ABSTRACT
The only structures to survive the fire were Westminster Hall, the Cloisters of St Stephen’s, the undercroft of the Chapel of St Mary and the Jewel Tower. After the devastating fire at the old Westminster Palace in 1834, temporary provisions were hastily constructed for the Members of Parliament to continue their legislative work while preparations were made for new buildings at the site. Charles Barry will be remembered as the architect who designed the buildings for the Houses of Parliament at the new Palace of Westminster, buildings that for years to come will be seen as the essential symbol of democracy and parliamentarian rule in Great Britain. Among the first tasks for the Members of Parliament to consider after the fire of 1834 was the forming of a commission charged with organizing an architectural competition. After reviewing 97 entries, the commission announced that the competition had been won by Charles Barry.
