Architectural Standards

By Mary Sapp

Lights: The post light for one of our owners broke shortly before Christmas, but unfortunately the post light specified in our standard (Forecast by Lightolier) is no longer available. An application is currently being reviewed by RA’s Design Review Board to add the Kichler Camden as an alternative (as well as the almost identical Latitude Run Millbourne). See the proposed new standard below, which also reflects the decision made by the DRB in late fall that allows security lights on the front of homes (the only time they have allowed security lights in that location). 

Last month Reston approved updates to two of Lakeport’s Architectural Standards that expand colors and products, resulting in many more options available to owners that do not require the submission of applications to Reston Association’s Design Review Board (DRB). 

  • Windows: In December the DRB approved an updated Window Standard that adds three more brands/materials and quadruples the number of pre-approved colors for window-palette combinations not requiring a DRB application. See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AOti43w7zbs9nqHP8kLMoorrICDZPpCr/view.  
  • Decks: In December the DRB also approved an updated Deck Standard that increases by 75% the number of pre-approved colors that can be used to obtain very close matches for composites (any brand), paints, and stains without needing to file a DRB application. As before, no application is needed if the deck is just being repaired. See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZtuXkrUHLeS5KuwXnykloCqApevRDsFs/view 


Lakeport Cluster Association Standards

Exterior Lighting (Decorative and Security)

Reston Association’s Design Review Board approved the following revision to Lakeport Cluster standards on February ?, 2022.

Requirements for Decorative Lights 

    1. Wall lights shall be cylindrical (4.5”-5” diameter by 7”-7.25” tall), aluminum 120v light fixtures with a square mounting plate and be either bronze-colored, black, or gray. They shall be attached 7’ to 8’ above foot-level to outside wall/siding at the front and back entrances and/or beside garage doors. Applies to all units. Approved new lights: Kichler 9234BK (black) or 9234AZ (architectural bronze) or Progress P5674-31 (black), P5674-82 (gray), or P5674-20 (antique bronze). Existing fixtures that match this description but with a 4.75” diameter round mounting plate are also considered compliant if they are operating and in satisfactory condition.

    2. Non-recessed ceiling lights shall be the same cylindrical design as the wall lights except for being attached to the ceiling over the front door (either flush or with a mounting plate) instead of to a mounting plate on the wall and shall be 4.5”-5” diameter by 6.5”-7.25” tall, aluminum 120v light fixtures. Approved new lights: Progress P5774-31(black), P5774-82 (gray), and P5774-20 (antique bronze). Applies to all units listed in the history section below. 

    3. Recessed ceiling lights (over entry-door and under balcony/deck overhangs) shall be 5”-6” in diameter, flush lens, white trim. Applies to all units listed in the history section below. Approved lights are available from a variety of manufacturers. 

    4. Post light shall be 16”–17” high (including sleeve) and 8” – 9½” wide, deep bronze or anvil iron finish and etched white opal glass, with a 2¾” sleeve at the bottom of the fixture that fits over a black 3” diameter post. It shall have a photoelectric cell in the post or be controlled by a light switch and shall use a warm white (2700 - 3000 Kelvin) lamp. For all Phase 2 end units with house numbers attached to a brick wall, this post light shall be mounted on a 3” diameter, 11” tall post attached to the low brick wall near the house number so that the total height is approximately 26”–27”. With the exception of 1925 Lakeport Way, other Phase 2 end units that do not have numbers on brick walls (1907, 1915, 1917, 1923 and 1983 Lakeport Way) shall have the pole light mounted on a 48”–54” high free-standing post next to the front entrance. Approved lights: Forecast by Lightolier # F8494-68 and Camden by Kichler post lamp (or alternatively the very similar but ½” shorter Millbourne Iron 1 by Latitude Run). 




All existing exterior lights must be replaced with an approved light listed in this standard. If an approved light is discontinued or unavailable, the standard will need to be updated to identify a new option.

Requirements for Security Lights 

Security lighting should be selected and located to illuminate the owner’s property while minimizing glare onto neighboring properties, streets, or pedestrian walkways. The design, location, direction, and type of light bulb should reflect this goal. 

