RIBA Headquarters

RIBA Headquarters. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) headquarters, located in Portland Place, London, is a notable example of Art Deco architecture in the United Kingdom, designed by George Grey Wornum and completed in 1934. The building has been the home of RIBA since its completion and has hosted numerous events and exhibitions, including the RIBA Stirling Prize and the RIBA Royal Gold Medal. The building's design has been influenced by the works of Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and has been praised by Herbert Read and Nikolaus Pevsner.

● History

The history of the RIBA Headquarters dates back to the early 20th century, when RIBA decided to build a new headquarters in London. The site in Portland Place was chosen, and George Grey Wornum was commissioned to design the building. The construction of the building began in 1932 and was completed in 1934, with the official opening taking place on November 8, 1934, in the presence of King George V and Queen Mary. The building has since undergone several renovations and restorations, including a major refurbishment in the 1980s, led by Terry Farrell and Norman Foster. The building has also been visited by numerous notable architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, and I.M. Pei.

● Architecture

The architecture of the RIBA Headquarters is a prime example of Art Deco style, with a mix of Classical and Modernist elements, influenced by the works of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean-Michel Frank. The building's design features a striking Portland stone façade, with a bold and geometric pattern of granite and bronze details, similar to the works of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Kohn Pedersen Fox. The building's interior features a grand staircase and a large lecture theatre, designed by Hope Bagenal and Hugh Casson. The building's design has been praised by Reyner Banham and Colin Rowe, and has been compared to the works of Albert Speer and Hans Linstow.

● Location

The RIBA Headquarters is located in Portland Place, London, in the heart of the West End and close to Regent's Park and the British Museum. The building is situated near other notable architectural landmarks, including the Langham Hotel, designed by John Giles and Charles Fitzroy Doll, and the BBC Broadcasting House, designed by George Val Myer and Myles Wright. The building is also close to the University College London and the Royal Academy of Arts, and has been visited by students from Bartlett School of Architecture and Architectural Association School of Architecture.

● Features

The RIBA Headquarters features a range of facilities, including a library, an archive, and a gallery, which hosts exhibitions on architecture and design, including works by Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe. The building also features a bookshop, a café, and a restaurant, designed by Terence Conran and Conran and Partners. The building's lecture theatre hosts a range of events, including RIBA lectures and conferences, featuring speakers such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, and Richard Rogers. The building has also hosted events and exhibitions in collaboration with other organizations, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

● Sustainability

The RIBA Headquarters has undergone several sustainability initiatives, including a major refurbishment in 2014, which aimed to reduce the building's carbon footprint and improve its energy efficiency, led by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Buro Happold. The building features a range of sustainable design elements, including photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, and green roofs, similar to the works of Ken Yeang and Sutton Vane Associates. The building has been awarded a BREEAM rating of "Excellent" and has been recognized as one of the most sustainable buildings in the United Kingdom, along with the Gherkin and the Crystal Palace.

● Awards

The RIBA Headquarters has won numerous awards and accolades, including the RIBA Royal Gold Medal and the Europa Nostra award, presented by Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II. The building has also been recognized as one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the United Kingdom, along with the Savoy Hotel and the Sun House, and has been praised by Nikolaus Pevsner and Reyner Banham. The building has been featured in numerous publications, including The Architectural Review and The Architects' Journal, and has been exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Museum of Modern Art. The building has also been visited by numerous notable architects, including Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano, and Santiago Calatrava. Category:Buildings and structures in London