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The practice has won the competition to oversee the “comprehensive refurbishment” of Portland Place, the institute’s Grade II* listed building, in 2022. At the time, the work had a nominal budget of £20 million.
Explaining the latest £85m figure, a RIBA spokesman said the House of Architecture scheme also incorporates work on its collections and digital technologies, adding:[The total budget] The total cost of the works associated with 66 Portland Place is £58.8 million, including all project costs including contingencies, inflation and expenses.
Details outlined ahead of a planning application later this year include internal and external upgrades to the 90-year-old George Gray Wornum-designed building. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) calls the project a “house of architecture”.
The RIBA said Benedetti’s proposals include creating a new entrance on Weymouth Street fully accessible from street level, with a “destination cafe” with display space for models and drawings, alongside Covered sidewalk seating.
A separate Treasures Room will showcase highlights of the RIBA collection, increasing the number of gallery spaces from one to two.
RIBA members will also Benefit from improved event spaces, a redesigned library, collaborative workspaces and a restored members room on the original 1934 site. The RIBA store will be relocated under plans to become more public-facing.
The introduction of large lifts at Portland Place will make all 28 floors of the building accessible, many of which are currently only accessible by stairs.
RIBA board chairman Jack Pringle described the proposals as ““This is a once-in-a-lifetime undertaking” and “a transformative and urgently needed plan to ensure RIBA’s future prosperity and sustainability”.
He continued: “Much of the work we do is not optional – the systems at 66 Portland Place have reached the end of their useful life. The building is not intended for general use and has solid walls, single glazing, gas fire protection The system is unsustainable.
“The reimagined RIBA will be able to better support our members and show the world the value architects bring to tackling the planet’s biggest challenges. It will also ensure we are able to support our members by sharing this unique work as widely as possible. body of knowledge to fulfill our responsibilities as custodians of one of the world’s greatest architectural collections.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: ‘Proposed investments in our collections, upgrades to our digital platforms and improvements to our landmark building at 66 Portland Place are vital […] We want the RIBA to be at the heart of the global architecture community, where important ideas are developed and shared – including how we design a low-carbon future.
Benedetti came ahead of David Kohn Architects, Belfast-based Hall McKnight, Roz Barr Architects and Freehaus in partnership with Donald Insall Associates and IDK following a competition run by the RIBA.
Hugh Broughton Architects and Feix&Merlin in partnership with Haptic Architects & Heritage Architecture complete the shortlist.
Former RIBA chairman Simon Allford pledged at his first council meeting as chairman in 2021 to “appropriately invest in this building” to make it an “exemplary net zero carbon facility” and “allow A better place for the public, government and ourselves to engage’.
Before stepping down as president in August, he told The AJ that the plan was “not a vanity project; We have no choice.”
Completed in 1934, 66 Portland Place has undergone progressive upgrades throughout its history, most recently with the addition of a Hayhurst & Co-designed learning center and a Carmody Groarke-designed gallery.
Funding for the Building Homes scheme has yet to be confirmed, with fundraising and sponsorships being considered.
RIBA’s accounts for the year to December 2022, published last year, showed a trade deficit of £6.3m. This follows deficits of £8m and £8.1m in 2021 and 2020 respectively.
The initial phase of the overhaul of 66 Portland Place is scheduled to close during construction, which is expected to take around three years.
However, the building will The RIBA said it “remains fully open to visitors and taking venue bookings until at least next year”.
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