  • Fixture: Security lighting can be achieved least obtrusively by connecting a motion detector to an existing decorative exterior light (as described above). Alternatively, it may be a typical residential floodlight (but not a commercial wall pack or “box light,” spotlight, or sodium vapor light). A security light fixture should not be installed as a replacement for one of the decorative exterior lights described above. The color should be a close match to the trim or siding at the mounting location.
  • Shielding: The bulb must be “shielded” by the fixture (i.e., covered on the top and sides to ensure light goes down rather than up or horizontally) and/or by the deck/balcony under which it is attached. In addition, it must be directed down so that the beam does not reach adjacent property (either a neighbor’s or common property) and to minimize the impact of any glare on neighboring properties. If the property is uphill from other homes or the fixture is on the front of a home, especially if there is a sidewalk, it is even more important that the light be aimed so the area being directly lit is limited to inside the owner’s property line. 
  • Light bulb: The bulb must be LED, must not exceed 1000 lumens, and must not exceed 3000 Kelvin (i.e., warm or soft white rather than cool or bright white). LED bulbs that are rated as suitable for wet locations and enclosed fixtures are recommended to maximize the lifespan of the light bulb. 
  • Location:  Security lights located on the front elevation must be installed no higher than the first story plane level of the house inconspicuously under the balcony eave or garage eave dependent upon the home design. Security lights on the side or rear elevation must be installed inconspicuously under eaves or balcony or mounted through the wall. 
  • Power: Lights should be solar-powered, battery-operated, or “hard wired” so that no wiring or conduit is visible.
  • Number: A maximum of one single-headed or one double-headed security light can be installed on any one elevation (front, rear, or side).
  • No new ground-mounted or tree-mounted security floodlights are allowed.
  • Motion sensor: A motion sensor is required so that lights do not burn constantly.

All existing security lights must be brought into conformance with these standards when replaced.

RA Design Review Approval: No approval is required if these standards are followed exactly. Additional security or landscape lighting is restricted and may require Reston DRB approval.


THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NOT PART OF THE STANDARD

IT IS PROVIDED TO ASSIST THE HOMEOWNER

History of Change to Standard / Current Situation: Original construction provided each house with standard decorative lighting (multiple standards applied to most units). The lighting standard was first documented and approved on April 18, 2005. The first revision was approved May 29, 2007. A second revision was approved September 7, 2021, when standards for security lights were added.

Wall light: Phase 1 homes originally had a white 5” x 5” square x 9” tall metal fixture mounted over the main entrance and white, 4.5” x 4.5” square x 9.5” tall plastic wall-mounted fixtures at other front and rear deck locations. All Phase 2 construction had cylindrical lights with specifications described above, except with round mounting plates instead of square plates. The standard approved in 2005 specified that all wall fixtures should be cylindrical lights with specifications described in the current standard, except with round rather than square mounting plates, and owners of Phase 1 homes were given until December 31, 2008, to replace their original wall fixtures with wall-light design used at that time for Phase 2 homes. The 2007 revision to the light standard specified that wall lights be as described above except it allowed only square mounting brackets and only the bronze color. 

Non-recessed cylindrical ceiling light: Cylindrical lights identical to wall lights were mounted to the overhang above the front entrances at 1909-1913, 1919, 1921, 1927, 1929, 1935, 1937, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, and 2001 Lakeport Way and 11100-11110 and 11114-11120 Lakespray Way. The 2007 revision to the light standard kept the description of the non-recessed ceiling light the same but required that it be attached flush to the ceiling instead of via a mounting plate that had been used originally. 

Recessed ceiling lights: One or more recessed lights matching the description in the current standard were used in entry-door ceilings and/or deck overhangs at 1915, 1917, 1923-1926, 1928, 1930-1932, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1985, 1993, and 1995 Lakeport Way and 11112 and 11121-11129 Lakespray Way. No changes have been made to the requirements for this type of light.

No ceiling lights: Only wall-mounted cylindrical lights (no lights in ceiling or overhangs) at 1907, 1933, 1939, 1944-1950, 1952, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1975-1983, and 2003 Lakeport Way and 11122 Lakespray Way. 

Post lights: The original pole light was an American Lantern #4881 clear globe with a rounded-square profile (total fixture: 11.5” tall and 8” diameter) on a 3” diameter 12” tall pole. It is no longer manufactured. The standard approved in 2005 specified that all pole lights should be replaced with the pole lights described in the current standard and gave owners of homes with pole lights until December 31, 2008, to replace their original pole lights with the new ones. These lights were used at all end units of Phase 2 homes except 1925 Lakeport Way. The posts for these lights were attached to a low brick wall with the house number at 1924, 1930, 1931,1932, 1933, 1939, 1942, 1954, 1963, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1985, 1993, 1995, and 2003 Lakeport Way, and at 11100, 11110, 11112, 11121, 11122 and 11129 Lakespray Way. Pole lights were mounted on free-standing posts in front of 1907, 1915, 1917, 1923 and 1983 Lakeport Way. In February 2022, because the Forecast by Lightolier became unavailable, the Kichler Camden and the almost identical Latitude Run Millbourne were added as approved alternatives. 

Possible Suppliers

Note: This list should be considered a starting point for homeowners replacing outside lighting. No endorsement of any supplier is intended.

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