Old Westbury Gardens, located on the Gold Coast of Long Island, collaborated with Lightswitch to create a combination light and projection show across their expansive property. Originally conceived in order to attract visitors during the colder months of the year, Shimmering Solstice became a light show with a life all its own, exemplifying the harmonious juxtaposition between lighting and nature.
Old Westbury Gardens, located on the Gold Coast of Long Island, collaborated with Lightswitch to create a combination light and projection show across their expansive property. Originally conceived in order to attract visitors during the colder months of the year, Shimmering Solstice became a light show with a life all its own, exemplifying the harmonious juxtaposition between lighting and nature.
This project required us to immerse ourselves in the history of Old Westbury Gardens. The Lightswitch team not only learned about the property itself, but also about the varied flora that grows there. We ensured that our design respected the Gardens, always remaining conscious of the safety and preservation of the plant life. Our goal was to help visitors discover the Gardens at night on the cusp of the winter solstice, during a time of year when the area is often thought to be quite bare. We brought the dormant areas to life with our original designs, guiding guests across the property without any particular path, encouraging them to explore the space for themselves.
Our design included a variety of distinct areas, such as the Rose Garden, which featured thousands of LED “roses” planted among the actual rose beds; the Ghost Walk, which brought visitors through a narrow path of pine trees hung with crystal chandeliers; and the open lawn of the South Allée, which included ground-level lights that cast giant shadows across the grass. We even provided an engagement spot, where couples could plan for their big moment to take place inside a ring of over 100 digitally-controlled flickering candles. The experience culminated in a massive custom-designed and fully-orchestrated show projected onto the steps of the historic Westbury House itself. Through conversation with the Gardens’ Director of Horticulture, Lightswitch was able to create a finale show that featured flowers native to the property
By fully engaging with the history and environment of Old Westbury Gardens, Lightswitch was able to design a one-of-a-kind light and projection show that allowed visitors to gain an entirely new perspective on the property. We embraced the existing beauty of the landscape and allowed our design to grow from it, rather than forcing unfamiliar elements into the space. The colored lights brought the wintery flower beds to life, illuminating the Gardens in the absence of the summer sun. Guests were guided gently through this immersive experience and were allowed to make their own path towards the final projection showcase on the steps of Westbury House. This was ultimately a collaborative effort, requiring input not only from Lightswitch, but also from the clients and employees of Old Westbury Gardens, who have dedicated so much of their time and energy to caring for and understanding this historic property.
Photography by Ann Parry Photography by Brianna McEnroe | Discover Long Island
