The London Archives and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have announced a unique collaboration that will, for the first time ever, showcase their impressive collections alongside one another.
From summer 2025, the City of London Corporation’s archives in Clerkenwell will host some of the popular items from the RIBA collections, one of the largest architectural collections in the world, alongside the archives’ collections of books, documents, manuscripts, maps, images and photographs.
The partnership will coincide with the temporary closure in April 2025 of RIBA’s renowned library to enable the refurbishment of RIBA’s London headquarters at 66 Portland Place, as part of its House of Architecture transformation programme.
The collaboration will help ensure that RIBA’s collections currently housed at Portland Place remain accessible to users, and within a short distance, during the building’s closure period.
In addition, the partnership will enable RIBA to utilise the state-of-the-art conservation and digitisation spaces at the London Archives, ensuring that vital conservation and digitisation work of RIBA’s collections can continue seamlessly during the refurbishment.
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The London Archives’ most significant documents and collections include the William Charter (c.1607); Magna Carta (1297); a property deed bearing William Shakespeare’s signature (c.1613); maps showing bomb damage to London during the Second World War; and the UK’s largest collection of filmed interviews with people affected by the HIV/ Aids pandemic of the 1980/ 1990s.
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Munsur Ali, said: “Not only will this unique partnership offer continued access to RIBA’s collections, it also represents a valuable opportunity to create new possibilities for research, learning, and public programming that showcases the richness of these collections. The team at The London Archives – arguably, one of the jewels in the City Corporation’s crown – is looking forward to working with RIBA and providing a warm welcome to its many library users next year.”
Executive Director of Architecture Programmes & Collections at RIBA, Oliver-Urquhart Irvine, said: “Our partnership with The London Archives is an exciting step towards ensuring that our invaluable collections are as widely accessible and well-cared for as possible. This collaboration is not only about preserving access to RIBA’s collections while we undertake the transformative refurbishment of 66 Portland Place, but also inspiring new discoveries and connecting more deeply with architectural professionals, researchers, students, and the public – indeed, anyone with an interest in, or passion for, architecture. Together, we will unlock exciting opportunities that showcase the dynamic interplay of architecture, history, and culture.”
The London Archives is a key part of the City’s rich and vibrant arts and culture offering.
The City Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £130m every year. The organisation manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, The London Archives, and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London.
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