The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
Issue link: https://inspired.uberflip.com/i/1542792
199 Mountain/Desert Region Mountain/Desert Region I came to outdoor lighting as an outdoorsman first. After years in corporate America, I realized the only place I consistently felt like myself was outside — on a trail, near water, or under a sky full of stars. Stepping into lighting design gave me the freedom to work in the environments I love, but it also revealed something deeper: the way light can completely transform how people experience their homes and landscapes. Designing in the Mountain and Desert region demands a different mindset. Our landscapes aren't subtle — they're defined by dense pines and evergreens instead of the large, mature hardwoods found in the East or Midwest. In the high desert, those forests give way to open vistas, rugged land, and dramatic shifts in light and shadow that require a completely different design approach. Waterscapes and waterfalls are common features, often integrated directly into the terrain. And the architecture here leans heavily into mountain-cabin styles, native stone, and structures built to feel rooted in their surroundings. For lighting designers in this region — myself and many of my peers — the work starts with understanding those elements. Light needs to enhance natural materials, not compete with them. It needs to work with uneven terrain, dramatic elevation changes, and the darker, broader night skies we're known for. Whether I'm designing for a home in Denver or talking shop with other designers working in the mountains or high plains, we share the same goal: use light intentionally. Make a property usable and safe after dark. Highlight the features clients love most. And ultimately, create spaces where people want to step outside, breathe deeper, and enjoy the places they've chosen to call home. Nick Wojdak Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of Denver Denver, CO see page 200