Elizabeth Tower wins RIBA National Award

The renovation of Elizabeth Tower by architecture studio Purcell, described as a "masterpiece in conservation and craftsmanship", has won a RIBA National Award.

One of the UK's most recognisable buildings, the Elizabeth Tower was one of 38 projects in the UK capital recognised by Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) earlier this week.

"This project is a veritable masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship," said the jury citation.

"The most comprehensive programme of works in the more than 160 years since the tower was built, it represents an astonishing achievement in upgrading and preserving this monument for the benefit of future generations."

Described as "probably the most iconic building in this year's RIBA Awards", the tower is home to the Big Ben bell and part of the Palace of Westminster.

Purcell carried out the most extensive renovation of the tower, which was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in the 19th century, in its 160-year history.

The renovation included updates to the external stonework and cast iron roof, as well as installing a lift and upgrading the building's services.

Purcell also carried out an extensive renovation of the clock mechanism.

"Climb to the top of some 350 spiral steps to the tower's main functions, and the project's achievements are fully revealed," said the jury.

"Every element of the building fabric and the clock's workings has been painstakingly examined, researched and assessed, to inform the complex programme of cleaning, repair, redecoration and renewal," it continued.

"Repairs to clock faces and the mechanism have improved the timekeeping accuracy, and the four clock faces have been lifted by replacing 1980s black paint with the original Prussian blue and gold."

The jury was impressed by the quality of the work led by Purcell to ensure that the tower was preserved for future generations.

"The preservation of such incredible skill, workmanship and material appreciation for the nation is one of the defining achievements of the project," said the awards jury.

"This went hand in hand with harnessing contemporary technologies and techniques to enable effective project coordination and implementation of more sustainable approaches, to preserve this defining symbol of British heritage for the future."

Alongside the Elizabeth Tower, Citizens House by Archio, the renovation of the Young V&A by De Matos Ryan and AOC, London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison and Blenheim Grove by Poulsom Middlehurst were among the winners of the RIBA London Awards.

The Elizabeth Tower, and the other winners, will now be considered for the Stirling Prize.

The photography is by the House of Commons.

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