Interior

adaptive-design-group-blog-lighting-design-for-40-years
Lighting design for 40 years 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Lighting design for 40 years

Lighting Design for 40 Years

Vision, Artistry, and Technology in Perfect Harmony

Without light, color does not exist. And in the world of architecture, light is the element that brings design to life. For 40 years, Adaptive Design Group has been applying our craft to remarkable residential, commercial, and cultural spaces, turning vision into reality through architectural lighting design. Every project is an opportunity to combine technical precision with artistic sensibility, creating environments that are as functional as they are visually stunning.

Our approach is grounded in both theory and practice. We understand how light interacts with surfaces, textures, and materials—how shadows and highlights shape perception, and how layers of light can define spaces. From architectural lighting that emphasizes structure, to decorative lighting that complements interiors, and integrated control systems that allow seamless automation, each element is carefully orchestrated. The goal is always to enhance the human experience, guiding the eye, evoking emotion, and creating ambiance that feels natural yet extraordinary.

Over four decades, our experience has taught us that great lighting is never accidental. It is a blend of careful planning, precise execution, and collaborative design. Working alongside architects, interior designers, and homeowners, we ensure that every space achieves its fullest potential, whether it’s a modern mountain retreat, a classical coastal estate, or a contemporary urban residence.

Adaptive Design Group’s longevity in the industry is a testament to our commitment to quality, innovation, and artistry. We transform architecture with light, making each space not just seen, but truly felt.

Discover the power of expert architectural lighting design—contact Adaptive Design Group to illuminate your vision.

Painting framed with Merlin Light
Painting framed with Merlin Light 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Painting framed with Merlin Light

Painting Framed with Merlin Light

Highlighting Art with Precision and Elegance

In this Aspen, Colorado residence, Merlin Light framing projector transforms a painting above the fireplace into a luminous focal point. Architectural lighting design is about more than illumination—it’s about creating a moment where the art commands attention, and the surrounding space complements without competing.

The Painting framed with Merlin Light allows precise control over beam shape and intensity, ensuring every brushstroke, texture, and color gradient is rendered with stunning accuracy. Unlike standard accent lighting, these projectors are carefully calibrated to balance warmth and clarity, drawing the eye naturally to the artwork while respecting the room’s existing light sources.

This installation demonstrates the power of thoughtful lighting in a dining room setting. The painting becomes a centerpiece, harmoniously framed by the mantle and the architectural elements around it. Decorative lighting, task lighting, and ambient layers work in concert, creating a space that is both functional and immersive. Even in a room filled with furniture, natural light, and architectural details, the artwork maintains prominence.

The flexibility of Merlin Light makes it ideal for collectors, interior designers, and homeowners who value precision and artistry. Its seamless integration ensures that the technology disappears from view, leaving only the experience of art at its finest.

For those who want every piece of art in their home to shine as it was intended, Adaptive Design Group brings decades of expertise, patented technology, and a keen artistic eye to every installation.

Contact us to explore how Merlin Light can elevate your residential art collection and create unforgettable visual moments in your home.

adaptive-design-group-blog-Its-a-team-effort
Its a team effort! 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Its a team effort!

It’s a Team Effort!

Collaborative Lighting for Exceptional Architecture

At Adaptive Design Group, every successful project is the result of true collaboration. From architects and interior designers to builders and homeowners, our team brings decades of expertise in architectural lighting design, dimming artistry, and technical specifications to every project. Each layer of light is carefully planned—ambient, task, decorative, and architectural—so that every corner, surface, and element of your space is elevated and illuminated with precision.

Lighting isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating mood, enhancing materials, and accentuating design details. Whether it’s the subtle glow of a recessed fixture, the dramatic framing of a piece of artwork, or the ambient layering across a lounge or outdoor space, every choice is intentional. Our focus on technical execution ensures that the artistic vision is seamlessly translated into reality, without compromising functionality or comfort.

This approach allows the architecture and interiors to shine while maintaining a cohesive, refined environment. With 38 years of experience, Adaptive Design Group has mastered the balance of artistry and technology, ensuring each project feels effortless yet meticulously crafted.

Reach out to learn how we can contribute our expertise to your next project—because great lighting, like great design, is always a team effort.

adaptive-design-group-blog-Light-framing-projectors
Light Framing Projectors – Sculpted Art 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Light Framing Projectors – Sculpted Art

Light Framing Projectors – Sculpted Art

Merlin Light Framing Projectors

Lighting can transform art, revealing texture, depth, and vibrancy that might otherwise go unnoticed. This sculpted or carved piece comes to life under the precision of Merlin Light framing projectors, expertly highlighting every angle, contour, and surface detail. By carefully controlling beam placement, intensity, and focus, these projectors bring out the true dimensionality of the artwork, allowing viewers to fully experience its tactile and visual richness.

