Exterior

Surrounded in LIGHT 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Surrounded in LIGHT

Faces of a Successful Lighting Family Legacy

Merlin Johnson died in May of 2022, and the inspirational impact on his sons’ lives has been profound. He was a Master Mason, AF veteran, master machinist, mechanical/electrical genius, talented lighting designer and founder of Artistic Lighting & Electric. He loved his wife Peggy Jean and encouraged his sons in the art of illumination.

Duane Johnson took over Artistic to become one of the Bay Area’s most experienced and trusted electrical contractors, offering lighting design, lighting control and innovative electrical contracting capabilities.

Glenn Johnson, CEO of Adaptive Design Group, in Utah, provides lighting design for the finest residences and art collections worldwide, wrote The Art of Illumination, and manufactures The Merlin Light, a museum-quality Art Lighting System.

Eric Johnson, principal of EJA Lighting Design, is a nationally award-winning lighting designer, collaborates with world-renown architects and designers, manages projects in the Bay Area, across the U.S and abroad, and has advised many lighting manufacturers and lighting technology companies.

The brothers will forever honor their dad, Merlin Johnson.

Only two kinds of LIGHT 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Only two kinds of LIGHT
There are only two kinds of LIGHT, the GLOW that illuminates and GLARE that obscures. Which do you Prefer? Choose ADAPTIVE DESIGN GROUP to Add the Artistry of Light to your projects.
#lighting #lightingdesigner #luxury #luxurylife #luxuryhomes #luxuryinteriors #architecturelovers #lightingcontrols 
#ledlighting #lightingengineer #sophisticated #interiordesigns @adaptivedg @glenn.johnson.14606
ROCKING BRITISH COLUMBIA
ROCKING BRITISH COLUMBIA 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

ROCKING BRITISH COLUMBIA

Rocking British Columbia

The Art of Illumination with Glenn Merlin Johnson

Adaptive Design Group’s Glenn Merlin Johnson brought his signature expertise in architectural lighting design to British Columbia as a featured speaker at a prestigious Lutron event. Showcasing “The Art of Illumination,” Glenn captivated an audience of industry professionals with insights on blending artistry and technology to create dynamic, luxurious lighting environments.

With decades of experience pioneering advanced lighting solutions, Glenn shared the Adaptive Method®, emphasizing the importance of collaborative design and precision in lighting controls. His presentation highlighted how thoughtfully layered lighting can transform spaces, enhancing both function and emotion.

This event in British Columbia reinforced Adaptive Design Group’s position as a leader in luxury residential lighting design, bringing innovative ideas and refined techniques to new regions.

Ready to illuminate your next project with expert lighting design? Contact Adaptive Design Group to get started.

#luxurylifestyle #luxuryliving #luxuryhomes #lightingdesign #lightingcontrols

@adaptivedg @lutronelectronics @glenn.johnson.14606

FINE ART PROJECTOR LIGHTS 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

FINE ART PROJECTOR LIGHTS

MERLIN LIGHT FINE ART PROJECTOR LIGHTS. Installation progress on Dustin Yellen’s lamanated glass art. Museum quality, high performance, no comparison in our book. See the magic. Merlinlight.com

 

#fineart #artcollections #artdisplay @glenn.johnson.14606 @merlin_light #artlighting #luxurylifestyle

New Principal Lighting Designer 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

New Principal Lighting Designer

New Principal Lighting Designer

Adaptive Design Group is proud to welcome Jared Britton as our new Principal Lighting Designer, marking an exciting step forward in our continued commitment to artistry, precision, and innovation in luxury architectural lighting design.

From a young age, Jared has been captivated by architecture and, more specifically, the way light interacts with structure, materials, and environment. This early fascination led him to earn his degree in Illumination Engineering from the University of Colorado, where he refined both the technical and artistic foundations that now define his work. His career quickly found its natural home in luxury residential lighting design, where the balance between creativity and discipline is essential.

Since launching his professional journey, Jared has illuminated a wide range of breathtaking custom homes, blending advanced lighting technologies with deeply intuitive design sensibilities. His approach aligns seamlessly with Adaptive Design Group’s philosophy — lighting is not applied, it is engineered, sculpted, and integrated. Every project is an opportunity to enhance architecture, elevate interiors, and create emotive experiences through carefully layered light.

Jared is also an award-winning professional, recognized for both technical excellence and creative leadership. What truly distinguishes him, however, is his collaborative mindset. He thrives within multidisciplinary teams, working closely with architects, interior designers, engineers, and builders to ensure each lighting plan is not only visually compelling, but technically flawless and build-ready.

