In the new American galleries, Rowland Hall will showcase American works dating from 1776, the period of America’s independence, forward into the 1800s. The hall, inspired by the Federalist architecture of Robert Adam, will be graced with elegant coves and wall niches, marble columns and circular skylights. Robert Adam really changed the way people thought about the architecture of antiquity through his extensive research and study experiences. Architects today still look back on basic principles brought to fruition by the person to whom the Nelson-Atkins' Rowland Hall will be paying homage.
Shown here is the framework for one of the two skylights (center), together with the rough placement for the other (upper left). The metal braces that hang down from the ceiling in a circular pattern form a ledge upon which the pie-wedged glass laylights will rest. Lighting fixtures above the glass will be focused upward toward the ceiling, which will be painted white. The white ceiling and frame will reflect and redirect the light downward through the glass. You'll be able to see these beautiful skylights yourself in April 2009.