Architecture

The British Architectural Library at the Royal Institute of British Architects is one of the most important collection of architectural materials in the world. The collections include books and journals, drawings, archives and photographs covering architectural law and practice, architectural history, building types, the architecture of specific countries or regions, sustainability and town planning.

The RIBA Collections are free to access and open to all.

NB: RIBA Library and Collections services update, September 2025 

The RIBA Library is now open at the new interim locations:

• The London Archives in Clerkenwell (Mon-Thurs – no appointment needed) – for the journals collection, the biographical files and a small selection of quick reference books and indexes
• New store at Crown Fine Art, Stockwell (Thurs & Fri, by appointment only) – for the Photographs collection and the main books collection, including our Early Works books (pre-1840) and bound pamphlets.

Scanning service has also now resumed.

 Information about access to the new sites is given on the RIBA website: https://www.architecture.com/contact-and-visit/riba-library

Access to the RIBA Drawings & Archives collections at the V&A Museum remains as normal.

The Library will return to 66 Portland Place, once the refurbishment is complete in 2027/2028

 If you have any queries, please contact library@riba.org.

RIBA Architecture Study Room at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)

The V&A and RIBA work in partnership to provide access to the world's most comprehensive architectural resource. The collection includes over 1 million drawings, 1.5 million photographs and 1.5 million archives, including architectural diaries, travel journals, letters, notebooks, essays, papers and office archives.

Did you know you can make use of other London university libraries? And use other Higher Education libraries during the summer vacation period via the SCONUL scheme? This could be particularly helpful if you live in another part of London or usually return home to another part of the UK outside of term time.

For a full list of access arrangements and details of what you'll need to do to apply, visit the UCL web pages about other libraries.