18th-century glass drawing room

Born in Kirkcaldy in 1728, Robert Adam studied in Edinburgh before travelling to continental Europe, where he spent five years studying and drawing architecture of the ancient world and developing his individual style of neo-classicism.

Subsequently establishing an office in London with his brothers, he became one of the most important architects and designers in Britain. Inspired by a range of classical sources, he designed dozens of public buildings and private residences including Register House in Edinburgh, Culzean Castle in Ayrshire and the Adelphi complex in London.

Designed in 1773-4, the glass drawing room was the lavish centrepiece to the fashionable London residence of the 1st Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, which was demolished in the late 19th century.