Lighting

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

 

MASTERS OF AMBIENCE
MASTERS OF AMBIENCE 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

MASTERS OF AMBIENCE

MASTERS OF AMBIENCE

Creating Atmosphere Through Expert Exterior Lighting Design

A well-lit exterior is more than visibility—it’s an experience. This stunning outdoor lounge captures the essence of what refined lighting design can accomplish when every element is carefully considered. From the glow beneath shaded umbrellas to the thoughtfully placed decorative lighting, each choice works in harmony to shape an environment that feels both elevated and inviting.

We are masters of ambience. Palm trees sway gently, bathed in soft uplighting that brings texture and rhythm to the scene. Along the walkways, precision path lighting guides guests with understated elegance. Clustered lanterns and candle-style fixtures give the area a warm, curated intimacy, as if the space was built for long, meaningful conversations under the stars. Even the floral wall—a living artwork in its own right—is framed in intentional light, turning nature into a featured installation worthy of admiration.

This is the mark of seasoned design: every fixture and beam working together in layers to create ambiance, safety, and style. There are no accidents here—only deliberate strokes of light, placed like a painter would apply color. The result? An environment that feels luxurious without being overdone, modern without losing its soul, and magical without a trace of gimmick.

Let Adaptive Light your vision—from the ground up.
Your dream home deserves lighting designed to live in.

#luxuryinteriordesign
#luxuryexterior #lightingdesigner #luxuryestates #luxurybeachhouses #luxuryarchitecture

ARCHITECTS ARE OUR TEAM CAPTAINS 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

ARCHITECTS ARE OUR TEAM CAPTAINS

ARCHITECTS ARE OUR TEAM CAPTAINS. How many team members get praises like this from their leaders. Perfecting our profession for 35 years comes with its rewards. Thanks Jack Snow.

“Thanks Guys —A very quick scan through makes me think you guys are gods—l really appreciate all your hard work” — Jack K. Snow A.I.A

#lightingdesign #architects #luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #architecturaldesign @rkdarchitects @adaptivedg

Integrating lighting in architecture
Integrating lighting in architecture 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Integrating lighting in architecture

Integrating lighting in architecture

ARTISTS WITH LIGHT.

Integrating lighting in architecture is magical when it is guided by vision, refined through expertise, and executed with precision in specification and communication. There is no shortcut to success — only thoughtful process, deep understanding, and respect for the craft.

Great architecture is experienced twice: once through form, and again through light. When lighting is treated as an architectural material rather than an afterthought, the structure comes alive. Surfaces gain depth. Volumes gain presence. Shadow becomes intentional. Space becomes emotional. This is where true architectural lighting design lives — at the intersection of artistry and engineering.

Integrating lighting in architecture requires more than choosing fixtures. It demands early collaboration with architects, interior designers, engineers, and builders. It requires understanding sight lines, material reflectivity, ceiling construction, structural limitations, and how each space will actually be lived in. Lighting must be coordinated at the blueprint level, not patched in after the fact. This level of integration is what separates ordinary illumination from architectural excellence.

At Adaptive Design Group, we approach lighting as a form of spatial storytelling. Each project begins with listening — to the architect’s vision, the designer’s intent, and the client’s lifestyle. Through careful specification and layered design, we ensure that light enhances architecture rather than competing with it. Our process is deliberate, strategic, and deeply rooted in experience.

True success in architectural lighting does not happen by chance. It happens through buildable documentation, clear communication with trades, and a respect for the complexities of modern construction. When the lighting designer understands structure, finishes, technology, and human behavior, illumination becomes seamless — invisible when it should be, and breathtaking when it matters most.

This is why we call ourselves artists with light. Not because of some lofty ideal, but because of responsibility. The responsibility to protect the integrity of the architecture. The responsibility to honor the materials chosen. The responsibility to elevate the experience of those who live within the space.

If you value excellence in your architectural vision and want lighting that feels intentional, cohesive, and timeless, we invite you to connect with us and discover what integrated lighting design can truly achieve. Reach out to explore how we can illuminate your architecture with purpose.

