For the primary time in over 25 years, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has unveiled a refreshed identification that reimagines how the organisation presents itself to the world, whereas staying true to its wealthy heritage.
The brand new model, developed in collaboration with London-based studio Johnson Banks, goals to modernise RIBA’s picture and sharpen its voice because it approaches its 2 hundredth birthday in 2034.
The rebrand varieties a part of RIBA’s Home of Structure initiative, a once-in-a-generation funding that features upgrading its digital platforms, unlocking entry to its world-class architectural collections, and restoring its historic headquarters on Portland Place. Alongside the forthcoming launch of a redesigned RIBA.org, the brand new model goals to make the institute extra accessible, outward-looking and related to the worldwide architectural group.
RIBA president Chris Williamson described the transfer as a “highly effective assertion of intent”. He says: “The rebrand might be greater than only a new look; it will likely be a robust assertion of our intent as an outward-looking, purposeful cultural institute.
“RIBA should stay related and important to architects and practices throughout the globe, develop its membership amongst these early of their careers, and advocate on behalf of its members.”
Johnson Banks, identified for revitalising establishments such because the Science Museum, Virgin Atlantic, and Educate First, led RIBA by way of months of session and debate with its members to outline what the organisation stands for immediately. The ensuing visible identification strikes a stability that’s each respectful of RIBA’s legacy and unafraid to embrace the longer term.
At its coronary heart sits a daring new typographic emblem, impressed by the spatial play of structure, which refers back to the relationships between partitions, rooms, and openings. The design reinstates RIBA’s historic purple as a main color, whereas the acquainted crest survives in a extra refined, simplified kind as a delicate sign-off relatively than a dominating emblem. The strategy balances fashionable readability and a delicate nod to custom.
For Michael Johnson, artistic director and founding father of Johnson Banks, it was a fragile act of evolution relatively than revolution. He says: “Rebranding an esteemed organisation equivalent to RIBA needs to be performed with nice care, making certain it stays related and resonant in a altering world, whereas additionally acknowledging and respecting its historical past.
“That is why we have introduced key property – like its well-known purple – to the forefront and retained the historic crest. But it surely wanted a extra fashionable model, and clearer voice – and that is expressed in its new narrative and a daring new logotype that places the RIBA title entrance and centre.”
It is a transient many studios would possibly strategy with trepidation, however for Johnson Banks, the problem was certainly one of translation. You may’t underestimate the problem of taking an establishment steeped in a lot heritage and expressing its function in a digital age. Regardless of this, the ensuing system guarantees to work seamlessly throughout internet, print and environmental settings, with a assured tone of voice that speaks to each long-standing members and new generations of architects.
RIBA’s chair of the board, Jack Pringle, calls it “daring, artistic and in-step with the digital world”. He provides: “It has been over 1 / 4 of a century since RIBA final thought-about its model – with its 2 hundredth birthday approaching, it is the proper time to place our model for the longer term.
“It is vital that we modernise and adapt to the ever-evolving digital world and be match for the twenty first century.”
Past its aesthetic, the rebrand carries a deeper message about group and function. RIBA’s new mission assertion – to advance structure for all, by constructing the world’s best group of architects – indicators an intent to widen participation and make structure extra inclusive. It reframes the institute not merely as a governing physique, however as a cultural residence for anybody shaping the constructed surroundings.
As the brand new identification rolls out throughout the approaching months, its success will hinge on how properly it helps RIBA join past its membership to college students, practitioners, and the general public. The clear traces, acquainted purple, and reinvigorated voice are a assured signal that RIBA is able to transfer from legacy to longevity.
In any case, few establishments attain two centuries with out studying tips on how to stability previous and future. RIBA’s new look proves it is nonetheless very a lot designing for the following hundred years.
