Adapting an existing building is difficult as you never know what you may uncover, and this is nowhere truer than with the decision to renovate the creaking Victorian hulk that is the Houses of Parliament. 

Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin’s monument to democracy was deemed state-of-the-art on its opening, but over 140 years later, it is no longer safe or fit for purpose. Throughout the past century minor upgrade work was done, but this piecemeal approach was inadequate. The building is now potentially dangerous due to lack of regular and thorough upgrading. 

National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt warned a committee of peers and MPs last month that the estimated £4bn cost of the refurbishment will have to increase to effectively deliver the essential repair work. 

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