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Architecture does not end at the walls of a building; it extends toward the landscape, courtyards, and terraces. For architects and interior designers, outdoor lighting is not simply a matter of security or visibility; it is a narrative tool capable of transforming spatial perception, highlighting textures, and creating a fluid continuity between the interior and the exterior (“In & Out”).
At Insolit, we understand that light in open spaces requires a perfect balance between technical resistance and refined aesthetics. Below, we will delve into the strategies, technologies, and designer luminaires that are defining the standards of luxury in the outdoors.
The technical and aesthetic duality in outdoor projects
When approaching an outdoor lighting project, the specifier faces a double challenge: the luminaire must withstand inclement weather without losing its aesthetic integrity and, at the same time, it must offer a light quality comparable to that of the most sophisticated interiors.
Resistance and materiality: Machined aluminum
The main enemy of outdoor lighting is corrosion and UV wear. For this reason, at Insolit we bank on machined aluminum and AISI 316 stainless steel. Unlike low-quality castings, machined aluminum offers superior finish precision and durability.
Our collections, treated with front rings and rear caps in matte anodized black, guarantee that the piece remains unalterable over time. This level of finish is crucial in high-end residential projects and hospitality, where the constructive detail is scrutinized.
The degree of protection: IP65 as a standard
To guarantee the longevity of the installation, it is imperative to work with appropriate protection ratings. While an IP44 may be sufficient for semi-covered areas or bathrooms, exposed outdoor lighting requires an IP65. This ensures total tightness against dust and protection against water jets, ideal for gardens with automatic irrigation systems or coastal areas exposed to salt humidity.
Lighting strategies for landscaping
Designing light in a garden or terrace involves hierarchizing the space. It is not about lighting everything equally, which would flatten the environment, but about creating contrasts, shadows, and focal points.
1. Accent lighting and vegetation
Vegetation is a living canvas. To highlight trees, shrubs, or stone wall textures, the use of spike-mounted projectors is the most versatile solution. They allow the light source to be relocated as the plant grows.
The Focus Line Spike model is a perfect example of this versatility. Its machined aluminum body and AISI 316 stainless steel spike ensure stability in the ground. By allowing the use of replaceable GU10 LED bulbs, it offers the designer the freedom to choose the exact color temperature and beam angle for each plant species, in addition to facilitating long-term maintenance.
2. Beaconing: Marking the path with elegance
Beaconing serves a guiding function, but aesthetically it must be subtle and avoid glare for passersby. This is where the design of the luminaire plays a crucial role.
The Banus luminaire redefines the concept of the beacon. It is not just a static point of light; it is a micro-projector for accent and beacon lighting with a vertical rotation of 135º. This allows the light beam to be directed toward the ground to mark a path, or raised slightly to wash a low wall or an adjacent planter.
For situations requiring greater complexity, the Banus Twice incorporates two micro-projectors. The upper one offers a horizontal rotation of 350º, allowing a path to be lit while simultaneously illuminating a vertical element located in another direction. This “dual function” capability clears the landscape of excessive luminaires, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic of the project.
3. The “Nomad” trend: Portable lighting
One of the strongest trends in the design of terraces and contract spaces is flexibility. Users want to be able to move the light according to the occasion: an intimate dinner, reading on a sun lounger, or a social gathering.
Portable battery-powered lamps have revolutionized outdoor lighting. Without cables, light becomes an object of desire.
- Basic: With its machined aluminum body and polycarbonate diffuser, it offers a soft and dimmable (Dim) light. Its essential design fits into any decorative style.
- LC: It provides an extra touch of warmth and romanticism by incorporating a candle holder at the top with a magnetized lid. It combines tactile LED technology with the ancestral warmth of real fire, ideal for exclusive restaurant tables or private terraces.