Passion with action creates an unstoppable combination. 

As Adaptive Design Group continues to grow, Jared’s addition strengthens our ability to deliver world-class lighting design rooted in precision, partnership, and passion for the craft.

We look forward to the extraordinary projects ahead. If you’re planning a luxury home and believe lighting should be treated as both art and engineering, we invite you to connect with us and explore how our team can bring your vision to life.

#AdaptiveDesignGroup

 

LAYERS Of LIGHTING
LAYERS Of LIGHTING 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

LAYERS Of LIGHTING

Layers of Lighting

Adaptive Design Group’s signature approach—Layers of Lighting—is where artistry meets precision to create breathtaking environments that engage and inspire. When you step into a beautifully designed space, like this stunning pool and hot tub area, lighting is never just one-dimensional. Instead, it’s a carefully crafted blend of multiple layers, each serving a unique purpose while harmonizing to create an immersive experience. So, how many layers of light can you count here?

In architectural lighting design, we recognize eight essential layers that work together to elevate every space:

  • Architecture: Lighting that highlights the structure’s form and unique design elements.

  • Decorative: Fixtures that double as art, adding personality and style.

  • Art: Specialized lighting to showcase paintings, sculptures, or other focal points.

  • Path: Guiding the way safely with subtle illumination along walkways or stairs.

  • Task: Focused lighting for functional activities like reading, cooking, or poolside relaxation.

  • Interior Design: Lighting that complements furniture, fabrics, and finishes.

  • View: Managing natural or scenic views through lighting control and balance.

  • Exterior: Lighting that enhances outdoor features and landscaping.

This poolside setting is a perfect example of how Adaptive Design Group integrates these layers seamlessly. From soft exterior lighting that enhances the natural surroundings, to the carefully placed task lights around seating areas, to the decorative fixtures that add style and mood—every detail is intentional. The result is a captivating space where light feels natural, inviting, and luxurious.

Our collaboration with architects, interior designers, and clients ensures that each layer of light fulfills its role, working in concert rather than competition. From concept to completion, this artistic layering defines the experience, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary.

Ready to explore how Adaptive Design Group can bring your luxury space to life with our expert layering techniques?

Contact us today to start your residential lighting design project and discover the power in layers of lighting.

#luxurylifestyle #luxuryliving #luxuryhomes #lightingconsultant #lightingdesign #theartofillumination
#spa #customhomes @upwalldesign @adaptivedg @glenn.johnson.14606 #lightingcontrol #interiordesign

Lighting by design
Lighting by design, not by accident 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Lighting by design, not by accident

Lighting by Design, Not by Accident
Lighting isn’t just a technical detail—it’s an artform that shapes how a space is experienced. At Adaptive Design Group, we don’t leave illumination to chance. We approach lighting with purpose, crafting systems that elevate architectural details, enhance ambiance, and seamlessly integrate with the way you live.

From the initial concept to the final circuit, our team works closely with architects, designers, and homeowners to deliver lighting design that feels intentional, not incidental. Whether it’s a warm glow that welcomes you into a great room or precision task lighting that brings a kitchen to life, each element is thoughtfully placed and expertly tuned.

Luxury homes deserve lighting systems that are as sophisticated and adaptable as the spaces they serve. With our proprietary Adaptive Method®, we combine aesthetics, technology, and user-friendly control to create harmony between architecture and atmosphere.

If you’re building or remodeling a luxury residence, don’t settle for lighting that feels like an afterthought. Discover the difference of working with a team that designs with vision—and executes with excellence.

Ready to transform your space? Contact us to get started on your luxury home lighting design project today.

#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #lightingdesign @adaptivedg #lightingconsultant
#homedecor #homeautomation #residentialdesign #estate #luxuryliving

Architecture Light and Nature
Architecture Light and Nature 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Architecture Light and Nature

Architecture, Light and Nature

Crafting the Perfect Human Experience

At the intersection of architecture, light, and nature lies the essence of exceptional living spaces. Thoughtful architectural lighting design embraces this harmony, enhancing the natural beauty of surroundings while elevating interior forms. By seamlessly blending natural light with artificial illumination, spaces become immersive experiences—welcoming, warm, and inspiring.

Adaptive Design Group specializes in creating lighting plans that honor both structure and environment. Whether highlighting organic textures or framing sweeping views, our designs encourage a connection to nature while providing the perfect ambiance indoors and out.

Experience lighting that respects your architecture and complements the world around it—crafting not just a house, but a sanctuary.

