Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal
- Location
- London, UK
- Client
- Houses of Parliament
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Acoustics
- Building Services Engineering
- Civil & Structural Engineering
- Design Management
- Digital Design
- Inclusive Design
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Lighting
- Sustainability
- Town Planning
The Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme has been established to tackle the significant work that needs to be done to protect and preserve the heritage of the Palace of Westminster and ensure it can continue to serve as home to the UK Parliament in the 21st century.
The Grade I listed palace dates from the mid-1800s and is now one of the most iconic and significant buildings in the world, and forms part of the UNESCO Westminster World Heritage Site.
Many features and systems have never undergone major renovation, and the heating, ventilation, water, drainage and electrical systems are extremely antiquated.
BDP was awarded the full interdisciplinary contract for client advisory services to help ensure the safe and secure future of the building. Restoration work will include repairing and replacing the palace's mechanical and electrical services, fire safety improvements, the removal of asbestos plus unnecessary accretions, and stone repairs to the external and internal fabric of the palace. The building will be made fully accessible with new educational facilities provided.
The BDP Planning team has been central to the delivery of a full multidisciplinary contract for the restoration and renewal programme to help ensure the safe and secure future of the Grade I Palace of Westminster. Leading on the planning strategy to inform and underpin the proposals, the team have worked closely with the design team and key stakeholders to navigate the balance between protecting the significance of the Grade I listed building and UNESCO World Heritage Site and ensuring that the building is fit-for purpose as the home of a 21st Century Parliament. This has included extensive engagement with Historic England, the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service, and Westminster City Council, building strong working relationships with officers across these organisations.