Adaptive Design Group leverages these tools as part of a comprehensive approach to fine art illumination. Every selection of light—its placement, angle, and intensity—is deliberate, designed to enhance without overwhelming. The result is an immersive display where texture, shadow, and color harmonize perfectly, creating an emotional connection between viewer and art.

Whether your collection includes sculptural works, textured canvases, or intricate carvings, precision lighting ensures each piece receives the attention it deserves. Merlin Lights are more than fixtures—they are instruments that elevate the art itself.

The interplay of light and shadow is crucial when highlighting textured or three-dimensional art. Merlin Light framing projectors allow for subtle adjustments that can dramatically change how a piece is perceived. From soft washes that emphasize depth to sharp directional highlights that accentuate intricate details, every aspect of the lighting can be tailored to the specific characteristics of the artwork. This level of control ensures the piece is presented exactly as the artist intended, while also complementing the surrounding environment and overall design of the space.

Contact Adaptive Design Group to discover how proper light framing can enhance your art collection, revealing every nuance and making each piece shine in its full glory.

@adaptivedg.com. @glenn.johnson.14606

Buddha framed in light
Buddha framed in light 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Buddha framed in light

Buddha Framed in Light

A Moment of Peace Illuminated

In one of our signature projects, a serene Buddha figure is framed beautifully in light, set against a backlit onyx wall that casts a warm, calming glow. This thoughtful lighting design creates a peaceful focal point—an invitation to pause, breathe, and find tranquility amid daily life.

At Adaptive Design Group, we use our custom Merlin Light®—a high-output recessed projector—to sculpt and highlight art with precision and subtlety. It’s not just about illumination; it’s about crafting moments of calm and reflection through light.

Let your home become a sanctuary where every detail, including lighting, encourages mindfulness and peace.

Reach out to discover how our architectural lighting design can transform your space into a haven of calm and beauty.

@merlin_light #theartofillumination #justbreathe #buddahstatues #artcurator

Wine Country Contemporary homes in California
Contemporary homes in California Wine Country 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Contemporary homes in California Wine Country

Wine Country Contemporary homes in California

Wine Country Contemporary homes in California represent a rare balance of refined architecture and effortless living — where landscape, structure, and light exist in quiet harmony. At Adaptive Design Group, we were honored to be invited into this vision, collaborating with BAR Architects to bring our artistry of lighting design into these exceptional residences.

In these contemporary wine country estates, the architecture speaks through clean lines, natural materials, and a deep connection to the surrounding vineyards and terrain. Lighting, in this context, cannot overpower the space — it must serve it. Every detail must feel intentional and understated, enhancing the experience rather than distracting from it. This is where our work begins.

Glenn Merlin Johnson and the Adaptive Design Group team approach projects like these with a philosophy grounded in subtlety and precision. We observe how sunlight moves across walls, stone, wood, and glass throughout the day. We evaluate how residents will live, gather, entertain, and retreat. Only then do we begin to sculpt light in a way that complements both the architectural vision and the rhythms of life inside the home.

Working alongside BAR Architects, our team developed layered lighting strategies that emphasize architectural form, celebrate texture, and bring warmth to the clean, modern aesthetic. From concealed architectural light sources that wash stone and wood surfaces, to carefully integrated ambient illumination that softens evening transitions, every layer was designed to feel natural, cohesive, and timeless.

These wine country homes are not simply structures — they are sanctuaries. The relationship between interior and exterior living is essential here. Lighting needed to gracefully bridge patios, terraces, and vineyard views with interior spaces, allowing the homes to breathe with the landscape and shift beautifully from day to night.

What makes projects like this truly successful is collaboration. Our role is not to override architecture, but to amplify it. By working in sync with the architects and the full design team, we ensure that lighting feels like it was always meant to be there — invisible in its presence, unforgettable in its effect.

At Adaptive Design Group, we believe that contemporary homes in landscapes as powerful as California’s wine country deserve lighting that matches their quiet sophistication.

