Known as Project Poseidon, a bold new proposal from Gensler for a temporary floating UK House of Parliament has come forward. To be placed upon the Thames alongside the Palace of Westminster while the historic buildings within the parliamentary complex undergo millions of pounds in renovations, the project depicted in recent renderings may cause passersby to imagine a Bond villain headquarters rather than a seat of government. 

Project Poseidon, as it would appear alongside the Palace of Westminster, image via Gensler

Proposed by Gensler as a viable alternative to what will undoubtedly be a massive cost for the temporary relocation of the Palace of Westminster's parliamentarians and hundreds of support staff, Project Poseidon could be implemented for a fraction of the cost of most alternatives. The large, mostly wood-framed structure set to float upon the Thames would be little more than a fancy oversized houseboat, albeit a houseboat complete with state of the art parliamentary chambers, office spaces, and security systems.

Poseidon Project, close-up view, image via Gensler

Facing a minimum of six years worth of extensive rehabilitation and renovation efforts, the Palace of Westminster will be out of order for more than half a decade once work has begun, thus necessitating a temporary home which can serve the needs of British Parliamentarians while the important work of running the nation continues. The Project Poseidon proposal has done an admirable job of checking as many boxes as possible, as the temporary structure was designed to sustain all of the regular daily functions of government while also introducing some irregularities due to its relatively diminutive size, such as the temporary co-location of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and their respective staff. 

Project Poseidon, Map showing navigational exclusion zones and channels, image via Gensler

Viewed in the above diagram, the Poseidon Project would sit snugly against the bank of the Thames. Its slender profile would allow for an additional navigational exclusion zone and channel, which would provide the temporary House of Parliament with the security it requires without disturbing the passage of ships along the river. The design of the futuristic floating structure takes its inspiration from the magnificent hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall, which dates back to the 14th century, when the original building was commissioned by King Richard II in 1393. Designed to be 250 metres in length, the Poseidon Project would be made of a high-tech, wood-framed structure and supported by a series of steel beams, an arrangement that allows for nearly 100,000 square feet of usable space within the canopied structure. Gensler predicts the entire project could be up and running in as little as three years, as the structure would be built off-site in three separate sections, and then be floated down the river to their final resting place and assembled, outfitted for their purpose, and occupied. 

SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as more details come forward. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.