2012

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RIBA submits plan for new ground floor gallery

Date:

06 September 2012

Press office contact:

Howard Crosskey
T: +44 (0)20 7307 3761
E: howard.crosskey@riba.org

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has confirmed that an application for Planning and Listed Building Consent has recently been submitted to design a permanent purpose-built gallery at its headquarters on 66 Portland Place, London W1.

The new gallery will have museum conditions enabling the British Architectural Library to exhibit its collection of models, photographs and drawings. The collection of international significance includes works by Mies van der Rohe, Sir John Soane, Sir Christopher Wren and Andrea Palladio.

As part of the design process, architects Carmody Groarke have worked closely with Julian Harrap, the gallery’s appointed Listed Building Experts, and the RIBA to ensure the new gallery is sensitive and respectful to the original building.

RIBA President Elect, Stephen Hodder said:

'This is one of the most ambitious and exciting projects the RIBA has undertaken in recent years and fits in with our goal of bringing architecture to a wider audience.

'Our new gallery will allow us to open more of our wonderful building to the public and attract new visitors to engage with architecture in a unique setting. I’m looking forward in the coming years to sharing our priceless collections in the surrounding of 66 Portland Place.'

Chair of Planning Sub Committee, Marylebone Association Neil Wilson said:

'The Marylebone Association warmly welcomes the plans for a new gallery at the RIBA; the plans have been developed in close consultation with the Association and will positively contribute to the interior aesthetics of this landmark building.

'This is wonderful news for local residents and businesses and it is encouraging that these ambitious plans have reached this stage. When it opens the new RIBA ground floor gallery will offer the public never before seen access to one of the world’s most important architectural collections, reinforcing 66 Portland Place as the UK’s leading public cultural centre for design.'

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • For further press information contact Howard Crosskey in the RIBA Press Office: 020 7307 3761 howard.crosskey@riba.org
  • To download the first image available from the project ‘view from entrance’ please follow this link: https://www.box.com/s/auy2zor05g5zvub4h76x
  • As yet there is no confirmed opening date for the new gallery
  • The RIBA's British Architectural Library is one of the top three architectural collections in the world and the finest in Europe. Containing over four million items it celebrates the achievements of architects from the Renaissance to the present day. Among many highlights, the collection includes 300 designs and sketches by Andrea Palladio (over 80% of Palladio's drawings). The collection holds many topographical drawings, the most important of which are probably the views of Greek antiquities painted 1751 - 53 by James 'Athenian' Stuart, later engraved for the Antiquities of Athens, and William Daniell's views of India. There are also 10,000 architectural engravings. It also includes some major collections of 20th century architects including Ernö Goldfinger and Sir Denys Lasdun and some works by contemporary architects, including Sir Norman Foster
  • The RIBA's existing gallery spaces – Florence Hall, Gallery 1 and Gallery 2 - will continue to hold exhibitions. The RIBA also has a permanent architecture gallery and study rooms at the V&A
  • Opened in 1934, the RIBA's HQ building was the result of a competition-winning entry by the architect George Grey Wornum. With its rich applied decoration and sculpture, it is a classic and stunning example of early 1930s Art Deco architecture
  • Carmody Groarke was chosen to design the new gallery after competitive interviews with the five past recipients of Building Design's Young Architect of the Year Award
  • The Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and its members. Visit www.architecture.com and follow us on Twitter

 

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