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Light That Paints

How Precision Lighting Elevates Fine Art and Interior Ambience

There’s beauty in a painting—and then there’s the beauty of how it’s lit. This Tuscan countryside oil painting already evokes warmth, movement, and serenity on its own. But with Merlin Light technology casting perfect color-rendered light across every brushstroke, the entire experience is transformed. The result? A living moment suspended on the wall—vivid, dimensional, and emotionally resonant.

Merlin Light magically shapes: Tuscan countryside oil painting

This is more than a spotlight. This is intentional illumination, tailored to complement the tones, textures, and materials of the artwork. The soft golden hills and cool blue shadows of the Tuscan scene are rendered with accuracy and reverence, as if the sun itself was curated to match the canvas.

Proper lighting bridges the gap between appreciation and awe. It draws you closer. It allows the art to breathe and perform. And for collectors, homeowners, or designers who deeply care about how a space feels—lighting becomes just as essential as the art itself.

At Adaptive Design Group, we design and install lighting that respects the subject and enhances the space it lives in. Whether it’s one cherished piece or an entire curated collection, we use the latest lighting technology—including Merlin Light—to showcase your art at its best.

Your art deserves to be seen in its full brilliance. Let Adaptive Design Group light it to perfection.

@adaptivedg #theartofillumination @glenn.johnson.14606 @merlin_light @fineartconnoisseurmagazine

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Modern Design Team

Collaborative Lighting + Dimming Design

The “Modern Design Team” isn’t complete without a professional Lighting Design and Dimming Controls expert at the table. At Adaptive Design Group, we’ve spent over 35 years proving why. Under the leadership of Glenn Merlin Johnson, we have pioneered the fusion of technical precision and artistic vision—bringing together the worlds of architecture, interiors, and advanced lighting control into one seamless experience.

Today’s high-end residential projects demand more than beautiful fixtures—they require intention, integration, and impeccable execution. That’s where we come in. Our firm is known nationwide for pushing the boundaries of what architectural lighting can do, not just visually, but emotionally. Every project begins with careful collaboration alongside architects, interior designers, and AV professionals. Together, we build lighting systems that elevate a home’s design and improve the way it lives, moves, and feels.

We leverage a curated arsenal of tools and technologies that help us bring these ideas to life. From our own high-output recessed Merlin Light—designed specifically to support detailed architectural lighting—to best-in-class systems and controls including Lutron, Ketra, Crestron, Control4, Vantage Controls, and Hevi Lite, we ensure that every fixture and dimming system works in harmony with the surrounding space. Our lighting plans integrate seamlessly with smart home controls, daylighting strategies, and material finishes to produce an experience that feels effortless.

Brands like LF Illumination and Specialty Lighting Industries support our vision with specialty luminaires that help us shape light to architecture, furniture, and artwork alike. The result is never cookie-cutter—it’s always customized, elevated, and enduring.

When lighting is done right, you feel it before you see it. That’s the Adaptive difference—and why the industry continues to look to us for leadership, creativity, and reliable execution.

We are here to support your vision. Let us help you make it a reality!

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Laminated Glass Sculpture Lighting

Precision Lighting for Complex Art Installations

Lighting glass is always a challenge, and when the artwork in question is a massive laminated glass sculpture by Dustin Yellin, the stakes rise exponentially. This piece resembles a fish tank yet defies both logic and perspective, demanding a lighting approach that balances technical precision with artistry. Adaptive Design Group was tasked with framing this intricate work to highlight every layer, every curve, and every subtle detail without distracting from the natural beauty and complexity of the sculpture.

Merlin Lights, with their high-performance framing projectors, were the ideal solution. Each projector was carefully selected, positioned, and tested to ensure perfect coverage and even illumination. The transparency and reflective qualities of laminated glass can make or break a presentation, and our team leveraged decades of experience in architectural and fine art lighting design to bring out vibrancy, texture, and depth. This wasn’t just about visibility—it was about creating an emotional impact and allowing viewers to experience the sculpture exactly as the artist intended.

The process involved careful mock-ups, iterative adjustments, and precise calibration, ensuring that every projector worked in harmony to sculpt the light around the piece. It’s a testament to the power of combining cutting-edge lighting technology with seasoned design expertise.

From the planning phase to final execution, this project highlights Adaptive Design Group’s mastery of complex lighting challenges. For collectors, galleries, and homeowners alike, our ability to control light with subtlety and precision transforms extraordinary artwork into a fully immersive experience.

Illuminate your collection with Adaptive Design Group—contact us to bring professional art lighting to your space.

@dustinyellin @dustinyellinstudio @merlin_light @adaptivedg

The Adaptive Method in Lighting Design

Artistry and Technology in Perfect Balance

At Adaptive Design Group, our signature approach—the Adaptive Method™ —is the foundation of over 35 years of exceptional architectural lighting design. This method isn’t just a process; it’s a philosophy. It combines artistry, precision, and technology to create lighting that enhances the architecture, interiors, artwork, and the overall experience of a space.

The Adaptive Method™  begins with a careful study of the home, its structure, and its purpose. Every element is considered: the ceilings, walls, furnishings, artwork, and landscape. Using this information, we design each layer of light—architectural, decorative, art, path, task, interior design, view, and exterior—to work together harmoniously. The Adaptive Method in Lighting Design ensures that every glow, highlight, and shadow is intentional, serving both aesthetic and functional goals.

Hidden technology is another key aspect of the Adaptive Method. Recessed projectors, dimming controls, motorized shades, and fully integrated smart systems work behind the scenes so the inhabitants experience comfort and beauty without distraction. Lighting should illuminate and inspire, not compete for attention.

Collaboration is also central to the Adaptive Method. Architects, interior designers, builders, and clients work together with our team to refine every detail, ensuring that the final result is a seamless integration of light, space, and lifestyle.

By applying the Adaptive Method, we transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences, where every room, artwork, and exterior feature is revealed at its absolute best.

Discover the Adaptive Method™ for your home. Contact Adaptive Design Group to elevate your space with expert lighting design and integrated technology.