Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company Pierce Lighting Studio
Lead Designers Eileen Pierce
Other Designer's names Yu-Ting Liu
Client Private Residence
Photo Credits Anthony Crisafulli
Completion Date 2023
Project Location Private Estate, Long Island, New York
Entry DescriptionA custom-designed illuminated torqued arch was designed specifically for a private garden, framing the outdoor dining experience while embracing the landscape and preserving views. The structure features a marine grade 2" stainless steel tube with precision perforations, engineered to achieve a slender, graceful 30-foot span with minimal visual impact. A continuous channel of low-voltage LED modules is seamlessly integrated along the inner curve, providing warm, diffuse illumination calibrated for visual comfort and minimal glare.
Tailored for the residential setting, the arch’s fine brushed stainless-steel finish offers both a refined aesthetic and durability against coastal environmental conditions. Internal wiring and a below grade anchoring system allowing appearance of weightless while ensuring structural stability. The lighting strategy was carefully developed to balance ambient illumination with the night sky, softly highlighting the dining area without overpowering the landscape's natural darkness.
Prototypes and site mockups informed final tuning of the brightness, color temperature, and perforated locations. Designed to act as both structure and light source, the arch transforms the garden into an intimate and immersive nighttime experience. By day, the arch blends in and reflects the sky achieving a subtle and celebratory presence with minimal intervention.
Sustainability ApproachSustainability was a core consideration throughout the design and execution of the illuminated arch. The structure is fabricated from marine-grade stainless steel for maximum durability, marine grade corrosion resistance, and lifecycle longevity. Integrated low-voltage LED modules operate at high efficacy, minimizing power consumption while delivering targeted illumination to avoid unnecessary light pollution. The optical system was precisely calibrated and aimed down to maintain dark sky compliance and reduce uplight. Fabrication and assembly were completed regionally to limit transportation emissions, and the anchoring system minimized soil disruption by requiring only small, concealed foundation points. The design prioritizes material permanence, energy efficiency, and reduce ecological impact.
