Home

What is BALT?

The British Architectural Library Trust (BALT) is an independent American non-profit organization founded in 2013 in support of the Library and Collections of the Royal Institute of British Architects (the RIBA), the foremost architectural library in the world.

Poolside Reflection, 1984 – Ben Johnson / RIBA Collections

Brilliant collections…

The RIBA Collections bring together over four million objects, in a broad range of media with a shared narrative that describe how buildings, communities and civilizations are designed and constructed. From 15th-century books and drawings, to photographs documenting architecture around the world today, the collections offer global scope and rich historical detail.  

White House, 72 Downage, Hendon, London, 1936 – Simmons & Grellier / RIBA Collections

Accessible from anywhere…

The Collections are located in London, England, at RIBA headquarters at 66 Portland Place and at the Victoria & Albert Museum.  Images are accessible online through RIBApix on the Library website.

Battersea ‘A’ Power Station, London, 1934 – John Maltby / RIBA Collections

Dedicated support…

BALT provides support to the Collections in multiple areas including research, cataloguing, conservation and digitization. BALT’s activities also include programming and cultural activities, exhibitions, educational programs and scholarly exchanges.

Henrietta House Wooden Maquettes / RIBA Collections