Buildings of particular historical or architectural interest

Tender description

The works being tendered are part of the final phase of the Westminster Hall Conservation Project and are comprised of 3 distinct packages of work. Westminster Hall is a Grade I listed building and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The unique 14th century hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe. Measuring 20,7 by 73,2 metres it was commissioned in 1393 by Richard II, and is considered a masterpiece of design. All works undertaken to the building and adjacent Palace must therefore be executed by experienced specialists and with the utmost care. The 1st package of work comprises repairs to the external lantern to bring it back into a good state of repair and undertake works that will require minimal maintenance in the long term, by replacing the existing materials and details with those that meet modern construction standards. It is proposed that the lead work, interior linings and timber substrates to the lantern will be dismantled and re-constructed to the original design, reusing original components, repaired where necessary, as far as possible. It is expected that the repair works to the lantern are undertaken by specialists with experience in decorative lead-work. Cleaning and conservation of the internal roof timbers is the 2nd package of work included in the tender. The purpose of internal roof works is to clean the existing roof timbers using light brushing and vacuum cleaning to remove the existing dust and light debris, and to undertake conservation and repairs of the timber tracery panels at high level. It is expected that the conservation works to the timber be undertaken by a specialist with experience in the consolidation and repair of historic joinery. The 3rd package of works includes installation of a new lighting scheme and automatic fire detection with a voice alarm system in the Hall, including installation of cabling and system controls to adjacent areas of the Palace. The new lighting and fire engineering work will require new power cables to be installed in areas outside the Hall, as well as new distribution boards, controls and a new standalone voice alarm rack. Cabling will be installed in confined spaces and areas with potential contamination. Lighting will include items and components to be made by a specialist and the fire detection and voice alarm sourced via a Parliamentary Estates Directorate (PED) approved supplier. A site visit for Candidates is planned to take place. Details of the site visit will be published via the In-tend system referred to in this notice.