Comparative table: Selection of luminaires according to application
To facilitate the specification in your projects, we have prepared this table that relates the product typology with its ideal outdoor use:
| Type of Luminaire | Recommended Insolit Product | Ideal Application | Key Feature |
| Portable | Basic / LC | Coffee tables, outdoor dining, chill-out areas. | Freedom of movement, rechargeable battery, dimmable. |
| Spike | Focus Line Spike | Gardens, tree lighting, large pots. | Direct ground installation, relocatable, replaceable GU10. |
| Adjustable Bollard | Banus / Banus Twice | Paths, walkways, perimeter delimitation. | Adjustability 135º/350º, minimalist design. |
| Floor Projector | Focus Line Floor IP 65 | Paved terraces, entrances, areas without soil. | Stable base, architectural design, IP65. |
| Surface Projector | Focus Line IP 65 | Walls, pergolas, facades. | Optional magnetic base, mounting versatility. |
Sustainability and maintenance: The philosophy of the replaceable source
In the luxury lighting sector, sustainability is a fundamental pillar. Many outdoor products integrate the LED in such a way that, if it fails, the entire fixture must be discarded. At Insolit, we challenge this planned obsolescence with our Focus Line collection.
Models like the Focus Line IP 65 or the Focus Line Floor Spike are designed to incorporate replaceable GU10 LED bulbs. This offers multiple advantages to the architect and the end client:
- Long product lifespan: The machined aluminum body lasts for decades; if LED technology advances or the bulb fails, only the light source is replaced, not the lamp.
- Lighting customization: The color temperature (3000K to 2700K) or the beam angle can be changed according to the garden’s evolving needs without uninstalling the fixtures.
- Ease of maintenance: The user can perform the replacement without the need for complex tools or specialized technical assistance.
The importance of color temperature in the outdoors
Choosing the correct color temperature is vital for the nighttime atmosphere. In residential and hotel outdoor lighting, we recommend avoiding cold temperatures (4000K or more), which can be harsh and “flatten” the colors of nature.
- 3000K (Warm White): It is the standard for modern outdoors. It enhances the greens of the vegetation and offers clear and crisp visibility of the architecture.
- 2700K (Very Warm White): Ideal for living areas, pergolas and terraces where an intimate and relaxed atmosphere is sought. It also works very well with materials such as wood or natural stone, accentuating their warm tones.
Our products, by allowing GU10 bulbs or integrating high-quality LEDs (CRI>90), ensure faithful color rendering, making the landscaping project look vibrant even in the middle of the night.
Structures and heights: Breaking the flatness
A common mistake is placing all the lighting at ground level or in wall sconces. To create depth, it is necessary to play with heights.
The Focus Line Floor IP 65 allows the light point to be raised above the pavement. Available in single or double versions, this luminaire acts as a functional sculpture. By elevating the light source, we can project downwards to illuminate a table or an object, or upwards to highlight an architectural element without the risk of direct glare to the eyes. Its stainless steel support guarantees stability and resistance against wind or accidental impacts.
Light that defines spaces: Outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting is the final touch that defines the character of an architectural work. It transforms a nighttime black hole into a habitable, safe, and aesthetically impactful setting.
In Insolit, we design and manufacture light tools conceived for the demanding prescriber. From the versatility of the Focus Line family to the portable elegance of Basic and LC, our luminaries are made to withstand the outdoors and celebrate design. We invite architects and distributors to discover how our machined aluminum engineering can elevate the perceived value of their outdoor spaces.
Frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting
What is the best lighting for the outdoors?
The best lighting for the outdoors is that which combines a high protection index (IP65 or higher) with corrosion-resistant materials, such as anodized machined aluminum or stainless steel. Additionally, it must be versatile, allowing for glare control and beam orientation. Luminaires like the Focus Line IP 65 collection by Insolit are ideal because they offer robustness and the possibility of replacing the light source (GU10), ensuring durability and sustainability.
What type of light is used for the outdoors?
For outdoors, three main types of light are used:
- Accent light: Projectors (such as Focus Line Spike) to highlight trees, sculptures, or facades.
- Beacon lighting: Low luminaires (such as Banus) to mark paths and stairs without glare.
- Ambient or general light: Provided by wall sconces, floor lamps, or portable lamps (Basic or LC) for meeting areas and tables.
What light color is best for the outdoors?
For high-end residential and hospitality projects, warm color temperatures are recommended.
- 3000K: It is the most versatile option; it offers a warm white light that enhances the greens of the vegetation and defines the architecture well.
2700K: Provides a more intimate, cozy, and relaxing atmosphere, ideal for rest areas, chill-outs, and terraces with wood or stone finishes.
Cold lights (4000K-6000K) should be avoided as they create an artificial atmosphere and can increase light pollution.
