Landscape Lighting Design Workshop with Rob DiSchino of Nightscaping®

In the "Landscape Lighting Design Workshop" attendees learned how to highlight outdoor features and how to use accent lighting to create silhouettes and shadows, and spread lighting to maximize their beauty. We explored landscape lighting design techniques and the interaction of light with different structures and elements in the landscape. Participants experienced the importance of equipment selection and placement to achieve a harmonious design.

Our guest presenter was Rob DiSchino, National Sales Manager for Nightscaping® in Redlands, CA.

Landscape lighting can have many purposes - safety, security, extended viewing and use, or enhancement of the beauty of the garden and structure. Well-designed lighting can transform a landscape into a dramatic scene and add the finishing touch to any outdoor room. It can add magic and illusion by enhancing some outdoor features while leaving others shrouded in mystery. Successful lighting design stems from knowing how to create effects and understanding how to balance light levels between areas of the visual composition.

Landscape lighting design is very similar to the design of the landscape itself: we must determine focal points, use areas, traffic patterns, outdoor "rooms," style, mood, etc. We need to consider how the proposed lighting will enhance the form, color and texture of the soft and hard landscape elements. Lighting should serve to unify both interior and exterior design themes, conceal what may be unattractive and shape the view of the landscape at night.

In this workshop Rob DiSchino showed how you can dramatically change any outside space with the right lighting scheme, whether your goal is to illuminate or highlight areas such as a pathway, deck, patio, pool, architectural plant or feature. He showed us what makes for a successful design and what common mistakes to avoid. He gave expert advice and guidance on the theory, design process, project needs, and techniques of landscape lighting. Whether you’re seeking to sculpt a landscape with light or make an outdoor space more useable at night you learned the creative and technical information needed to beautify your landscaping projects and consistently win client approval.

Please Welcome Jeff Barone as a New Steering Member

We would like to welcome Jeff Barone as a new steering member-at-large. Jeff is the owner of EssentialSpace Earthscapes in Newburyport, MA. We look forward to his participation in the operations of The Underground.

New Event Recording Notice Announced

Event Recording Notice
Notice Regarding Audio/Video Recording of Events

When you enter an Underground event (program, workshop or tour), you will be entering an area where photography, video and audio recording may occur.

By registering and attending the event, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by The Underground and its affiliates and representatives. You release The Underground, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.

By attending and entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by The Underground or the person or entity designated to do so by The Underground.

You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

Stop By and See Us at the New England Flower Show

This year they are calling it Plant Geek Night (Tuesday, March 11, 5:30-9:00) and The Underground will be participating. On hand will be several volunteer members to answer plant questions and distribute information about our "Find A Landscape Pro" wiki website where consumers can contact landscape professionals in their area.

We would like to say thank you to the following volunteers
Alya Shklovskaya, Joanne Neale and Russell Stafford. We really appreciate your contributions to our group.

Our heartfelt thanks also goes to our resident Underground authors for donating copies of their books for our drawing held at the show. Thank you to Barbara Gee, C.L. Fornari, and Vincent Simeone.