Landscape Contractor / Design Build Maintain

APR 2014

LC/DBM provides landscape contractors with Educational, Imaginative and Practical information about their business, their employees, their machines and their projects.

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April 2014 29 possible. While not without issues, prewiring saves time and makes the installation much less intrusive on a newly completed landscape. Coordination with other contractors such as Elite Landscapes, Qual- ity Irrigation, and New Wave Pools was extremely important. Avoid- ing cut wires can often be difficult when working in and around new landscape construction, but by working side-by-side with these con- tractors, McKay minimized time spent repairing wire. Another challenge was making sure McKay had the correct fixture inventories at the right time. If a fixture needed to be installed im- mediately, it had to be in stock and a lighting technician standing by. Outfitting the fixtures with lamps of the correct wattage present- ed a final challenge. As explained earlier, the homeowner wanted minimal glare. Through continuous tinkering, bulbs that were too bright were exchanged for lower-wattage ones. McKay worked dili- gently to make sure that the client's vision for the lighting system was achieved. The sheer number of fixtures on this property is striking. The land- scape company worked hard to make sure that the grounds looked great during the day. It was McKay's responsibility to make sure that the landscape looked great at night, and was safe too. They were able to create a distinctive lighting system that fulfilled the homeowner's vision and catered to his specific needs. Top, Left: Nine well-spaced 20-watt bollard lights (Hadco) give the new paver driveway a stately look, while providing the "correct amount of light," the lighting professional's determination that combines esthetics with what is sufficient for safety and security. MR-16 20-watt down lights wash the brick column façades. Copper spots (MR-16, 35-watt) uplight the house, and the birch and crabapple trees. Copper lights (wedge base T3, Hadco) were also placed under the stone caps of the four natural stone walls and pillars. Above, Left: The client's desire for "resort-style" lighting that would also minimize glare is evident in the judicious lighting design of the outdoor kitchen, the eating area on the patio under the pergola, the fireplace, and the pool and spa. The safety and security lighting requirements were also met, allowing the homeowners to freely use their outdoor living area into the evening. Top & Above, Right: The lounging and hot tub area shows the LEDs rimming the pool and hot tub, and illuminating the water jets. Copper seat 4-watt halogen wall lights (wedge base T3, Hadco) are recessed in the paver steps up to the pool deck level, and under the capstones of the natural stone columns. Copper spotlights (MR-16 35-watt halogen) light the maple and evergreens. Well lights (20-watt MR-16s) in the lower patio pavers shine upon the fireplace. Three fire bowls sit atop the stone columns. DBM LC 026-029.indd 29 3/27/14 1:09 PM

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