Landscape Light with Frank Lloyd Wright Taste

Date December 23, 2011



Landscape Light - Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Light

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Custom Light

When designing a deck and landscape project we decided to incorporate a half wall and planter to create and define space and circulation. We also wanted to have a sculptural focal point within the planter. The planter also sat right where an old light post was removed during the demolition phase of our project. So, we decided to find a light for the planter that would also serve as a strong focal element, this search proved to be to be difficult. We did find some landscape and outdoor lights that might have been able to work , but we did not find one that fit the space and the architecture just right.

The house itself has a low horizontal profile with four foot overhangs and a dutch hip roof.  All but a few windows were sliding glass doors giving the home a sukiya like feel.  This combined with the Japanese gardens from previous projects made a custom light with a Wrightian style also appropriate.  The light was designed to fit into a planter box with a base tall enough to allow plant materials to grow around the light without later covering the light.  I there designed the light with a 12″ high base and then planted Pachysandra, an evergreen perennials, that grows to height of about 8″.  This picture sown here is of the light just after we finished planting the perennials, so they are quite short.  We also designed the light with a square top that also has a deep overhang.  The square top was detailed with the square cut out, six per side and in groups of three.  We also wanted the light to have a nice simple glow to it, so we used one bulb inside with a white acrylic window.  The horizontals are simply dark brown stained cedar boards.  There is a small access cover from the center on top that can be lifted off to change the light bulb.  The dimensions of the light are based on a standard concrete masonry units, or CMU.  This means that he base of the light is designed to sit on top of a 16″ square pier, which we constructed with 8″x8″x16″ block.

I hope this light inspires you to create a sculptural work of art, with or without a light for a focal point in your landscape project.

If you would like our help with, please contact us, Niwa Design Studio, at 952-470-1882.



Category Posted in Garden Art, Landscape, Landscape Lighting, Sculpture

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