Deal follows last year’s Northern Estate Programme win

BDP has beaten three others to work on the multi-billion pound contract to refurbish the Palace of Westminster.

The architect was named today by the Houses of Parliament restoration and renewal panel for the work, seeing off competition from Allies and Morrison, Foster + Partners and HOK.

It is a second major coup for the firm on the scheme after it won the lead design role on the £500m revamp of MPs’ offices in Westminster, known as the Northern Estate Programme last November.

This will see a number of buildings restored while £4bn restoration works on the Palace of Westminster take place.

The latest deal will see the practice provide architectural and building design services alongside consultant CH2M which has been confirmed as the winner of the programme, project and cost management services job.

“These contracts will provide for a new round of medium-term M&E work, to ensure that the Palace remains safe and habitable beyond 2020.

“The work will also include detailed exploration of the condition of the building, a building-wide security strategy, planning for a major programme of asbestos removal, and fire safety improvements,” the awarding panel added.

BDP architect director Tim Leach said: “It’s an enormous privilege for the practice to be entrusted with helping safeguard the Palace of Westminster, this international symbol of democracy and our society’s shared values.”

And Jonathan Baker, managing director of the National Governments client sector at CH2M, said: “We are honoured to be working in collaboration with the restoration and renewal team to help preserve and enhance the use of the Palace for future generations.”

In March, MPs on the public accounts committee (PAC) urged Parliament to “get on with” the revamp of the grade I listed Palace of Westminster, warning any delay will only add to the cost and risks.

Last year a joint committee of MPs and peers representing both Houses recommended a full move out of MPs and peers lasting six years to make way for essential repair and renovation works to the palace.

The PAC said this plan was “the most economical, effective and efficient choice” and warned that doing nothing over the crumbling state of the buildings was not an option as they were in an “extreme state of disrepair with the risk of a catastrophic failure high and growing”.

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