Our study rooms at the Victoria & Albert Museum offer access to the drawings, archives, manuscripts, objects and artefacts in the RIBA Collections. Our collections range from 15th century drawings to new designs by practicing architects. Alongside our world class collections, you'll find knowledgeable staff and quiet study facilities, all housed within the world's leading museum of art and design.
Opening hours
Open Wednesday and Thursday, by appointment. Please email drawingsandarchives@riba.org to book.
Admission
Entry is free and everyone is welcome. You will be asked to complete a reader registration form on arrival.
The easiest route to the study rooms is via the Exhibition Road entrance of the Victoria & Albert Museum. Go through the shop and take the lift to the third floor.
Food and drinks are not permitted in the study rooms and bags must be left in the free lockers provided.
Access to materials
We ask that you request the materials you wish to consult in advance of your visit so that we can retrieve them for you. Due to the size of our collections, some items are stored offsite and may require a visit to our outstore, by prior appointment.
For access to the books, journals, and photographs in our collections, please visit the RIBA Library at 66 Portland Place, London.
Accessibility
Step-free access is available via the Exhibition Road entrance to the V&A and by lift to the third floor. Guide dogs are welcome.
Revisiting the Collections
Our items have been collected and catalogued over almost two centuries, with some items dating back to the 15th century. Some materials and descriptions contain outdated and offensive language or need further contextualising. We are working to address this and to ensure that our collections and descriptions are appropriate to our audiences today.
Photography and reprographics
Photography is permitted for most of the items in the collection for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study. Please read our photography policy before visiting.
We also offer a digitisation-on-demand service for drawings, manuscripts, photographs and material too fragile to be copied. Please contact us for further information about our reprographics services.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available to readers.
Image: 1860 sketched elevation for a decorative frieze for the South Kensington Museum (V&A), RIBA Collections.
