Jan Moyer's "The Landscape Lighting Book"

[sitelights]

Written by Janet Lennox Moyer and published in 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-52726-2 (acid-free paper) Hardcover 282 pages including the index. About $100.00 new; now sold without a dust jacket which had an enlarged image of the photograph appearing as Color Plate 2 between pages 160 and 161; there are 29 color plates in total all of very high quality and content. Interspersed throughout the book are numerous b/w photos, drawings, illustrations, charts, graphs and site plans. All sources are credited at the end of the captions. This book was printed in the USA.

Be informed that this book will tell you much more than you want to know if you are a DIYer or are only casually interested in landscape lighting or are seeking a picture book. This book was written by a professional for professionals. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. publishers are noted for their scientific text and technical books.

As of January 2004 I know of no revised or updated edition but the content has held up remarkably well considering that the book was probably written in 1990/91. The preface is dated May 1992.

The Contents pages provide a comprehensive outline and are worth quoting in full. This book was apparently written within the rigorous guide lines of a doctoral dissertation. By referencing sections and sub-heads by number [example: II. (8.) Designing Control Systems /120 as "II.8/120"] tedious repetitive topic titling can be eliminated. I intend to give this book the attention it deserves and hope to maintain the same intellectual rigor as the author.

CONTENTS

[Roman numeral] "I. Project Development /1 (1.) Assessing Project Needs /3 [The sections are indicated by the page number after the / and sub-heading sequence numbers have been placed in parentheses ] Interviewing Clients and the Design Team /3 Reviewing Architectural and Landscape Plans /7 Visiting the Site /8 Synthesizing the Information /14 (2.) Vision and the Perception of Light /15 How the Eye Works /15 Designing for the Eye /17 Perception / 18 (3.) Luminous Composition /21 Defining Objectives /21 Expressing Ideas /22 (4.) Documenting and Installing Landscape Lighting /35 Conceptual Design Phase /35 Design Development Phase /40 Construction or Contract Documents /40 Bidding Process Phase /47 Construction Phase /48 Aiming and Adjusting the Lighting System /49 Follow-up Work /50

II. Materials and Technology 55 (5.) Light Sources /57 Physical Characteristics /57 Types of Lamps /60 Functional and Operating Characteristics /68 (6.) Light Fixtures /71 Selection Criteria /71 Fixture Types /76 Accessories /87 Safety /94 (7.) Corrosion, Materials and Finishes /99 Corrosion /99 Materials /107 Finishes /114 (8.) Controls /119 Control System Issues /119 Designing contro Systems /120 Types of Control Devices /126 (9.) Wiring /133 Power and Power Distribution /133 Elements of a Wiring System /141 Wiring Approaches /147 Planning for the Future /154

III. Applications 155 (10.) Residential Spaces /157 Working with the Owner /157 Design Considerations /158 (11.) Public Spaces /167 Design Issues /167 Equipment selection /172 Project Management /175 (12.) Atria /175 Residential Spaces /175 Commercial Spaces /175 Lighting for Plant Growth /177

IV. Elements of Design /183 (13.) Plant materials /185 Techniques for Lighting Plants /185 Evaluating Plant Materials /186 The Plant's Role in Composition /204 (14.) Sculptures, Architectural Structures, and Signage /213 Sculpture /213 Architectural Structures /220 Signage /225 (15.) Walkways abd Stairs /229 Walkways /229 City Streets and Sidewalks /238 Steps and Staircases /240 (16.) Building or Facade Lighting /245 Luminous Composition /246 Fixture Location /250 Equipment /252 Lighting Levels /254 Maintenance /256 (17.) Water Features /257 Design Considerations /257 Types of Water Features /262 Safety /265 Equipment for Underwater Use /266

Appendix: Lighting Manufacturers Directory /269 Bibliography /275 Index /279"

This is not a book to skim or devour in one sitting. I consider it a reference book; keep it handy. It is the keystone of the meagre selection of books on this topic and has no peer.

Over the next few months (Jan-Mar 04) I will be closely re-reading this book and making notes. This review will take some appreciable amount of time to write.

...to be continued...

[sitelights]

Only the attachment appears in this post.

[sitelights]

This post contains the cover image only. I will add text later. The 1st edition has 282 pages; the 2nd 402 pages.