Borough
Architectural period
Architectural type
Facility

We will be launching the 2022 programme in mid-August

  • Royal Institute of British Architects, 66 Portland Place, London
  • View from Portland Place

RIBA

George Grey Wornum

place
66 Portland Place, W1B 1AD
info_outline
Disabled access, Family activities during open house festival, Toilets

Travel Information

subway
Nearest tube: Great Portland Street, Oxford Circus, Regent's Park
directions_bus
Bus routes: 88, C2, 453
Fine example of Grade II* listed 1930s architecture with many original features and fittings and home to the world-class British Architectural Library collections. Open for pre-book visits only.

Events

Saturday 4th September
SEND activity: Experiencing Space - Architecture at the RIBA
schedule Time: 10am to 12pm
group Capacity: 30
FULLY BOOKED. Join the RIBA and DisOrdinary Architecture Project for a free creative workshop especially for families with visually impaired children. During the workshop families will be able explore and experience architecture! The RIBA headquarters is full of large and small spaces made with different materials. Families can feel, see, smell and hear what the historic building is like and create their own ‘word picture’ in response. PLEASE NOTE: This workshop is specifically for families with visually impaired children. All children must always be accompanied by an adult. You will receive an email from the RIBA asking for more details and access needs to be able to confirm your booking and make sure we have everything you need for your visit. Please book a ticket for each person, including for each child.

Design

Original design
George Grey Wornum, 1934
Type
Institution/profession, Gallery, Library, Museum
Period
Inter-war

  • History of the Building

    The present headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects, which was opened on 8 November 1934 by King George V and Queen Mary, was designed by G Grey Wornum CBE, FRIBA (1888-1957), who won the commission in an open architectural competition that attracted 284 entries. The foundation stone was laid by Lord Howard de Walden on 28 June 1933.

    In 1970, on the recommendation of the Historic Buildings Council, the RIBA building was listed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government as a Grade II building of architectural and historic importance, one of the very first examples of 'modern architecture' to be so recognised.

    The six-storey building is faced in Portland Stone. The sculpted figures on the Portland Place front depict the spirit of man and woman as the creative forces of architecture. Along the Weymouth Street elevation, above the third-storey window line, are five relief figures, depicting a painter, a sculptor, an architect (Sir Christopher Wren), an engineer and a working man. The interior of the building is finely detailed in a variety of materials.

  • Open House Weekend Programme

    In celebration of Open House 2022 join us at the Royal Institute of British Architects headquarters for free guided tours and chance to view a film on the building in-situ.

Volunteer for Open House Festival Participants' site