ICE recommendations on Palace of Westminster
On 15 Sept 2016, the Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster accepted the Institution of Civil Engineers’(ICE) recommendations for the historic building’s redevelopment.
They concluded that the lowest risk, most cost-effective and time-efficient option was for all MPs, Peers and staff to move out of the Palace in one single phase while works were carried out.
Appointed in July 2015, the committee is co-chaired by Chris Grayling MP and Baroness Stowell of Beeston.
Responding to the Committee’s call for evidence, ICE provided its expertise through a written submission, as well as calling David Hirst CEng FICE, the chair of ICE’s Management Panel, to give evidence in person.
Hirst suggested that a full decant of occupants offered best value for public money. He told the committee that "giving clear access to a range of contractors over a period of time offers the simplest, best and lowest risk option."
ICE's submission offered evidence on the scope of the work as well as how the work should be delivered. Amongst the recommendations were to ensure that the project is properly resourced and funded, with highly capable and experienced professionals and adequate contingency provisions.
He also said that, “a partial decant would include quite a lot of working around existing activities. You would end up taking up a lot more space to allow existing activities to carry on. It would be quite difficult to co-ordinate and more expensive as a result.
“Continuing maintenance on a larger scale without decanting, we would never see the end of. It is beyond the working lifetime of the people involved and the scope of works would necessarily change during the lifetime of that scale of works."
He warned that the project needed a clear vision early on, in order to realise the opportunities that were on offer.
The joint committee agreed, concluding that the Palace 'faces an impending crisis which we cannot responsibly ignore'. They stated that there was ‘a substantial and growing risk of either a single, catastrophic event, such as a major fire, or a succession of incremental failures in essential systems which would lead to Parliament no longer being able to occupy the Palace.’
This article was originally published by ICE on 15 Sept 2016. It was written by Simon Barney.
--The Institution of Civil Engineers
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
IHBC NewsBlog
High Court rejects oral appeal against tower block decision in historic Bloomsbury
The request was for a full Judicial Review hearing against Camden Council’s approval of a 74m-high tower block in Bloomsbury.
Mayor of London and Government announce bold plans to transform Oxford Street
Plans include turning the road into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, creating a beautiful public space.
Crystal Palace Subway, for 160th anniversary
The remarkable Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway in South London begins a new era following major restoration.
National Trust brings nature back to an area twice the size of Manchester in less than a decade
The National Trust has achieved its aim of creating or restoring 25,000 hectares of priority habitat on its land by 2025.
18th-century hospital in York to become sustainable homes
A former mental health establishment founded by a Quaker in 1792 is to be converted into 120 energy-efficient homes in York.
Context 180 Released - Where Heritage and Nature Meet
The issue includes life, death, Forests, bats, landscapes and much more.
Church architecture awards 2024: now open
The National Churches Trust has announced three awards, all of which are run in partnership with the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association (EASA).
The essential sector guide includes officers' updates and a foreword by EH Chair Gerard Lemos.
Historic England opens nominations for the National Blue Plaque Scheme
The scheme is open to nominations to celebrate people from all walks of life.
Striking photos show nature reclaiming brutalist concrete
‘Brutalist Plants’ explores nature’s links to the architectural style characterised by imposing form and exposed concrete.