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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

Morning stroll in the Uintas
Morning stroll in the Uintas 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Morning stroll in the Uintas

Morning stroll in the Uintas

There are few experiences that rival the quiet majesty of the Uinta Mountains in autumn. A morning stroll through the high meadows and alpine trails reveals a world painted in gold, amber, and deep crimson as the season reaches its peak. The crisp air carries the scent of pine, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot sets the rhythm, and everywhere the landscape is alive with shifting light.

In places like this, it becomes clear that natural light is the original designer. As the sun rises, its low angle casts long shadows and ignites the mountainsides in a glow that feels both fleeting and eternal. The interplay between light and form—the way it filters through branches, outlines a ridge, or shimmers on the surface of a lake—creates moments of beauty no artist could fully replicate. It’s light at its most honest, unshaped and unfiltered, yet deeply moving.

Walking here, one can’t help but draw inspiration. For those of us in the world of lighting design, these natural encounters are reminders of why light matters. The warmth of morning sun across a meadow is the same emotional resonance we strive to capture when illuminating a room or a piece of art. Just as the mountains transform under shifting skies, so too does a space transform when light is thoughtfully applied.

A morning stroll in the Uintas is more than a walk—it’s a meditation on perspective. It reminds us to slow down, to notice how light defines everything we see, and to carry that awareness back into the spaces we create. Because at the heart of design, whether in the wilderness or within walls, is the same truth: light is what brings everything to life.

Contact us for designing the lighting in your luxury mountain home, because that is one of our specialties.

WINNING TEAM in CYBER SECURITY
WINNING TEAM in CYBER SECURITY 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

WINNING TEAM in CYBER SECURITY

WINNING TEAM in CYBER SECURITY

THE WINNING TEAM in CYBER SECURITY: GUARDDOG.AI.

In today’s luxury homes, technology is no longer an accessory — it is the backbone of how a residence functions. From intelligent lighting systems and integrated controls to whole-home automation and connected IoT devices, modern estates rely on robust, always-on digital infrastructure. With that advancement comes responsibility. At the highest level of custom home design, cybersecurity is now essential.

As design professionals in high-end residential environments, the conversation doesn’t stop at visual beauty or functionality. It extends into the protection of data, privacy, and system integrity. A beautifully designed home means very little if the digital foundation behind it is vulnerable. This is where thoughtful cybersecurity solutions come into play — and why partnerships with forward-thinking platforms like GuardDog.AI have become so important within the luxury home ecosystem.

During this period of collaboration, Glenn Merlin Johnson worked alongside GuardDog.AI in business development, helping bridge the gap between technology, design, and real-world implementation. His role emphasized a growing truth in the industry: lighting designers, integrators, and technical experts are no longer working in isolation. We are stewards of an entire experience — visual, emotional, architectural, and digital.

“At Adaptive Design Group, our responsibility is not only to shape how a home feels, but how it functions and protects the people inside it.”

His original sentiment captures this perfectly:

“As design professionals in home tech it is our responsibility to provide our clients protection over their homes entire network of wired and wireless IoT products. This is the simplest and most cost effective solution by far! Glad to help with business development.” — Glenn Merlin Johnson

Luxury homeowners demand more than elegance; they demand certainty. They expect their environments to be secure, their systems to be reliable, and their privacy to be preserved. Cybersecurity is now an invisible layer of luxury — one that works quietly behind the scenes, much like exceptional lighting design.

At Adaptive Design Group, we remain committed to advancing the technical and artistic standards of the modern home. Whether through architectural lighting, integrated systems planning, or strategic collaboration with cybersecurity innovators, our work is always centered around creating intelligent, resilient, and protected environments.

If you’re building or evolving a technologically advanced home, reach out to us to explore how thoughtful collaboration can safeguard your vision while elevating your lifestyle.

#AdaptiveDesignGroup

 

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

CEDIA Tech Starter Winner!
CEDIA TECH STARTER WINNER! 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

CEDIA TECH STARTER WINNER!

CEDIA Tech Starter Winner!

Cybersecurity Solutions for the Modern Home

Adaptive Design Group is proud to highlight innovative technology in the luxury home market, and this recognition at CEDIA underscores just that. The Top Tech Starter award was presented to guardDog.ai for their groundbreaking cybersecurity solutions, designed to protect residential and office networks from potential intrusions. Glenn Merlin Johnson played an important role as a featured collaborator, supporting the integration and business development of this advanced solution.

In today’s connected homes, technology goes beyond convenience—it is essential for safety, privacy, and peace of mind. guardDog.ai’s plug-and-play devices allow homeowners to secure their networks effortlessly, combining artificial intelligence with intuitive controls that anyone can manage. The system protects all connected devices, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining seamless performance for everyday use.

This award-winning solution reflects the same philosophy Adaptive Design Group applies to Architectural Lighting Design and home automation: the integration of artistry, technology, and functionality to elevate the overall experience. Just as a lighting design is carefully crafted to enhance both beauty and comfort, cybersecurity must be thoughtfully designed to protect without intrusion, giving homeowners confidence and control.

Theres a reason why: CEDIA Tech Starter Winner!

Celebrate innovation in your home—contact Adaptive Design Group to learn how our design expertise can bring both safety and sophistication to your living spaces.

@guarddog.ai @adaptivedg.com #cediaexpo

Teaching Cyber Security 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Teaching Cyber Security

IF YOU SPEC TECH YOU MUST PROTECT! Glenn Merlin Johnson teaching on Cyber Security for GuardDog.ai. It is our responsibility to insure our clients are protected from Cyber Crime.
@guarddog.ai @adaptivedg  #cybersecurity #cepro #homeautomationsystem #customhomes #electronicsystems #iot #internetofthingsisthefuture

PLUG & PROTECT
PLUG & PROTECT 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

PLUG & PROTECT

PLUG & PROTECT

Cybersecurity for the Connected Life – Home & Office

In today’s connected environments, smart lighting and integrated AV systems are just the beginning. With every new device comes another potential entry point—making network security not just optional, but essential.

Plug & Protect is the ethos behind guardDog Solutions’ approach to residential cybersecurity. With their Fido device, a simple plug-in installation can shield the entire home or office network from malicious digital threats. No complicated setup, no IT team required—just active protection from the moment it powers on.

When Glenn Merlin Johnson served as business development manager for guardDog, he brought this forward-thinking solution into the spotlight at CEDIA Expo’s Launchpad—where emerging technologies meet the industry’s most innovative minds. In that role, Glenn helped highlight how tools like Fido could give integrators and homeowners alike a practical layer of security for everything happening beyond the physical walls of the space.

This type of foresight is part of what sets Adaptive Design Group apart. Understanding the full picture—from architectural lighting to acoustic design to now cybersecurity—means bringing clients real peace of mind, digitally and physically.

Because if you’re living with tech, you need to protect.

Learn more about the connected systems that make a modern home truly safe, seamless, and adaptive.

GUARDDOG.AI. #cybersecurity #hometechnology #customhomes #homesecuritysystem #cepro #homeintegration #stophackers