Humanity is constantly growing — both in the sheer number and in the necessities and wishes. We’re managing to make use of the space we have with increasing efficiency. Skyscrapers are making ever-increasing use of space by reaching toward the skies. Being that both evolution and growth are part of the human experience, it’s only reasonable for us to start managing our environment to suit our needs. We’re not nocturnal beings by our nature. We’re meant to sleep at night, so we’re able to be up and about during most of the day.
Speaking of efficiency, our evolutionary path brought us where we are today. We’re pretty active during the night. That wouldn’t be possible without commercial outdoor lighting. We have developed a pretty complex system of commercial outdoor lighting solutions which make life easier. We can now move around at night safely and comfortably.
Most noticeable in the big cities, urban nightlife and all of its flashy lights have become the staple of our cultural experience. We have devoted the time of day previously used for rest to explore new social and economic opportunities. Such a paradigm shift requires us to meet some conditions. And lighting is one of the primary conditions necessary for enjoyable and comfortable nightlife. It has to adapt to people’s requirements.
Lighting can vary greatly depending on time and place. Early evening lights serve a different purpose than late-night lights. Evening lights should be mild and unobtrusive, but they also have to cover wide areas. On the other hand, late-night outdoor lighting needs to be discreet but efficient. It must serve its main purpose, but it must not bother the people sleeping in their homes.
What do you need to achieve the perfect commercial outdoor lighting solution? A delicate balance of purpose-driven logic and aesthetic finesse.
Commercial Outdoor Lighting Scenarios
Parks and Event Centers
Green areas are tricky for setting up effective lighting. These areas shouldn’t be too lit, but it’s quite unsafe not to light them enough, especially in the middle of the night. The light needs to be discrete and neutral, not to interfere with the nature around it.
Plaza and High Traffic Commercial Areas
Meeting places such as squares or tourist attractions are places that never sleep. They’re almost always crowded, and something is happening around them at all times. People are photographing all the time, especially at night. All of these factors point to a need for soft and diffuse lighting. It’s necessary for a comfortable and pleasant nighttime experience.
Street Views
You can find wide walkways in almost every town. And no walkway would be functional without proper lighting. Walkways are hubs of activity both during the day and at night. As such, comfortable lighting along these walkways is of paramount importance. While they mostly get plenty of sun during the day, the nights can get pretty scary. That’s why late-night outdoor lighting must be thoughtfully installed in these areas.
