main tower can be divided into three aspects. When projecting light from bottom to top, the entire main tower should be illuminated with crystal clear and flawless white light, which is the most important aspect of the bridge landscape.

In order to fully illuminate the main tower and achieve good perspective effect, a platform should also be set up under the road surface, and floodlights should be used to illuminate the upper part of the tower base from top to bottom, making the lighting effect of the tower like a giant standing on the river water.

4. Landscape lighting of the tower

The tower body is usually composed of several basic parts such as the base, body, and top, which form a harmonious whole. Architects assign corresponding meanings to each part during the design process. They all have corresponding roles or functions, and from an aesthetic perspective, their aesthetic value lies in erecting a landmark for an area. So the complete lighting performance of each part of the tower is very important, and showing only one part or favoring one over the other will distort the overall image of the tower.

The lighting settings of each part of the tower should consider the viewing needs. The top of the tower is usually used for remote viewing, and the lighting brightness should be slightly higher.

The tower body is often the part with rich details and carries the architectural style. Therefore, targeted lighting techniques should be selected to meticulously depict the tower components and decorations, and emphasize the main parts of the tower body through lighting techniques.

The tower base is the near human part, and the lighting performance of this part is to achieve the integrity of the tower image. The lighting set for them should take into account the feeling of people when viewing up close, and the configuration of lighting brightness, color tone, and light projection direction should be aimed at human visual comfort.

As for the entire tower, from bottom to top, the illuminance of the lighting should gradually increase, which can create a sense of towering height and also conform to the visual laws of people when viewing scenery.

5. Landscape lighting for overpasses

Overpass bridges are often located on urban transportation arteries and are an important part of the overall landscape lighting effect of the city. Looking at the overpass from a high vantage point in the distance, there are lanes that run up and down and then scatter in all directions. The image of a lane is mainly represented by the railings along the edge of the lane. The relationship between multi-level and multi lane vertical overlap, as well as the expression of the depth of the layers, is what truly reflects the landscape charm of the overpass.

Green spaces should be set up in the overpass area, which play an important role in adjusting the landscape environment of the bridge area and should be fully utilized.

Viewing the panoramic pattern of the overpass from a high perspective, there are not only the contour lines of the lane edges, but also the composition and sculpture of the lights in the green space, as well as the bright lines formed by the street lamps in the bridge area. These lighting elements are combined to form an organic overall picture.

6. Landscape lighting for water features

Water features are an important component of garden landscapes. There are many forms of water scenery, including large lakes with open water surfaces and rippling blue waves, as well as streams, fountains, waterfalls, and cement pools.

The main method of night lighting on the water surface is to use the real-life scenery of the water surface and the illumination of trees and railings on the shore to form reflections on the water surface. The reflection and the real scene complement each other, creating a contrast between the two. Combined with the dynamic effect of the reflection, it creates a lively and beautiful atmosphere.

For fountains and waterfalls, underwater lighting can be used to arrange underwater lights of the same or different colors in a certain pattern and shine upwards, creating a magical effect and unique charm.

7. Landscape lighting of trees

Trees are one of the four essential elements that make up a garden landscape. There are a wide variety of tree species with various shapes and sizes. In addition to beautifying the environment for human viewing, they also have the function of regulating and protecting the environment. Lighting should be treated differently based on the height, size, external characteristics, and color of trees.

8. Functional lighting of park roads

Lighting method for park roads: Roads are the veins of the garden, leading visitors to various scenic spots from the entrance. The path twists and turns, creating a unique and winding effect that leads to secluded surroundings. The lighting method should closely follow this characteristic.

9. Landscape Lighting for Sculpture Pieces

Sculptures and symbols in gardens, one type is ornamental; The other type is commemorative. Lighting should be based on the characteristics of the sculpture, especially on key parts such as the head, posture, materials, colors, and surrounding environment. It is recommended to cast light from the side from top to bottom, rather than uniformly shining from the front, in order to create a realistic, appropriate, and three-dimensional lighting effect. Narrow beam lamps should be selected with appropriate light sources, avoiding the direction of visitors’ line of sight to prevent glare interference.

