The Unbuilt Houses of Parliament

Dr Frank Salmon (Department of History of Art) has recently completed a substantial piece research into the early Georgian architect William Kent's public architecture, including his plans for new Houses of Parliament of the 1730s, which he believes could have left us today with a great classical riverside legislative building. As Kent's designs were unbuilt, Parliament continued to occupy medieval rooms that were destroyed by fire in 1834, thereby leading to the present neo-Gothic Houses of Parliament.

Plans are currently underway to renovate the Houses of Parliament at huge expense, and Dr Salmon suggests that we might be able to learn something from Kent, whose 80 detailed drawings not only demonstrate classical proportions, dramatic use of light and space, Corinthian columns, a central tower, and an amphitheatrical Commons, but also solidity and durability. Indeed, Kent's Treasury Building (now the Cabinet Office) and Horse Guards Building continue to fulfil their governmental roles today.

Dr Salmon's research about William Kent's architecture was recently published by Yale University Press in connection with an exhibition of Kent's work that is currently at the Bard Center, New York. The exhibition will be moving to the Victoria and Albert Museum in the spring.

To read more about Kent's unbuilt designs and Dr Salmon's research read the article on the University of Cambridge website and BBC History Extra.