DESIGNS FOR THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
THE Government, it is understood, has acceded to the request of the architects that the Designs for the New Houses of Parliament, for which premiums have been awarded, shall be exhibited to the public along with the unsuccessful ones; and the use of the east wing of the New National Gallery has been liber. Ily granted to the architects for the purpose. The exhibition will, it is expected, open next week. This is as it should be.
The premium of 15001. has been awarded to Mr. CHARLES BARRY, whose design will be carried into execution. Premiums of 5001. each have been awarded also tb Mr. ROBERT HAMILTON of Glasgow, and Mr. BUCKLER and Mr. WILLIAM RAILTON of London. It was the general opinion among his professional brethren, that Mr. BARRY would be the successful candidate, from his distinguished talents, and the magnificence of his design. It bad been seen by many, and was re- cognized by one of its grand features, a tower, 170 feet high, richly decorated, which forms the centre of the façade of the River front. Mr. HAMILTON is the architect of the Exchange at Glasgow. Mr. BUCKLER is known more as an accomplished draughtsman than an ar- chitect; and Mr. RAILTON is also better known as the author of some valuable additions to STEWART'S Athens. We have, however, seen a very chaste and elegant design of his for a Cistercian monastery, in the Gothic style, which is about to be erected in Charnwood Forest, Lei- cestershire.
Mr. COCKERELL, the architect to the Bank, had been spoken of as likely to be a successful competitor. His design, however, not being strictly Elizabethan, (it would be difficult to define what is,) disquali- fied him from obtaining the premium.
It is rumoured that the building is to be given to the Government architect; but we cannot for a moment give credence to such a report. Mr. BARRY himself is eminently qualified to erect the edifice he has designed. The cost is roughly guessed at upwards of a million : but correct estimates will require several months to prepare.
Previous page
