RIBA Trust

I don’t think the building is generally open to the public but can be booked for events and conferences.
When I read an article about an exhibition about brutalist architecture on display here, I grabbed the chance. The opening event included lectures and live displays, but the main attraction is the actual «Brutalist Playground» which is installed on the ground floor. Well worth a visit — still going till 16 August!
… and the perfect excuse to have a look around a truly beautiful building — what else would you expect from the Royal Institute of British Architects!

I went to a Camerjam event here on mobile publishing last week, and remembered why it’s such a nice place to hold a one-​day conference.
Walking there from my work also put into perspective how close it is, just ten minutes up from Oxford Circus.
The surrounding buildings are grand and very regal, so stepping into RIBA, it’s no surprise that the décor continues this vibe.
The café there is small but perfectly formed (pricey though), definitely a good place to go and work for the morning.
The event I was attending was held downstairs, in the larger theatre with a stage and side room for tea/​coffee. WiFi was abundant and the hall was large enough with very comfortable seats.
Both the screen on stage was ample size (though there seemed to be a few technical hitches in terms of the presenter’s remote) and the room itself was nice and cool.
I’d definitely look forward to heading back there for another event, and would similarly recommend it to someone searching for a venue.

The RIBA institute is a trust that manages the activity within the profession of Architecture. The building stands tall within the very elegant Portland place along with many foreign embassy offices nearby.
The headquarters has galleries, a comprehensive library and bookshop, the RIBA bar, café and restaurant, educational programmes and a photograph collection.
For the autumn they have decided to highlight Le Corbusier and his works. So from talks and discussions to seminars and presentations everything possibly close to this great architect will be dissected and learnt.
Architects and non-​architects welcome aboard.