Robert Adam was born in 1948 and received his education in architecture from the University of Westminster. Upon graduation, Adam was awarded the 1972 Bannister Fletcher prize for work on his dissertation. Subsequently, he secured a prestigious Rome fellowship that allowed him to study at the British School in Rome from 1973-1974.

While in Rome, Adam wrote extensively on themes of classicism, architectural history, and meaning in architectural form. Following his year in Rome, Adam returned to England where he continued his writing as an architectural journalist. In 1977, Adam became a partner in a firm in Winchester before forming his own firm in 1986, Winchester Design, which was renamed ADAM Architecture in 2010. He helped to lead the firm until 2020.

Adam’s work ranges from urban design, to private commissions, and public building projects. In the late 1980s, Adam found himself drawn to King Charles III’s, then the Prince of Wales, denunciation of modern architecture. This led to his involvement in the New Urban development of Poundbury, a project spearheaded by Léon Krier. Adam names other important projects as the Sheridan House in Winchester from 1984, Ashley Park, a 2004 country house, and the Millenium Pavilion for Lord Sainsbury.

Adam was awarded the Richard H. Driehaus prize in 2017. Beyond his work as an architect and planner, Adam has also contributed to the creation of new institutions devoted to the promotion of traditional architecture and has participated widely in the professional architectural field. Adam served on the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) council from 1999-2005 and as secretary from 2001-2003. In 2001, Adam helped to found International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU), and served as a leader in the organization until 2022.