House of Architecture at the RIBA
House of Architecture at the RIBA
We produced a Conservation Plan for the home of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) home on Portland Place, Westminster.
Designed by George Grey Wornum and opened in 1934, the Grade II* listed building is a landmark of interwar architectural design, blending Scandinavian, American and neo‑Georgian influences. Its significance derives from five key aspects: the RIBA’s institutional identity; the building’s architectural design and civic presence; its sophisticated steel‑frame construction; the rich craftsmanship of its interiors (spanning bronze, plaster, timber, leather and etched glass); and its enduring programme of public, membership and professional use.
The Plan identified also challenges, including deterioration of original finishes, poor environmental performance, accessibility shortcomings, and the need to address contested colonial heritage embedded in materials and iconography. We proposed policies to conserve significant fabric, celebrate diverse and intangible heritage, critically reinterpret imperial symbolism, and strengthen skills in traditional crafts.
Our recommendations were aligned to the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge and provided a framework to safeguard the building’s heritage while enabling sensitive adaptation for the House of Architecture programme and the RIBA’s evolving public and professional role.
We then produced a Heritage Statement in support of the RIBA’s planning and listed building consent application for the House of Architecture Programme, involving a major refurbishment of the building. We argued that the proposals by Benedetti Architects would resolve longstanding issues of accessibility, fire safety, energy performance and deteriorated fabric while enhancing significant historic spaces. We demonstrated that most interventions would remain within the existing envelope and were designed to be reversible, ensuring that any limited harm is outweighed by public benefits, improved inclusivity and the long‑term viability of the RIBA’s headquarters. These proposals were subsequently grante dplanning permission, enabling the project to move forward.
Client: RIBA
Architect: Benedetti Architects