10. Landscape Lighting of Ancient Buildings

Chinese classical architecture can be described as unique and self-contained, with its own inherent characteristics in materials, shapes, plans, and spatial layouts. The main building is centered, while other buildings develop towards both sides along the central axis. The architectural form is basically composed of three parts: step foundation, roof, and body.

The roofs of classical Chinese architecture are often made into soft curves, with flying eaves and high stilts on all sides, covered with green and gray tiles or glass tiles, which is one of the inherent characteristics of classical Chinese architecture. Therefore, accurately grasping this characteristic and highlighting it in the form of lighting at night is the key to lighting classical Chinese architecture.

The unique formation of Chinese classical architecture is the door arch made up of interlocking end trees. The oil painted decorations on the beams, pillars, doors, and arches enhance the beauty of the building through colorful patterns. The use of appropriate lighting fixtures and the selection of suitable light sources are the key points of lighting in classical Chinese architecture.

Considering that the layout, form, color, and materials used in the lighting treatment of Chinese classical architecture are different from modern architecture, the lighting use, color matching, and lamp design should highlight the characteristics of ancient architecture and strive to accurately express its unique classical architectural culture and artistic connotation.

When carrying out specific design, flexible application should be made, and different landscape lighting methods should be adopted according to the specific situation of the designed object.

2、 Notes on Landscape Lighting Design

1. The unity of whole and part, part and individual

Every landscape lighting project in the city is a part of the overall urban lighting, which should reflect the characteristics of the local area and meet the requirements of the overall urban lighting planning. In a local area, the lighting of each building (structure) or node must be coordinated with the style and form of landscape lighting in the area while exhibiting their own characteristics. Therefore, in the process of landscape lighting design, the positioning and style of landscape lighting projects should be determined from different spatial scale modes, taking into account both the impact of the surrounding environment on the project and the impact of the project on the surrounding environment and even the overall urban night landscape after completion; Not only considering the current construction needs, but also having a certain foresight to meet the needs of sustainable development in the future.

2. The unity of artistry and technicality

Landscape lighting should consider the viewing effect of lights at different distances and angles, and show the unique characteristics of each project at night. At the same time, it should not damage the daytime landscape effect. Sufficient consideration should be given to the reliability of installation, convenience of maintenance, and safety of operation. We often see such failures, such as the installation of large lamps and exposed pipelines on pavilions, towers, or similar buildings, which almost destroy the beauty of the original building; The projection angle and installation position of some lighting fixtures are unreasonable, which increases the difficulty of installation, makes maintenance inconvenient, and even poses a threat to the safety of tourists and pedestrians; Some brackets on high-altitude walls are severely corroded, and pipelines are swaying outside the curtain wall glass. The scorching floodlight glass is within reach. These phenomena can be avoided through careful design at the design level while ensuring the artistic effect of lighting.

3. The unity of lighting effect and humanistic care

Landscape lighting is designed to meet the needs of visitors to appreciate the scenery at night. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize the people-oriented approach, providing people with both elegant and comfortable lighting environments, as well as ensuring a safe lighting environment. In design, lighting design effects can be achieved by reasonably setting the position of lamps, selecting light blocking lamps, adding shading plates and grilles, and avoiding the generation of light pollution and safety hazards.

4. The unity of technicality and economy

In terms of design, landscape lighting projects should adopt technologies, materials, and products that meet green lighting conditions to the greatest extent possible. New light sources with long lifespan, high energy efficiency, and good stability such as LED lights, T5 tubes, solar lights, energy-saving lights, and ceramic metal halide lights should be used to achieve energy savings from the source, and various methods (such as using electronic ballasts, capacitor compensation, etc.) should be used to improve the efficiency of the lighting system. In the layout, wiring, and installation of lighting systems, full consideration should be given to human safety, fire prevention, theft prevention, and easy maintenance. At the same time, the principle of cost-effectiveness should be applied to consider the economic feasibility of investment. In terms of on/off light control, regular timed automatic control should be implemented, with different scenario modes set for weekdays, weekends, holidays, etc; In special circumstances, the time and range of turning on and off the lights can also be flexibly adjusted. By real-time monitoring of operating conditions, timely detection and troubleshooting of faults, reducing maintenance labor intensity, and improving work efficiency, it has good social and economic benefits.