The garden temple was designed for Lord Sainsbury by Robert Adam to mark the beginning of the new millennium.  The design was chosen from a number of submissions by selected architects invited to create a monument that looked forward to the new millennium whilst referring to the historical context of the setting.  Robert Adam Architects, in partnership with structural engineers, Anthony Hunt Associates chose to create a design that blends classical architecture with cutting edge structural engineering. 

The Millennium Pavilion incorporates a copper clad dome with an internal double-helix aluminum armature.  The dome appears to elegantly float above classical limestone columns with stylized Corinthian bronze capitals, separated by slender stainless steel finials.  Below the dome, an inscribed slate band commemorates Lord Sainsbury’s choice of prominent British characters from the last two thousand years.