#AdaptiveDesignGroup

LIGHT TRANSPORTER
LIGHT TRANSPORTER 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

LIGHT TRANSPORTER

LIGHT TRANSPORTER

It is all about Visualization, Specification and Execution.

Few architectural features capture the imagination like a glass elevator. In this project, the elevator serves not only as a functional element connecting floors but as a visual centerpiece. A true LIGHT TRANSPORTER. Encased in glass, it frames breathtaking views of the snowy mountain landscape, creating a sense of openness and connection with the outdoors. As it moves, the surrounding light shifts, highlighting both the mechanical precision and the artistry of the surrounding architecture.

Wrapping gracefully around the elevator, the staircase is a masterclass in layered lighting. Artistic decorative lighting draws the eye to the sculptural qualities of the handrails, balusters, and treads, while practical lighting ensures safety and comfort. Subtle accent and recessed fixtures highlight the curves and angles, reinforcing the rhythm of movement through the space. Each element is carefully specified to balance aesthetic impact with functional necessity, a hallmark of expert architectural lighting design.

Adaptive Design Group’s approach to this space demonstrates how integrated design thinking elevates even the most technical elements. Visualization allows the team to anticipate how light interacts with materials, glass, and snow-reflective surfaces. Specifications ensure the correct products, placement, and dimming controls, while meticulous execution guarantees that the final result is flawless. The combination of artistry and technology transforms a simple vertical transport into a centerpiece of beauty, interaction, and light.

Ready to transform your home with functional art in motion? Contact Adaptive Design Group and see how expert lighting design can make every element shine.

#theartofillumination #luxurylifestyle #finearchitecture #elevator #lightingdesign #lightingcontrol #lutronlighting

Two Kinds of Light Lighting Design Idaho
Two Kinds of Light 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Two Kinds of Light

Two Kinds of Light

There are only two kinds of light: glow and glare. One flatters. The other blinds. You pick.

At Adaptive Design Group, we design with intention. Every room, every surface, and every moment in your home should be shaped by artful, glowing light—never harsh, never accidental. Our architectural lighting designers collaborate with top luxury architects across the country to craft residential lighting experiences that feel effortless yet refined.

From task and ambient lighting to decorative and landscape illumination, we balance artistry with the most advanced smart lighting control systems. This blend of creativity and precision ensures your home not only looks extraordinary but functions in harmony with your lifestyle. No glare. No guesswork. Just seamless glow.

With deep expertise in automatic lighting, wireless lighting control, and fully integrated home systems, we build comprehensive plans that eliminate surprises and elevate every corner of your space.

Ready to design with glow, not glare? Contact us to get started on your custom residential lighting project.

#luxurylifestyle #luxuryarchitecture #lightingdesign #lightingcontrol #luxuryinteriordesign #luxuryhomes

Newport Beach Yacht Club
Newport Beach Yacht Club “A Night of Light” 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Newport Beach Yacht Club “A Night of Light”

A Night of Light — Newport Beach Yacht Club

On September 30th, Audio Visions and Glenn Merlin Johnson invite you to join us at the Newport Beach Yacht Club for an evening unlike any other—A Night of Light.

Set against the harbor backdrop, this event is an intimate opportunity to connect, share ideas, and experience firsthand the vision that has guided Glenn’s lifelong work in lighting design. Known for redefining how light transforms both private residences and landmark commercial projects, Glenn brings not only technical expertise but also a philosophy: that light is more than illumination—it is atmosphere, wellness, and art combined.

This evening will be a rare chance to hear his insights on the evolving role of lighting, from the subtle details that influence mood to the innovations shaping the future of design. Guests can expect thoughtful conversation, engaging demonstrations, and an inside look at the Adaptive Method™—a unique approach that bridges science and artistry in every project.

Beyond the professional exchange, the night promises an atmosphere of warmth and connection. Surrounded by colleagues, industry leaders, and enthusiasts, you’ll leave with not only new perspectives but also meaningful connections within the design community.

Space is limited, and reservations are required. To join us for this special occasion, scan the QR code or visit www.audiovisions.com/adaptive-lighting.

We look forward to welcoming you to the harbor for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, vision, and light.

Contact us for more information