THE PROJECT
Light that brings the garden together.
The design began with the way a family garden is used. Lighting overhead needs to account for children playing, accidental knocks and ongoing exposure to the weather. We selected the electrical system, fittings and supports together, with safety, reliability and a neat installation guiding each decision. The result is a festoon system designed for long-term outdoor use, with as much attention given to its construction as its appearance.
Location
Myponga, South Australia
Design scope
Festoon lighting — 70m across three runs
System
Extra-low-voltage, heavy duty
THE LIGHTING LAYOUT
Three runs through the garden.
Seventy metres of lighting follow three routes through the garden. One route situated to illuminate the back yard, one to illuminate the driveway and walkways to the sheds, and another to illuminate the stairs to the patio. These runs connect the house, established trees and outbuildings, with a separate support wire carrying each span.
Three lighting runs connect the house, established trees and outbuildings.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Built to last.
Each run is supported by a separate black stainless steel catenary wire. The wire carries the mechanical load, keeping tension off the electrical cable and lamp holders. Stainless steel was selected for strength and corrosion resistance, while the support system allows the spans to be tensioned and held at appropriate clearances. This gives the lighting a secure, orderly structure across the garden.
POSTS & FINISHES
Details that belong.
Purpose-installed riser posts provide support at the buildings, avoiding improvised fixing points and helping protect the structures. We specified white posts to match the house and rustic timber at the shed. The supports are a visible part of the installation, so their finish deserves the same consideration as the lighting they carry.
ELECTRICAL DESIGN
Eliminated Electrical Hazards.
We specified 24v extra-low-voltage festoons to reduce electrical risk in an outdoor setting where children will be playing. That was a deliberate consideration in a garden where a ball or falling branch could damage a fitting or cable. Dedicated MeanWell drivers supply the festoon circuit, selected with reliable operation and component life in mind. The power supply is an integral part of the design, even where it sits out of view.
OUTDOOR FITTINGS
Electrical Equipment in
Extreme Conditions.
Wide spanning festoon lighting is an electrical system that couldn't be facing worse general environmental conditions. The specification combines IP64-rated fittings with UV-resistant rubber cables and shatter-proof globes. Dust and rain, sunlight, impact and everyday wear were all design considerations. Shatter-proof globes were particularly relevant to the family setting, reducing the chance of broken glass after an accidental strike. Together, these choices support the durability of the system over the long term.
EVERYDAY USE
Simple to live with.
A movement sensor and off/on/auto switch bring automatic and manual control into the same system. The three-position switch gives a clear choice between leaving the festoons off, turning them on manually or using the sensor. It is a straightforward way to make the lighting practical to use alongside the care taken with its electrical and structural design.
What clients say
