Parliament buildings

NOTES: The Commissioners of Woods & Works instructed Smirke to prepare a scheme for rebuilding the Houses of Parliament in October 1834. His scheme, largely a new frontage along the river to what remained of the buildings, was presented to the King, to Peel and then to the Houses of Parliament. A committee then decided to hold a competition for a more costly and extensive rebuilding and Smirke was paid for his unused design.

NOTES: Barry's design for the Houses of Parliament did not originally include a clock tower. He was asked to include one and his first designs were added in 1836. Construction began in 1843 but the tower (the Elizabeth Tower) and its clock and great bell (Big Ben) were finished in 1859.

NOTES: In this early sketch for the new Palace of Westminster Barry is working on the facade of New Palace Yard. The drawing incorporates the medieval front of Westminster Hall, while a tower second from the left marks the site of the future Big Ben. The following year, 1836, Barry won the design competition.

NOTES: In 1916 the building was destroyed by fire with the exception of the Library, a sixteen-sided structure behind the central block.