Rebuilding the Houses of Parliament : David Boswell Reid and disruptive environmentalism

Cover
Endorsement Page
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Part I The experimental phase: 1835–39
	Chapter 1 The origins of an empirical approach to design: 1832–36
		Illusions of unity
		The roots of separation between architectural and environmental strands
		Drawing on the skills of a medical doctor
		A laboratory for the practice and teaching of building science
		Reid’s hypothetical scheme for a debating chamber
		The idea of testing Reid’s concept
		A first demonstration of Reid’s principles within a physical model
		Architectural responses to the requirements of light and air
		From theory towards the experimental phase
		Notes
	Chapter 2 Reconstructing the temporary Houses of Parliament: 1835–51
		Introduction
		Reid’s experimental system in the temporary House of Commons
		Operation and maintenance under the stewardship of a scientist, 1837–51
		Intelligent control through 19th-century technology
		The Temporary House of Lords and the creation of an extended network, 1839–47
		An extended operational regime, 1839–40
		Conclusion: from theory to practice
		Notes
	Chapter 3 Testing the theory under real-life conditions
		The debating chamber as a field for experimentation
		A first public demonstration: November 1836
		First criticism inside the House
		Reid’s idea of integrated lighting system remains unrealised
		Reid’s principles challenged
		Goldsworthy Gurney’s intervention
		Evaluating the performance of Reid’s system
		The House of Lords and the challenge with sustaining a social feedback loop
		Conclusion: an emerging model of evidence-based practice
		Notes
Part II Attempted application: 1840–46
	Chapter 4 A tentative master plan for ventilating the Palace of Westminster
		The paths convergence
		The appointment of the ‘ventilator’
		Transition: embedding the cultural practices of science
		Formulating a general design concept: 1840–41
		Defending the idea of a central tower: 1841–42
		Monumental versus technical functions
		A final decision and the acknowledgement of risks
		Establishing collaborative working practices: 1841–42
		The organisational architecture of a collaborative design process
		Conclusion: a transition towards synthesis
		Notes
	Chapter 5 Reid’s original proposals for the two debating chambers: 1842–46
		From concept to implementation
		A problem of strategic planning
		A mandate for physical change
		The stack ventilation system as a driver of wider changes
		Increasing political pressure
		The ventilation system as a driver of structural intricacy
		The House of Lords and Reid’s original plan for a central air supply
		Personal and collectivist approaches to thermal comfort
		Integration of the ventilation system into the interior architecture: 1844–46
		Reconciling tensions between Reid and Barry
		Questions of architectural integration
		Contested responsibilities
		Revisiting the mechanisms of collaborations: 1845–46
		The final inquiry: 1846
		Technical feasibility of system is challenged
		The Lords’ final verdict
		Bicameral split – divisions between the Houses
		Conclusion: revisiting Reid’s role
		Notes
Part III Realisation within new borders: 1847–54
	Chapter 6 Barry’s system in the House of Lords: 1847–54
		A palimpsest of two schemes
		The anatomy of Barry’s system: 1847–54
		‘Airs from heaven’ vs ‘blasts from hell’
		Reid’s temporary shaft becomes a permanent feature: 1846–51
		Facilities management: the architect remains firmly in control
		Monitoring and control procedures
		Control regime of Barry’s system: 1847–54
		Post-occupancy history: 1847–54
		Technical adaptations: 1847–51
		The Lords’ perception of the internal environment
		System diagnosis
		Body heat and gas light
		Inquiries into treatments
		Conclusion: the end of an evolutionary path
		Notes
	Chapter 7 Towards an independent system for the House of Commons
		Introduction: implementing Reid’s principles within a confined habitat
		A new beginning
		A new scheme built on old foundations
		A return to a difficult collaboration: 1847–52
		Repurposing the Central Tower: 1847–48
		The unresolved question of the fresh-air supply
		The new second intake for the House of Commons: 1848
		The Clock Tower and the remodelling of the lower-air supply
		Finalising the interior design: March–August 1850
		Conclusion: a physical manifestation of a political decision
		Notes
Part IV Critical evaluations and adaptation: 1852–1950
	Chapter 8 Reid’s short-lived experiments in the House of Commons: 1852–54
		Introduction: studying Reid’s system in use
		Insufficient pre-occupancy trails: 1851–52
		Gathering intelligence on performance in use: 1852–54
		An unsuccessful beginning: February–March 1852
		A first formal investigation
		A second investigation
		Reid’s ventilation system under new management
		A final assessment
		Testing Gurney’s alternative ventilation system: April 1854
		Conclusion: Reid’s plan remains unrealised
		Notes
	Chapter 9 After Reid
		Introduction: stages of experimentation
		Gurney’s two systems: 1854–55
		First interventions in the House of Commons: 1866–92
		A partial departure from the hermetically-sealed environment
		Case Study 1: cooling practices in the House of Lords (1869-1937).
		A re-appraisal of the House of Lords: 1911–37
		Case study 2: a radical new concept for the House of Commons (1913–38)
		Between continuity and invention: the rebuilding of the House of Commons (1944–50)
		Conclusion: continuity of practice
		Notes
Reflections on the character of the 19th-century environmental tradition
	Fluid boundaries in an emerging cross-disciplinary field
	The engagement of MPs and the Lords in questions of environmental design
	Reconciling utilitarian science and architectural historicism
	Uncovering forgotten legacies
	Notes
Index