What Did Robert Adam Learn From the Grand Tour - Essay Example

Draft Introduction The urge to do something that can live on in people’s minds memories is everybody’s desire especially that which influences people positively. This can only be possible if one is fully dedicated to his endeavor and follows all that pertains successful experience. One of the things that enhances one performance is having someone that you can emulate and learn from. This is the aspect of mentoring; having a good mentor enables one to make informed decision in his line of career and manage to be successful despite of challenges that are part of any endeavor. People that have made great influences in life are motivated by the desire to be outstanding, they have an intrinsic motivation which makes them do their level best without expecting any external rewards. These people are happy and contented when they see their goals and objectives being effectively achieved through their persistent efforts. This kind of motivations makes people to invest a lot of time and money in order to learn all the possible strategies that can make them succeed in what they are committed to. It is important to understand that methods and approaches that are needed to in order to make. a person achieve excellent performance in whatever he is committed are always available. The ability to get to find, understand and make good use of them depends on the effort that the person makes towards achieving them. People who are willing to take all the possible avenues to get the respective requirements, ultimately become successful. All this characteristics describes one of the most respected and highly talented British architect that lived many decades ago. Robert Adams Robert Adams was born and lived between 1728 and 1792 in Scotland, he was the son of William Adam who lived between 1689 and 1748. William was one of the foremost architects of all the time in Scotland, and was accredited for various designs that have been used in different cities in most of the major cities. Adams was raised and mentored by his father, who taught him how to make different kinds of architectural designs as well as brother John. During this time Robert was in charge of the family business that included a lucrative work for the board of ordinance, this came after the death of his father William in 1748. Robert became popular and famous through his neo-classical styles of architecture; as a result, he became a force to reckon through his unified style that extended beyond normal architecture. It is believed that the designs that Robert used in his designs extended beyond architecture and interiors, is his approach, he was able to make both fixed and moveable parts in a room that he designed, something that make his architectural designs unique from other architects. For Robert, one of the things that made his works outstanding was the fact that he researched and incorporated design ideas that was borrowed from ancient Greece and Rome, which were famous for beautiful forms and decorations. Of the famous works that Robert is known for, there is Kenwood House, Osterley Park and Syon House, all of which are found in London. The search for new designs and the desire to make state of the art architectural works prompted Robert to move beyond Britain to find how other people made their designs in architecture. In 1794, Robert embarked on a tour to different cities, this was the “Grand Tour” that saw him move and spend a total of five years in France and Italy. While in this countries, he visited different classical sites, studying various types of architecture. After this grand tour, Robert came back to London and set to practice his own architectural work alongside his brother James. By this time, classical architecture was increasing in terms of demand, something that made Robert enjoy lucrative deals from his clientele that was largely growing. After learning about different styles that were being used in Rome and France, Robert did not directly use the particular design in his designs, instead he added his own creativity, to come up with special designs that had not been used before. This kind of style that Robert developed and used was referred to Adams style or Adamesque. His architectural designs were influenced by the classical approaches, but did not exactly follow the rules that were being applied for Roman architectural rules just as Palladianism did. As a result of the new styles that Robert established in London, he was later considered as the leader of the first phase of classical revival that was happening in England and Scotland. This developments started in 1760 up the time that Robert died, many of the architectural designs that came up during this time were characterised by Adamesque, a style that was pioneered by Robert. Adam is said to have had a great influence on the development of Western architecture that was prevalent in Europe and most parts of North America. In his designs, Adam designed different interiors as well as furniture and fittings in the houses that he establishes. During his lifetime, Robert once worked as a member of parliament for Kinross-shire constituency, in fact, it is recorded that he mentored most of his constituents into architecture and other careers. The Grand Tour After taking part in many of the family businesses, Robert joined the field of architecture after being mentored by his father into this field. Robert was very passionate about his career that he wanted to excel and create architectural designs that would influence the industry for all ages to come. It is this desire that prompted Robert to plan on a journey to find out how other architects in different parts of the world practiced their architecture. Accompanied by his brother James, Robert set on a grand tour that included a visit to most of the cities in Europe, this tour happened in 1754. In his grand tour, Robert went as far as Brussels, having started his journey in Edinburgh. When he moved from Scotland, he made a stop in London for some few days, where he took time to visit a number of the buildings that housed different activities in order to study their architectural designs. While in London, Robert visited a number of buildings including Windsor, Berkshire, Mansion House among others. In their tour of these cities, they were in the company of Thomas Sandby, one of the great architects that was at the centre of Windsor Great park buildings as well as Virginia Great Lake. Thomas explained to Robert and his brother about his landscaping and architectural designs that he used in the developing of some of these structures. After spending a considerable amount of time in London studying the