If you’re designing a luxury residence and want illumination that honors both structure and setting, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and bring your vision to light.

adaptive-design-group-blog-Maine-architectural-marvel
Maine architectural marvel 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Maine architectural marvel

Classic New England. We added our lighting design and dimming artistry to this Maine architectural marvel. Home owner selected us as part of his design team with John Morris Architect and Ontario Design. Excellent collaboration! @johnmorrisarchitects .. @ontariodesigncompany #theartofillumination #luxuryhomesnewengland #luxuryhomesmaine #customhomes #mainearchitecture

Merlin Light Framing Projector
Merlin Light Framing Projector 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Merlin Light Framing Projector

Abstract art often thrives on motion, energy, and layered meaning—and lighting must rise to the same level of sophistication to do it justice. In this recent installation, a vibrant and chaotic abstract painting—appearing at once floral, fiery, and explosive in its color movement—was given new life under the precision of a Merlin Light framing projector. Bold strokes of red, blue, and yellow weave across the canvas, perhaps hinting at a dandelion caught mid-burst, though the interpretation remains fluid and dynamic. What could have easily been lost in uneven shadows or overwhelmed by ambient light instead stands fully realized, every hue sharpened and balanced by tailored illumination.

The Merlin Light framing projector is built for exactly this kind of work—taking the unpredictable, layered nature of fine art and revealing it at its absolute best. Unlike general gallery lighting, which can flood a space indiscriminately, the projector allows for surgical precision. Light is directed only where it belongs, shaping around the canvas itself without distracting spill or glare. The result is not just visibility, but clarity: a viewer experiences the artwork as the artist intended, rich in color, depth, and dimensionality.

This project highlights how thoughtful lighting transforms the experience of art. The chaotic brushwork and radiant color scheme of the piece draw the eye in, and under the Merlin Light framing projector, those details radiate with energy and intention. In many ways, the projector doesn’t simply illuminate the painting—it frames the story, ensuring every detail, every burst of color, can be fully appreciated.

Contact Us or visit Merlinlight.com

adaptive-design-group-blog-Artists-With-Light
Artists With Light 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Artists With Light

Artists With Light

We Are Artists With Light … Experts In Technology

Lighting is more than illumination—it is the tool through which space, mood, and story are crafted. At Adaptive Design Group, we approach each project as artists with a deep understanding of technology, blending precision, creativity, and functionality to transform homes into experiences. Every home we touch benefits from decades of expertise in architectural lighting design, dimming control, motorized shade integration, and full systems coordination.

Being artists with light means seeing beyond the obvious. We consider every layer: architectural, decorative, art, path, task, interior design, view, and exterior. Each layer has a purpose, and when harmonized, they create environments that feel natural, yet extraordinary. From the glow that frames artwork to the subtle highlights along a textured wall or ceiling, every detail is thoughtfully composed to tell a story and enhance the human experience.

Our artistry is paired with technology. Automated systems, intelligent dimming, and integration of shades, electrical, and access controls ensure that beauty is effortless and adaptive to daily life. The results are spaces that not only look stunning but respond intuitively to lifestyle and function.

At Adaptive Design Group, this philosophy guides us across all projects—from mountain retreats to coastal estates, modern homes to classical mansions. We elevate the ordinary into something exceptional, providing clients with spaces that are visually captivating, emotionally resonant, and technologically seamless.

Experience the artistry of light in your home. Contact Adaptive Design Group to bring expertise, vision, and precision to your space.

#lightingdesign #architecturallighting #designer #design

Expert Level Design Collaboration
Expert Level Design Collaboration 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Expert Level Design Collaboration

Expert Level Design Collaboration

True luxury is born from Expert Level Design Collaboration — when architecture, interiors, and technology align with purpose and precision. This timeless project stands as a powerful example of what happens when elite design professionals unite around a shared vision.

Adaptive Design Group was honored to collaborate alongside Shope Reno Wharton Architects and Vallone Design, bringing a fully integrated approach to Lighting Design, Lighting Control Systems, and Electrical Engineering. Every layer of light was thoughtfully engineered to complement the architectural intent and elevate the interior experience, setting a new benchmark for what a luxury mountain home can be.

In a residence of this caliber, lighting cannot be decorative or reactionary — it must be architectural. It must reveal structure, honor materials, and create mood without drawing attention to itself. Through precise specifications, disciplined coordination, and artistic restraint, our team shaped light to feel natural, effortless, and emotionally grounding throughout the home.

Equally critical to the success of this project was the flawless execution by Don Craig and the team at Craig Construction, whose craftsmanship brought the vision to life with exceptional attention to detail. When the right builders, designers, and engineers are aligned, the final environment feels intentional, refined, and timeless.

Located in Park City, Utah, this home reflects what is possible when a technical design team works in true harmony. Integrated lighting and electrical systems were engineered not simply for performance, but for experience — providing seamless control, quiet sophistication, and enduring reliability behind the walls.

This is what expert-level design collaboration looks like: clarity of vision, respect for each discipline, and a shared commitment to excellence. Adaptive Design Group continues to partner with leading architects, interior designers, and builders nationwide to create lighting environments that are never accidental and never ordinary.

Reach out and see how we can bring your vision to life.