Architectural Archives

Robert Adam Collection (020), Architect, 1728-1792

Robert Adam was a Scottish architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. He trained under his father and, with his brother, transformed Palladian Neoclassicism in England into the airy, light, elegant Adam style. His major architectural works include public buildings in London, and his designs were used for the interiors of country mansions such as Syon House in Middlesex (now in Hounslow, London).

This collection contains architectural drawings by Robert Adam for the unbuilt Court House and Gaol, Appleby, 1766, together with architectural drawings by Robert Fothergill, architect, for the same project. In addition, the collection contains two leases, signed by four Adam brothers, for a house in the Royal Terrace, London, in the Adam family development, Adelphi, as well as an architectural drawing attributed to the office of Robert Adam for an unidentified five-bay house.