Big Ben’s Historic Restoration Earns Nomination for UK’s Top Architecture Prize
A Landmark Recognition for an Iconic Restoration
The recently completed £80m restoration of Big Ben has been nominated for the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize.
The extensive restoration project has successfully returned the clock tower to its former glory while modernising its facilities for the 21st century. This achievement is particularly significant given the tower’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Restoration Highlights and Discoveries
One of the most remarkable discoveries during the restoration was that the clock faces’ long-assumed ‘traditional’ black colour was actually accumulated soot and grime. Beneath decades of London’s industrial pollution lay the original vibrant Prussian blue, which has now been restored to reflect its true Victorian heritage.
The judges have praised the restoration as “a veritable masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship,” though the project did significantly exceed its original budget estimates.
Technical Achievements and Modernization
The restoration brought the tower up to modern standards with improved health and safety measures, enhanced workspaces for the clock team, new fire safety systems, and the installation of a lift for emergency evacuations. Energy-efficient LED lighting has been implemented throughout, including the Ayrton Light at the tower’s summit.
According to RIBA president Chris Williamson, the nominated projects demonstrate “architecture’s unique ability to address some of the most urgent challenges of our time,” offering “a hopeful vision for the future” where architecture strengthens communities and shapes a more sustainable built environment.
Future Impact and Accessibility
In a historic development, Elizabeth Tower has opened its doors to international visitors for the first time in its 164-year history. Previously restricted to UK residents through MP applications, tourists from around the world can now book tours to climb the 334 steps and experience Big Ben’s majesty firsthand.
