Updating Lighting, Preserving Landscape Design

Landscape architect Lila Fendrick developed this English townhouse style landscape design for a client in Chevy Chase, Maryland, around 2000. While the garden has thrived over the years, the lighting technology implemented in the original design had grown outdated. Outdoor Illumination was tasked with bringing the lighting scheme up to date both in terms of technology and functionality, while making sure to maintain the integrity of the now-mature garden.

We used a rustic steel bollard to cast shadows on a walkway paved with Delaware River jack stone. We applied both downlighting and uplighting to the branches of a large black gum tree over over a patio in the front of the home, using light to create the feel of a lovely, separate outdoor space.

In the backyard, we added functionality to the whole outdoor area by installing a lighting system with two distinct settings: one strictly for aesthetic effect which uses uplighting to cast beautiful light up into the trees; and another with more downlighting, to provide clear ground surface lighting for events and kids' outdoor activities.