ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
Royal Institute of British Architects was founded in 1834 and is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession. Originally called the Institute of British Architects in London, its founder members were several prominent architects including Philip Hardwick, Thomas Allom, William Donthorne, Thomas Leverton Donaldson, and John Buonarotti Papworth. It was awarded a Royal Charter in 1837, becoming the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, dropping the reference to London in 1892. Based in Portland Place, London it provides support for over 40,000 members worldwide in the form of training, technical services, publications, and events, and set standards for the education of architects, both in the UK and overseas. The RIBA works with government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes, and new communities. Its annual award schemes recognize outstanding architecture and culminate in the RIBA Stirling Prize. Its architect artist members include John Seymour Lucas and Peter Browning Dunham.