THE CHALLENGE OF ADAPTING A HISTORIC BUILDING FOR MODERN USE
GIBRALTAR PARLIAMENT: THE CHALLENGE OF ADAPTING A HISTORIC BUILDING FOR MODERN USE Historical background The building which houses the Gibraltar Parliament was erected by public subscription in 1817 to serve initially as the Exchange and Commercial Library. The reason for this was that civilians, however eminent or wealthy, were excluded from the rival Gibraltar Garrison Library which was the exclusive domain of the military establishment in the territory. Its neo-classical, architectural style and facades provide, even to date, an elegant backdrop to one of Gibraltar’s busiest streets and public squares. In 1951, the building was refurbished to host the newly established Legislative Council. It later became home to the Gibraltar House of Assembly under the 1969 Constitution and is now the seat of the Gibraltar Parliament since the enactment of the 2006 Constitution. The area around the building has played an important role in the local community, as a place of public gatherings, commercial transactions and as a meeting place to discuss the news of the day in a prominent and central site. The building’s location and the fact that it faces one of Gibraltar’s few public squares in the town centre has meant that for centuries, it has long been the focus point for numerous public meetings and political rallies. These included a protest for a higher proportion of elected Members in the City Council held in 1934, as well as more
recent events such as for those in solidarity with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement in 2020. Internal refurbishment Unfortunately, a lack of investment over decades resulted in this key building appearing tired and dated, making it difficult for its dedicated staff to meet the growing demands of our society. In 2011, on the election of the current Government, the refurbishment and reform of the Parliament building was placed firmly on the agenda. In 2013, the Gibraltar Government set new targets and a programme for this to happen. The first phase consisted of upgrading the office facilities, the debating Chamber and the public gallery. Modern equipment and furniture brought this building into the 21st century without impairing its classical elegance. The works, which replaced a tired and worn internal décor with a more modern design and furnishing also provided better thermal insulation. It was decided to take advantage of this to offer ‘live’ sessions of Parliament for the first time on television through new video streaming facilities which are open to all. This was an important first step in making Parliamentary session more accessible to the public. The internal works provided a better environment for Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, the press and the visiting public.
“The internal works provided a
better environment for Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, the press and the visiting public ... The refurbished Gibraltar Parliament will be a unique blend of the old and the new.”
Mr Carl Viagas is a Projects Director at the Government of Gibraltar.
402 | The Parliamentarian | 2021: Issue Four | 100 years of publishing