architectural designs of various buildings, the two sailed Dover, arriving in Calais in the same year, 1954. Here, they met with Charles, the brother of Earl, who was living in Brussels. In the first place, Charles was adamant to accompany Robert on his journey to Rome; he only did so after interventions by his uncle. It is believed that his uncle had taken the grand tour alone; soothing that was enough to convince Charles to accompany Robert on his journey to Rome. After reaching at an agreement, they set off for Rome in Italy so that they could also have an idea about the architectural designs that were being used in the establishment of various private and public structures. When they were in Brussels, the pair took time to visit different churches and palaces that were established in the city. Their main interest was learning the ideas used in the development of these structures so that the same designs would be incorporated in making architectural designs back in Britain. After spending time studying these areas, Robert moved as far as Tournai and Lille. While in France, they paid a visit to Citadal, a building that was designed by Sebastien Le Prestre, one of the architects that was renowned and highly respected in France at that time. After visiting most of the cities that they set to, and learning from most of the architects of such designs, they were satisfied and decided to move on with their journey heading to Rome. Adam and Hope set out to Rome in Italy together, but this time round, they faced huge obstacles that affected their tour. While in Rome, the two went short of funds, failing to manage travel and accommodation expenses. This development meant that Robert change his tour decisions, he was forced to stay in Rome until 1757. During this time, he decided to take studies about classical designs in architecture, at the same time, he decided to horn his skills in drawing hoping to use the same when after coming back to Britain. While learning these classical designs and improving his skills in drawing, Adam was being assisted by special French and Italian tutors. His tutors were Charles Louis, a French architect as well as Giovani Battista, both of who were highly respected in the ideas and architectural designs in France and Italy respectively. Working with these tutors was a great idea for Robert, this is because he became more acquainted with the work of Johann Joachim, one of the pioneers of classical archaeologist and a historian, who was highly respect in Italy and other places that he worked. After staying and accumulating enough money to carry on with their journey, Adam, together with his partner decided to come back to London and implement the ideas that he had learnt in his grand tour. On their return journey, they took time of their schedule to study the ruins of Diocletian’s palaceat. The findings from the study of these ruins were later documented and published in a book that was printed as “Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia in 1764.” After, having a successful journey, they came back in London to implement the lessons that they had learned along the course of their great tour in France and Italy Lessons from the Grand Tour After having interacted with various architects in Brussels, Italy and Rome, Robert set foot back in London in 1758 and started his business in London alongside his brother James. Using the knowledge they had acquired, the decided to establish complete scheme for the building of houses, this included making decorations and various furnishings. During this time, the architectural designs that were popular were those by Palladian. Robert established various country houses in London and its environs in this style, however, he later found it important to implement the ideas that he had learnt on his grand tour. After working with Palladian style for some time, Robert decided to redesign his architectural designs. He decided to put the ideas he had learnt into active use, this saw his architectural design find a new evolution, he became more flexible, incorporating different elements of the Roman designs in the structures that he developed. At the same time, he was also influenced by architectural designs in Greek, Byzantine as well as Baroque styles, bringing designs that had not been seen before in Britain. Many people seemed to like and appreciate these new designs, the idea of making fittings and other movable elements in houses prompted a great demand for their house designs as well as conference structures. Robert Did not fully create the designs that he had learnt on Rome and France, instead he decided to inculcate his own creativity into the final designs, something that brought about totally new methods of building houses and different structures. One of the motivations in their deign was to create houses to the simplest element that one may want to have in his house. To this effect, it can be said that the success that Adam brothers enjoyed was arose from their decision to create architectural designs down to the smallest detail. This creativity received great demand by many people in Britain and other places because it was said to create a sense of unity in their house design. Roberts Influence on Architectural designs Up today, the great tour that was undertaken by Robert Adams is said to have had a great impact not only to the architectural designs of that time, but also to the modern time approaches in architecture. The Adams family pioneered most of the classical architectural designs used in modern practices in this industry, the desire to establish unique designs that would be used by many generations prompted Robert to take a tour and learn from different people. After coming from the great tour, Robert is said to have influenced architectural ideas by various architects from henceforth. The design and style of architecture that was being used by many architects Palladian, one that was introduced in Britain by one architect by two architects with the names Jones and Burlington respectively. An examination of the style that was being used by Robert indicated that Palladian style was not the best at that time. Many people seemed to prefer the new classical designs by Robert because it was said to be much complete and having most of things that people preferred in the houses. The inclusion of furniture and fittings as well as other movable parts in the house was an addition that Robert came up with. Robert decided not to copy the styles he had learnt in his tour, but opted to add value; this is what led to the established of an architectural design style that has come to be referred to as Adamesque or the Robert style of architectural design. Read More