Houses of Parliament

Video of the Week: Why £7bn is needed restore the Houses of Parliament

  • 14 Dec 2015

As 9 bidders progressed to the next stage of procurement for programme management and design roles on the restoration of the Palaces of Westminster, we look at the video series that explain why £7bn is needed to preserve this most iconic of UK heritage buildings.

Houses of ParliamentSince the Palace was built in the mid-1800s, many parts have never undergone major renovation, and the heating, ventilation, water, drainage and electrical systems are now extremely antiquated – some of the pipes are more than 100 years old.

Since the Palace was built in the mid-1800s, many parts have never undergone major renovation, and the heating, ventilation, water, drainage and electrical systems are now extremely antiquated – some of the pipes are more than 100 years old.

View the Palace of Westminster video series that gives a rare, behind the scenes look at the state of the Palace and the challenges facing those tasked with maintaining it.

Fire at the Houses of ParliamentFind out more about the condition of the building including:

  • Making the building watertight: Repairing and replacing the 160-year-old cast iron roof and drainage systems
  • Preventing catastrophic system failure: The Palace’s failing heating, ventilation, water and electrical systems and the challenges of asbestos removal
  • Saving the stonework from irreversible decay: How the effects of pollution and lack of maintenance are damaging some of the Palace’s centuries-old stonework and carvings
  • Preserving the historic windows: The Palace’s bronze windows contain some of the most impressive and intricate hand painted and stained glass work of its time. But now, all 3000 are in need of repair
  • Protecting the Palace from fire: The challenges of updating the Palace’s antiquated fire safety systems to meet modern day standards

The video below sets the scene and explains why the £7bn restoration of the Palaces of Westminster is needed to preserve this most iconic of UK heritage buildings, beginning with the challenges of updating the Palace’s antiquated fire safety systems to modern day standards’

Find out more about the Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme

Leave a Reply

Latest news

Altro

Altro distils style and performance at English Spirit

English Spirit Distillery has used an extensive package of Altro products front and back of house, in their new visitor centre café, shop and viewing area for the working distillery.

Posted in Articles, Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Washrooms, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Floors, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Kitchens, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Walls

Abloy

Abloy UK creates bespoke locking solution for Secure Information Boxes

Abloy UK has supplied The Safety Letterbox Company Ltd with a bespoke Sentry CL811 Camlock for use in its Secure Information Boxes, assisting life safety and complying with new regulations and legislation for high rise buildings.

Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Case Studies, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection

CUPA

CUPA: CUPACLAD enhances hotel aesthetics with a creative natural slate façade

Situated at the northern edge of a newly developed retail park near Bristol, the Abbey Wood Travelodge was conceived as part of the company’s new Budget-Luxe line of hotels – it features CUPACLAD, from CUPA PIZARRAS.

Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Facades, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Walls

Origin