In an announcement made as plans were submitted for its 58 million House of Architecture revamp, the RIBA said it will move into the Jerwood Centre, a self contained neo-Georgian building designed by Carden & Godfrey Architects.The 23-year-old building sits just south of the main Royal College of Physicians (RCP) building designed by Denys Lasdun, a former RIBA president, former Royal Gold Medal winner and National Theatre architect.As part of the agreement between the RIBA and the RCP, the RIBA will make use of the main RCP buildings services as well as holding the inauguration of upcoming president Chris Williamson there in September, plus other events.AdvertisementThe Jerwood Centre, which opened in 2002 as home to the RCPs education department, is located 60m south of the 61-year-old Lasdun building, which opened in 1964.Jack Pringle, the RIBAs chair of board, said: To have secured the self-contained Jerwood Centre and use of the iconic Sir Denys Lasdun-designed RCP building in one of Londons most beautiful parks is exceptional.This ensures we can continue to deliver for members and provide an excellent temporary base for our teams only a few minutes walk from Portland Place.The RCP agreement comes after the submission of the planning application for the Bendetti-designed overhaul of 66 Portland Place at the end of last month, as the AJ reported yesterday.The retrofit and refurbishment of the central London building is part of a wider 85 million investment in the RIBAs headquarters, collections and technology. However, the RIBA has not yet provided an update on plans for an off-site collections facility away from 66 Portland Place.AdvertisementThe RIBAs library and collections access services are due to close on 10 April ahead of a full decant from its 66 Portland Place headquarters at the end of August. The institution is due to close its doors to visitors from the end of May.In the meantime, some of the four million items in the RIBAs collection will be accessible at the London Archives in the Square Mile, as part of a deal with the City of London.RIBA chief executive officer Valerie Vaughan-Dick said the RIBA had considered other locations but that the move to the RCP would ensure as little disruption as possible to our services for members, as well as staff, and those wanting to learn about the transformative power of architecture.She added: Having made enquiries with several membership bodies, royal colleges and cultural institutions, Im positive weve secured a fantastic temporary home at the Jerwood Centre for our staff and invited guests in this agreement with the Royal College of Physicians.Vaughan-Dick said yesterday that submission of the Benedetti scheme represented the next step in our House of Architecture transformative programme that will focus on RIBAs architectural collections, upgrades to digital technology and sensitive, essential refurbishment and restoration of 66 Portland Place in London to make it more accessible, functional, sustainable and welcoming.Support has been clear for the scheme and our overall House of Architecture ambitions. Feedback from our consultations has been supportive of the proposed internal improvements and external aspects and has seen us take into consideration some adjustments from the original proposals.Catherine Powell, interim chief executive at the Royal College of Physicians, said: We are pleased to partner with the Royal Institute of British Architects by welcoming them to the Jerwood Centre during the refurbishment of their headquarters. This collaboration feels particularly fitting, given that our Grade I-listed building was designed by former RIBA president Sir Denys Lasdun. Source:RIBAVisualisation of Benedetti's House of Architecture plans (Nov 2024)