{"id":701887,"date":"2026-07-20T17:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T17:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/701887\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T17:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T17:08:15","slug":"riba-needs-whole-new-organization-for-museum-and-new-hq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/701887\/","title":{"rendered":"RIBA needs ‘whole new organization’ for museum and new HQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Speaking at The Lighterman in King\u2019s Cross on Thursday (16 July), the Studio Pringle founder outlined \u00a3100 million plans for the House of Architecture programme of upgrades to RIBA\u2019s headquarters, technology and a museum for its collections.<\/p>\n

Pringle explained that an expanded programme of public events and activities when 66 Portland Place reopens from 2028 \u2013 and a planned \u2018museum of architecture\u2019 from 2032 \u2013 will require \u2018a whole new organisation\u2019 as a result of significantly increasing its public and cultural programme.<\/p>\n

\u2018We need to set up a whole new organisation,\u2019 said Pringle. \u2018We\u2019ve always had programmes and awards and events, but this is going to be a whole new order. [The cultural programme is] going to at least double in size.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018We need to set up a whole new organisation\u2019<\/p>\n

The House of Architecture is the RIBA\u2019s umbrella programme, bringing together the \u00a358.8 million, Benedetti-designed refurbishment of its headquarters at 66 Portland Place, an \u00a326.2 million overhaul of its digital infrastructure and member systems, and the creation of a Museum of Architecture for the institute\u2019s nationally significant collections \u2013 which could bring the total cost to at least \u00a3100 million.<\/p>\n

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66 Portland Place shop proposal \u2013 Alex Cochrane Architects<\/p>\n

Source: Alex Cochrane Architects <\/p>\n

Commenting on the future new organisation, Pringle said. \u2018There needs to be some sort of oversight and steer, and I think that will come from a combination of the executive and the board.\u2019<\/p>\n

On the long-term costs for the House of Architecture, Pringle acknowledged that operating Portland Place and an architecture museum would increase expenditure and that \u2018running a museum is going to be a bit more expensive\u2019.<\/p>\n

However, he said the House of Architecture capital programme was not being funded through members\u2019 subscriptions and that the RIBA was expecting to generate additional income from venue hire, events and programmes to help meet future operating costs. The institute is also actively looking for funding partners internationally, Pringle said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Running a museum is going to be a bit more expensive\u2019<\/p>\n

The remarks came shortly after Pringle discussed the RIBA\u2019s current staffing levels, saying the institute employed around 230 people. He said headcount had fallen by around 80 during his time as chair as part of efforts to balance the organisation\u2019s finances, adding that he would \u2018always like it to go down a bit\u2019.<\/p>\n

He added that automation of manual administrative processes could reduce staffing requirements in some areas, although those savings could be offset by the demands of running House of Architecture\u2019s expanded programme.<\/p>\n

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66 Portland Place 3D section by Purcell<\/p>\n

Source: Purcell<\/p>\n

Outlining more details about the planned \u2018game-changing\u2019 museum for the first time, Pringle said the RIBA was \u2018negotiating on this contract right now\u2019 for a central London site, \u2018which is really really exciting\u2019.<\/p>\n

He continued. \u2018It will be on that \u201cdaisy chain\u201d between the Soane Museum, the New London Museum, and the Barbican. So it\u2019s actually going to be on a cultural mile [and] It will house the vast majority of our collection.\u2019<\/p>\n

Asked by a member of the audience if a competition would be held for designing the space, Pringle responded by saying: \u2018We held competitions for all the other architectural appointments because we wanted it to be as open as possible, and I think we\u2019ve got five architects working on 66 Portland Place, so that\u2019s great. I think something special is going to happen in the museum \u2013 and I can\u2019t tell you what it is.\u2019<\/p>\n

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66 Portland Place caf\u00e9 restaurant proposal by Gundry and Ducker<\/p>\n

Source: Gundry and Ducker <\/p>\n

The AJ revealed last year that RIBA was looking for a space in London to establish a Museum of Architecture<\/a> to showcase its collection to the public in a space away from Portland Place, taking inspiration from inspiration from\u00a0V&A East Storehouse<\/a>, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which put the V&A\u2019s collections on display.<\/p>\n

Earlier in his presentation, Pringle described how 92-year-old 66 Portland Place had reached the end of its operational life, with leaking roofs, failing services, asbestos, poor accessibility and outdated environmental performance when he entered the institute as president in 2005-27, and later as chair of the board in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u2018Something special is going to happen in the museum\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018It looked like Fort Knox,\u2019 he said, adding that RIBA had even installed a \u2018Welcome\u2019 sign on the front doors in an attempt to make the building appear more inviting before it closed for refurbishment last year.<\/p>\n

When the RIBA\u2019s \u2018Swedish Modernist\u2019 HQ does reopen, Pringle said its \u2018architecture caf\u00e9\u2019 would rival RSHPS\u2019s River Caf\u00e9 as a destination and feature a rotating selection of models on display to the public. On the front of the building, a three-storey LED screen is being considered to display images of the UK\u2019s best buildings and RIBA award-winners.<\/p>\n

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66 Portland Place Library proposal \u2013 Purcell<\/p>\n

Source: Purcell<\/p>\n

Internal restoration work will see the return of long-lost fabrics such as curtains designed by Miriam Wornum, of the husband and wife team that designed 66 Portland Place, which the RIBA and its architects are having recreated by the same firm that produced the originals.<\/p>\n

Pringle said: \u2018The bit I like most \u2026 You might all be familiar with the Aston Webb Room. That room lined with really dark, manly leather, old men smoking cigars or making important decisions. That isn\u2019t dark leather. That was white kid [leather], and it had lime green curtains with tassels etc. It was the most feminine room in the RIBA.<\/p>\n

\u2018The femininity is definitely coming back.\u2019<\/p>\n

This story was updated to emphasise that RIBA\u2019s cultural offer and programming could \u2018double in size\u2019.<\/p>\n

AJ100 Club sponsors<\/p>\n

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