Contact us to begin your journey toward the perfect balance in your home.

#lightingdesign #luxuryhomes #luxurylifestyle #customhomes #parkcityutah #fineinteriors #mountainliving

38 years in Luxury Lighting Design
38 years in Luxury Lighting Design 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

38 years in Luxury Lighting Design

38 Years in Luxury Lighting Design

For nearly four decades, Adaptive Design Group has stood at the intersection of artistry, engineering, and architecture — redefining what luxury lighting design truly means. In a world where lighting is often treated as an afterthought, our philosophy has always been clear: light is not decoration, it is structure, emotion, and experience.

Today, as lighting design becomes more prevalent among integrators and builders, it’s easy to mistake quantity for quality. Anyone can saturate a ceiling with hundreds of recessed fixtures and call it “bright.” But brightness is not beauty — and illumination without intention does a disservice to both the home and the homeowner. True lighting design requires coordination, restraint, and a deeply methodical process that respects architecture, materials, and human experience.

That belief is what led our founder, Glenn Merlin Johnson, to develop the ADAPTIVE Method® — a trademarked process built around eight distinct layers of light:

Architecture · Decorative · Art · Path · Task · Interior · View · Exterior

These layers form a disciplined framework that allows lighting to enhance a home without ever overpowering it. When applied correctly, the lighting feels natural, effortless — almost invisible. The best compliment we receive? When homeowners don’t “notice” the lighting, but feel the way their home lives, breathes, and glows.

Glenn’s work has shaped the industry for over 38 years, including authorship of “The Art of Illumination,” a foundational text used in more than 25 colleges and universities. His approach isn’t about trends, products, or shortcuts — it’s about mastering the art and science of light and being relentlessly engaged with the latest technologies to serve the architecture, not fight it.

In luxury residential design, success is never accidental. The most refined homes are built by a fully formed Technical Team — architect, interior designer, lighting designer, and integrator — working in true collaboration. When one of those disciplines is missing, it shows. Poor lighting can flatten even the most extraordinary architecture, turning a refined home into something that feels over-lit, chaotic, and visually exhausting.

38 Years in Luxury Lighting Design is no accident. Purposeful, Precision and delivering projects that exceed expectations.

At Adaptive Design Group, we don’t sell fixtures or chase products. We focus purely on design, engineering, and documentation — ensuring that every lighting plan is buildable, intentional, and worthy of the home it serves.

If you’d like a deeper look into our process, philosophy, and how the ADAPTIVE Method® continues to influence luxury lighting nationwide, we invite you to register for the CEPro Webcast Series and discover what’s possible when lighting is treated as an art form. Reach out today to explore how we can elevate your next project through light.

#AdaptiveDesignGroup

Critical Art Lighting
Critical Art Lighting 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Critical Art Lighting

Critical Art Lighting

Where the Buffalo’s roam, light becomes more than illumination — it becomes a curator of experience. In this striking installation, vibrant, modern buffalo artwork is elevated through the precision of Merlin Light® Optical Framing Projectors, transforming bold color and texture into a visual statement that commands attention without overwhelming the space.

Art of this nature demands more than generic lighting. It requires control, accuracy, and respect for both the artist’s intent and the architectural environment that surrounds it. This is where critical art lighting becomes essential. The Merlin Light® system allows light to be sculpted, shaped, and directed with surgical precision, creating crisp edges and controlled spill that frame the artwork exactly as intended — no glare, no distortion, and no compromise.

The richness of the buffalo imagery — saturated color palettes, layered movement, and expressive detail — comes alive under this level of professional illumination. Each hue is rendered true, each shadow intentionally preserved, and each surface texture carefully revealed. The light does not compete with the piece, it quietly supports it, allowing the artwork to speak with clarity and confidence.

In spaces where modern art plays a central role, lighting must act as both protector and enhancer. Too much brightness can flatten the emotional power of the piece. Too little can hide its complexity. With optical framing technology, we create a balance that feels natural while remaining technically exacting. This is not decorative lighting — this is museum-level precision brought into a residential or private environment.

At Adaptive Design Group, we approach art lighting with the same philosophy we apply to architecture: light should feel effortless, even when it is highly engineered. Our collaboration with homeowners, curators, and interior designers ensures that each installation honors the story behind the art while integrating seamlessly into the overall design of the home.

When your collection deserves more than standard illumination, we invite you to connect with our team and discover how critical art lighting can transform the way your artwork is experienced every single day.

#AdaptiveDesignGroup