Rebuilding the Houses of Parliament

Henrik Schoenefeldt has made fascinating discoveries of many hitherto unknown features of this complex system. Dr Reid produced one of the earliest forms of 'stack ventilation' which has until now been an underappreciated aspect of this remarkable building. We learn how the architecture of the palace was influenced by the ventilation system and how the architect and the 'Ventilator' as Reid was known, came to disagree to the point at which the system itself had to be divided between architect and engineer. This is a vital study of the inner workings of a building which is being analysed overall in preparation for a major programme of refitting, repair and conservation. It will be interesting to see which - if any - of Reid's original principles, either of a mechanical or natural type, explained so clearly here by Dr Schoenefeldt, could be adopted in the forthcoming programme of works. Adam Watrobski, Principal Architect of the Houses of Parliament Having been shown by Henrik Schoenefeldt at first hand several of the original flues and passageways and how they were used, I have eagerly awaited this book. It succeeds on all levels. He has investigated dozens of ventilation ducts, how they work, how they were operated, and who operated them. One of the intriguing discoveries was the surprisingly modern concept of seeking 'feedback' from MPs and Peers post-occupancy to inform how the system was functioning. The ventilation system has always been hidden because the intention was to conceal every vestige of the thousands of flues, the steam engines, fans and even the air inlets and outlets by using the glorious decorative detail covering every surface. By employing the latest BIM modelling, the original features of the system, even those parts since lost - including those for the original Commons Chamber destroyed during the Second World War - may now be fully appreciated. Dr Mark Collins, Estates Archivist at the Houses of Parliament