ADAM Architecture

Last week, some of the ADAM Architecture team had the pleasure of visiting the John Cullen Lighting showroom in London. We toured the showroom, seeing first hand how different lighting techniques—like downlighting, wall lighting, and uplighting—can emphasise textures and details in unique ways. A big thank you to Sally Storey, Luke Thomas, Herman van Driel and the John Cullen team for a fascinating experience.

Exciting news as The British School at Rome have announced they are accepting applications for three architectural scholarship awards. The deadline is Monday 2nd December. The opportunities include the Robert Adam Rome Scholarship where the winning candidate receives three-months board and accommodation at the British School at Rome along with a monthly £800 research and travel grant to study the tradition and evolution of classical architecture in Rome and Italy. The other awards are The Rome Scholarship in Architecture which is awarded to an exceptionally promising post-graduate architecture graduate or early career architect, and the Giles Worsley Rome Fellowship which offers a three-month architectural history research residency and the chance to carry out a ‘discrete piece of work’ and deliver a final presentation to the school. If you're interested, read more about the scholarships below.

Yesterday, we had a charity bake sale in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month for Breast Cancer Now. Our amazing team brought in delicious baked goodies and donated, helping us raise over £500! We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and effort from our team to make a difference for an important cause. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

Today we are celebrating World Cities Day by reflecting on a trip made recently by Jodie Howard from ADAM Architecture to Rome, as part of her scholarship with the British School at Rome. Jodie delved into the city's rich layers—from the Pantheon and its oculus to the ancient grandeur of the Baths of Diocletian and the Domus Aurea. Each landmark offered unique insights into Rome’s incredible journey of adaptation, resilience, and historic beauty.   Jodie shared: ‘The metamorphosis of buildings through destruction, appropriation, spoliation, and addition showcases the dynamic nature of Rome’s urban landscape.’   Read more about Jodie’s experience and the architectural wonders of Rome here https://lnkd.in/esqjXhBH

To mark #BigDrawMonth, the ADAM Architecture Future Group (AFG) took to the city with sketchbooks in hand. The London team focused on the National Theatre, while the Winchester team captured scenes from Hyde Street, exploring the relationship between architecture and city life.

Our survey on the pedestrian experience of the urban environment will close today at 6 pm GMT. Earlier this year, we launched a psychological survey across Glasgow, London, and Winchester to gather responses on how people perceive and feel about different urban environments. The survey has been a resounding success! So far, 191 respondents have made a total of 2,260 evaluations.  A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited our gazebo and contributed to the survey in person or through our online platform. A special thanks goes to Karina Garces-Mirza and Paola Pasino at the Glasgow City Council for organising and allowing us to be a part of the Glasgow Walking and Wheeling Festival. Equally, we are grateful to Winchester City Council and the Westminster City Council for allowing us to set up on the High Street and the Strand, two of the most vibrant areas of these cities. If you haven't had the chance to participate yet but would like to before the closure, the survey link is provided below. Your input is invaluable! https://lnkd.in/dNrKa3-w

We’re pleased to share that the full video of ADAM Director Hugh Petter's talk at the 23rd Annual McKim Lecture, The Value of Tradition: A Personal Journey, is now available. This was hosted by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) in March.   In his lecture, Hugh delves into ideas from his book, Living Tradition, reflecting on how architectural lessons from the past can help us address modern challenges in urban and architectural design. He discusses the value of vernacular traditions, collaboration with landowners and developers, and how these approaches can foster buildings and communities that are elegant, sustainable, and rooted in their surroundings.   Watch the full lecture here: https://lnkd.in/exkRtXBg

Congratulations to Evangeline House on the completion of her Part III. Evangeline was first drawn towards a career in design whilst at primary school: she was inspired by the vernacular of Norfolk where she grew up, notably the widespread use of flint, as well as by time spent with her grandfather, a skilled carpenter. These threads, of architectural design, materiality and craftsmanship, continue to inform and inspire her work at ADAM Architecture, and she notes the presence of all three in some of her favourite buildings, including Norwich’s famous cathedral and the Royal Arcade. Evangeline is particularly interested in the social and interactive elements of architecture, and how buildings can positively impact their users. She is also a keen traveller, finding great benefit in immersing herself in the different culture, vernacular and materiality of regions. Recent trips have included volunteering in Kenya and the ECC at the Venice Biennale, as well as research visits to India, Russia and a number of European Cites. Evangeline undertook her studies at Norwich University of the Arts and the Kingston School of Arts. She joined ADAM Architecture in 2022 and since then has worked on a number of residential projects – notably a suite of new buildings designed to sit harmoniously within an historic estate.

We're delighted to share the first design sketches, released by Blenheim Estate Homes, for the new limestone obelisk that will serve as the centrepiece in Market Square at the Park View development in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. The Park View Monument Project is a collaboration between ADAM Architecture, Blenheim Estate, Blenheim Estate Homes, Pye Homes, West Oxfordshire District Council, and the winning carvers, the Master Carvers Association. ADAM Director, Hugh Petter, said: "Opportunities to practise and to keep traditional craft skills alive are few and far between and, by inclusion of the obelisk as a central point in the design for Park View, we can help to support young carvers with work that is relevant and meaningful. The Blenheim and Grinling Gibbons connections make this particular situation all the more appropriate and provide another link between past, present, and future for this outstanding site." The designs across the obelisk panels embrace three themes which incorporate key elements of Blenheim Estate’s legacy principles - heritage and environment, building and community, inclusivity and togetherness. The obelisk is due to be completed and unveiled in Spring 2026 and will mark the end of construction work at Park View.

Last week, some members of the ADAM team took part in a Charity 5-a-side Football Tournament in Battersea where we donated £200 in aid of Shelter UK organised by CC Construction Group. This involved a fun bit of competition in teams with CC Construction Group, SSH Design, Webster Hart, BLDA Architects, Regency Grove Consultants, John Cullen Lighting, and Studio Indigo.