Wonders & blunders

My wonder is the Houses of Parliament. Every time I drive past, it takes my breath away. I went inside there recently and the designs and architecture are just fantastic. It is amazing when you realise the amount of time that it took to build. It is even more awe-inspiring to think they didn’t have any machinery back then. It was literally manual work and it is such an achievement to have created a building of such beauty. In a way it represents Britain. We are one of the smallest countries, yet one of the strongest. This immensely powerful building reflects our proud history.

When the Millennium Dome was first built, it was a huge blunder. I thought it was a monstrosity of a building and a huge waste of taxpayers’ money. Architecturally it does stick out in my mind as being a mistake. Maybe it is like the emperor’s new clothes. Although, I have to say they have managed to turn it into a successful entertainment venue. I went there recently to see the Spice Girls and I had a fantastic time. So, I am impressed with the turnaround the building has made in recent times. I suppose I would see it as a reformed blunder. I also think the Gherkin is pretty ugly. It’s a monstrosity and it looks like a big fat cigar.

A palace to be proud of

The Palace of Westminster contains nearly 1,200 rooms, 100 staircases and more than two miles of corridors. It was built over 30 years, beginning in 1834. The architects were Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin. The design incorporated Westminster Hall and the remains of St Stephen's Chapel.

Emperor’s new clothes

The Millennium Dome was designed by Richard Rogers Partnership and completed in 1999, just in time for the millennium celebrations.