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The RIBA Library Photographs Collection contains over 1.5 million images of architecture worldwide. It is not only one of the key constituent collections of the RIBA Library, but also one of the most important collections in its subject field in the world.
 
The importance of photographs to the continuing development of architectural practice and history should need no stressing. Most images in the collection are unique; many are important photographically as well as architecturally.
 
The collection is very much a working archive which is heavily used by practising architects, researchers, historians, the media and the general public from all over the world. All are welcome to make use of this rich and unique resource.
 
The collection offers a wide range of services and its images can be put to a variety of uses. Architecture is preeminently a visual subject and whether you are an architect wanting illustrations for a crucial presentation or visual evidence for a building restoration or planning enquiry; a student needing to illustrate your thesis; an architectural historian studying a particular architect's work; a picture researcher seeking those elusive images; a designer looking for inspiration or a member of the general public anxious to find out more about the most public of arts, we may have the images you require. 

Coverage

The collection covers architecture not just in Britain but worldwide. Architecture is interpreted in its widest sense and the collection thus contains images of related topics such as interior design, landscape architecture, topography, construction, and the applied arts. The collection also holds a large number of portraits of architects and others who have contributed to the shaping of the built environment. Chronologically too the subject coverage of the collection is extensive, ranging from antiquity to the present.
 
In addition to the work of acknowledged photographic masters such as Francis Bedford and Tony Ray-Jones and architectural photographers like Dell and Wainwright and Eric de Maré, the collection holds the archives of several of the foremost architectural and topographical photographers of the 20th century, among them John Maltby, Colin Westwood, John McCann, Henk Snoek, Alastair Hunter, Crispin Boyle, John Donat and Edwin Smith. Another key feature of the Collection is the archive of the Architectural Press, the publishers of the Architectural Review  and Architects' Journal.
 
Images are held in a wide range of formats – negatives; prints; 5x4 and 35mm colour transparencies; postcards; and digital files.

RIBApix

RIBApix is the name of the British Architectural Library's online image database where you can view and purchase photographs and other images on the web. Go to www.ribapix.com|

Viewing photographs 

All photographs in the Collection can be viewed by prior appointment. Material is fetched from our environmentally-controlled store and made available to users on arrival.

Enquiry service

The collection operates a free enquiry service answering questions from all over the world about its holdings and whether we can supply images of particular buildings, subjects, or work by particular architects etc, either for private use or reproduction. If we have not got the image you want we may be able to suggest alternative sources. Enquiries are welcomed whether they be by post, phone, fax, e-mail or in person.

Copying service

Subject to the laws of copyright, the collection can provide copies of any of its images for private study or, subject to reproduction fees, publication. Similarly it can arrange for copies of images in other forms in the Library (e.g. engravings) to be made. Copies can be supplied either in conventional photographic format or as digital files.

Advice on architectural photographers

The collection, although not able to recommend individual photographers, can provide advice on photographers working in Britain. A free list of architectural photographers arranged by region is available on request.

Loans to exhibitions

Material, either in its original form or in the form of copies, can be supplied to exhibitions both in Britain and abroad provided the Collection's conditions are met.

Information resource

Each picture in the collection is capable of being used in a variety of ways and may yield information on many different topics. The information compiled in the course of cataloguing our photographs not only makes users aware of the images we have, but also constitutes a rich information resource in its own right. This information is available on-line and contributes to the body of information made available to members and the general public through the Library's Information Centre.

Publications

A range of postcards and other merchandising is available. In addition a number of publications based on the Collection's holdings are available from the RIBA Bookshop. These include:  

Photography takes Command: the Camera and British Architecture 1890-1939
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, Photographs Collection)
This book details the development of British architectural photography and contains images from the Collection, is available directly from the collection at a price of £10.00 inclusive of postage and packing.
 

John Maltby: Images from the Photographs Collection of the Royal Institute of British Architects
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, photographs collection)
The first in the new Architecture in Camera series, which aims to showcase the superb archive of the RIBA Library's Photographs Collection. This book is devoted to John Maltby (1910-80) an architectural photographer whose career spanned five decades and produced some of the most enduringly evocative images of British architecture and design during the twentieth century. London: RIBA Publications, 2000. Paperback - 112 pages. ISBN: 18594 0828.
 

Eric de Maré: Images from the Photographs Collection of the Royal Institute of British Architects
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, photographs collection)
The second in the Architecture in Camera series, which aims to showcase the superb archive of the RIBA Library's Photographs Collection. This book is devoted to Eric de Maré (1910-) one of Britain's most important and influential architectural photographers. London: RIBA Publications, 2000. Paperback - 108 pages. ISBN: 18596 0836.
 

Building a Better Tomorrow : Architecture of the 1950s
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, Photographs Collection)
An introductory overview to a period which is now being increasingly studied, and in which there is burgeoning interest. The book is primarily visual, photographs have been chosen from the RIBA's collections to illustrate the important buildings and themes of the period. London: John Wiley & Sons, 2000. Paperback - 112 pages. ISBN: 0471987077.
 

Building with Light: the International History of Architectural Photography
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, Photographs Collection)
Shortlisted for the prestigious CICA and Sir Banister Fletcher book awards, this book looks at how photography has shaped the practice and study of architecture. London: Merrell, 2004. Hardback – 240 pages. ISBN: 1 85894 215-2
 

Great Buildings of London: Knowledge Cards
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, Photographs Collection)
A pack of 48 cards with images of important London buildings on one side and details of their history on the other. Petaluma: Pomegranate, 2006. ISBN: 978-07649-4091-0
 

Evocations of Place: the Photography of Edwin Smith
(by Robert Elwall, Curator Photographs Collection)
The first major study for over twenty years of one of Britain's greatest photographers. London: Merrell, 2007. Hardback – 176 pages. ISBN: 978-1-8589-4373-6
 

Image and Experience; the Photography of John Donat
(by Robert Elwall, Curator, Photographs Collection)
This book looks at the work of the photographer who transformed British architectural photography by applying to it lessons leant from photojournalism. London: RIBA British Architectural Library, 2007.

Can you help?

 

The collection pursues an active policy of acquiring material to provide as complete a record as possible of our built environment for the benefit of future generations. Since its inception it has benefited enormously from the generosity of RIBA members and the general public. If you know of any material which you think might be of interest and which you would be willing to see housed in the collection, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Voluntary work in the Photographs Collection

 

The RIBA Library Photographs Collection is seeking volunteers to help with the cataloguing of its unique imagery. Full training will be given but you should have a knowledge of, and interest in, architectural history and be able to commit to at least one day a week during normal office hours for a minimum period of three months. If you are interested please send your curriculum vitae and a covering letter to: RIBA Library Photographs Collection, 66 Portland Place, London W1B 1AD.

Further information

If you require further information about any of our holdings or services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3627/3684/3642
Fax: +44 (0)20 7631 1802
E-mail: Photo@inst.riba.org|