Hildesheim | Private garden

As part of the redesign of a private garden in Hildesheim by the office HNW Landscape Architecture, a matching lighting concept was created that accentuates the special garden spaces and creates a functional as well as romantic mood. The garden is structured in such a way that different islands for residence and flora follow one another. This rhythm, which follows an amorphous principle, provides variety and harmony at the same time. An oasis of inspiration and relaxation.

The apparent highlight of the garden is a wooden deck with FSC hardwood decking and water cascade, from which a watercourse with boulders starts. An adjoining bed completes the terrace construction and traces the shape of a ship. In terms of lighting design, the structural elements of the watercourse, the wall with waterfall and the existing vegetation are highlighted with ground-level lighting. The seating element on the wooden deck is also emphasized with indirect light, creating a unique lounge area.

A smaller and atmospheric retreat is provided by another wooden deck with FSC hardwood decking and drywall enclosure under a grove of trees. To extend its useful life in the dark evening hours, the wall enclosure is accented with a warm white light gradient. To accomplish this, a line of light is installed on the wall heads from both sides, creating the light gradient toward the center. The dramatic light effect created by the irregular surface structure of the wall gives the place an atmosphere with a special quality of stay. Another eye-catcher in the garden is the illuminated art object in the middle of a bed of topiary. The sculpture gets its romantic illumination from one or two points of light coming from “invisible” light sources. Soft light, without harsh shadows, provides a uniform appearance. Isolated light effects can be found in the form of light glitter and natural shadow play on the plants growing in the immediate vicinity, such as the hedge.

The tree lighting of the pine group forms a contrast to the comfortably illuminated lounges. New plantings of cherry trees and olitarian fan maples gain additional value at night with seasonal lighting.

The lighting is realized per tree by two to three ground recessed luminaires, whose white light color can be changed. The color of the light and the angle of illumination depend on the seasons and the tree species. In the winter time cold-white light and a narrow light emission angle dominate, in the summer warm-white light and a wider light emission angle. This emphasizes the colors of the leaves and blossoms during the summer and fall seasons, while the trunks and branches are brought out in the winter.

The result is a particularly atmospheric garden that offers both larger and smaller groups places to stay, which can also be used in the evening hours thanks to an atmospheric and contrasting lighting concept.