Spacing on large radius stairs..

[mrusk]

I'm doing a lighting plan for a large patio job where we have 25' radius stairs. What type of spacing would you go for with the intergal lights?

[Sierrascaper]

Can you pull up a light chart for that light and post it? how much ambient light is there with the plan as well?

[CaptainsLS]

The spread is so limited on stairs given the 8" rise. It really depends on how much you want to illuminate the stairs. I like 5'. Are they masonry stairs?

[Sierrascaper]

Nevermind I found it. I like to keep it around .2-.5 FC. Those have a real hot spot. There are some that spread it out more like the Unique Vanguard. Either way if you have lighting on the sides you wouldnt need more than 6 - 8' spacing alternated.

[mrusk]

Captain these will be versa lok stairs with 6" rise.

I have 14 pillars with a light on each one, but we are going to have them on a dimmer.

We have some serious lighting/electrical on this job. We are going to have it all automated and run it off a crestron system.

[mrusk]

anyone know how to shrink the size of a pdf file? It wont let me post the pdf of the plan.

[CaptainsLS]

Matt- Try uploading it now. I changed the allowed upload size to 3mb. PM me is the file is still too big.

[mrusk]

Well here is my masterpeice showcase project.

[mrusk]

here we go

[Sierrascaper]

Matt you should cut off the bottom section of that before you throw it up.

[bigvictu]

I'd do three lights: one in center, than spilt the middle on both sides. I'd also suggest staggering the lights on each step so that every other step had two lights. More than that and it will look like overkill.

[mrusk]

Thank you capatain. I was sitting here eating my eggs and read sierras post and was like 'oh ****'

[MuirView Design]

It sucks those massive steps can't lead down to a better focal point than a firepit. I'm sure it's due to property lines and grade restrictions, but it would be really cool if the steps could descend to the pool and you'd get some great reflections of the lights off of the pool water. Maybe throwing in a narrow curved arbor above the wall behind the firepit could add more flair to the downward view from the steps. Just a thought. It's going to be a beauty of a project!

[Sierrascaper]

Forget the pool, it should look out over a fountain. Fire pits are over done, and under used, and always have a dirty feel. A nice fountain is timeless and can be enjoyed everyday from April till Nov. Just my opinion. Has anyone ever seen the fountain behind Chrisandi's in Mountain Lakes?

[mrusk]

We could center the pool in the middle of the yard. I JUST HATE dropping the pool right in the center. What do you guys think?

[MuirView Design]

I think the design of the patio has a very classic feel to it and the grandiose size of the steps makes me feel that they should lead somewhere relevant or else it's a lot of show that is ultimately unusable space. Between the steps and walkways, the actual patio space is very disproportionate. If the steps lead down to the pool deck it would make a lot more sense and the view from the pool up toward the house would be spectacular. The placement and style of the pool now look a little disjointed from the overall design. I'm picturing some awesome shots of the pool with fiber optic spitters and in the background the tiered patio descending down to it, in all it's well lit glory. Just an outside perspective....but ultimately I would trust Marc's vision as well.

(All around the pool I'm picturing diamond patterned limestone slabs with grass joints! LOL)

[mrusk]

The pool wasnt exactly marks vision. Hes thinking something more formal centered in the yard.

[Sierrascaper]

Not unless it is the masterpiece of the pool company as well. I could see if it had some crazy 20' waterfall behind it, but otherwise I think it would take away from the lower courtyard feel that is going to happen. I'm telling you a nice 12' fountain with some Skyrocket Junipers backing it up would be sweet. And if you bring your attention to the east wing you can find the private natatorium. On the other side you will find the west lawn which caters to the occasional sporting event.

[Sierrascaper]

I also think the patio to walkway proportions seem off. I was more concerned about whether it would seem crammed in the wrong places once you get some furniture in there.

[Sierrascaper]

Too late on the edit. Maybe not on second look. The grand size of the stairs makes everything else seem smaller. Oh and did I mention a fountain would be cool. Just kidding.

[mrusk]

Not counting the pavers by the pool its around 3k sqft of pavers patio and walk. The patio is bigger then it looks on the plan.

[MuirView Design]

The pool wasnt exactly marks vision. Hes thinking something more formal centered in the yard.

I kind of figured. It seems it was his intention with the rest of the plan and then the pool was changed. I would ultimately trust Marc's vision as he is very "big picture" oriented and one of the best designers around.

The fountain is not a bad idea either. Although it would depend on the type of home and if you could pull it off with all the SRW going in.

In the end, just do what it takes to get the job. When you start thinking "Showpiece" off the bat, it always clouds your thinking....as we all have learned the hard way!

[MuirView Design]

Not counting the pavers by the pool its around 3k sqft of pavers patio and walk. The patio is bigger then it looks on the plan.

I guess so. It looks about 5" on my monitor! :pound:

[mrusk]

Honestly showcase is what we are going for here.

Since pool is not going in until spring, we arn't going to settle the final design until we get the permiter of the patio in next month.

[MuirView Design]

Well, you're definitely playing in the big leagues, so hit it out of the park then!!

[danf]

Skyrocket Junipers
I think I just threw up in my mouth.

[MuirView Design]

I think I just threw up in my mouth.


:pound::pound::pound: I like skyrockets in the right setting.

[Sierrascaper]

Would you prefer the ever lame arborvitaea, The overpriced black spruce, The disease ridden dwarf Alberta, or the short lived leyland cypress. Perhaps hemlock is a better choice. Junipers get a bad rap. 90% of the time it is not the junipers fault though, it is the numbnut that planted it in the wrong place. A 15' row of skyrockets, with a seating wall around a 10-12' tall fountain. Yeah I think that works. A row of Pfitzer around the same area with a firepit. Totally lame. Replace junipers with something else that in 10years will be 5' into the walkway, no thanks. Dan what is your suggestion?

[NCSULandscaper]

skyrockets get so spider mite infested that i have never planted one because we cant get 3 years of life out of them

[Sierrascaper]

Fair enough, this year has been bad for juniper mites as well. Easy fix though. I was just curious what the beef was with skyrockets. Really there cant be a suggestion until we know what is behind it. If we are looking out the back into the neighbors living room then there is one approach. If we are looking over a mountain valley or undeveloped acreage there is a different answer.

Matt, sorry to hijack your thread. Rocketman out.

[bigvictu]

I like the skyrockets as well as privet or maybe magnolias. It is North Jersey, so fountains are mandatory up there:dance: What's the rule of thumb for the fountains, 1 foot for every vowel in there last name???