Blyko reproduces historic tiles for the Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the House of Parliament, is located on the banks of the Thames in the London district of Westminster. This building, which was once a royal palace in the 11th century, is today better known as London's Parliament. The building dates from 1870 and has been in poor condition for years, which is why a major repair and renovation project was started in 2020. Before the internal renovation can start, the building must be made waterproof. This includes the replacement of the tiles and coping stones on all flat roofs. Blyko UK has been selected as the supplier to replace the 70-year-old tiles and coping stones on the higher terraces with (almost) identical ones.Because the building is of such a historic nature, In June 2021 Blyko UK was approached by the main contractor, architectural firms and the city services to see if they could reproduce tiles that matched the original tiles. Samples of the palace tiles were taken to the Netherlands, where the tiles were initially cleaned. Samples were produced based on the cleaned tile. To create the original rough appearance, river sand 0-2 and sea gravel 2-8 were used in the top layer and the tiles were shot blasted twice. After the samples were approved, the client and the main contractor visited the factory in Walsoorden to inspect the tiles they had approved.
The roofs also have a custom-made curb, 400mm long and 250mm high, in the shape of a boot, made from the same materials as the tiles. Blyko produced custom-made molds to make samples. People were also satisfied with this. Blijko UK is therefore supplying both the tiles and curbs for the project.
As security is of paramount importance at the Palace of Westminster, all deliveries are transported by vehicles fitted with tracker devices. Each vehicle can therefore be tracked on its route to Parliament.
The first phase of this beautiful project has already started and the first 1,400 m2 of tiles (40x40x4) and 700 lm coping stones have already been delivered.
Because the building is of such a historic nature, In June 2021 Blyko UK was approached by the main contractor, architectural firms and the city services to see if they could reproduce tiles that matched the original tiles. Samples of the palace tiles were taken to the Netherlands, where the tiles were initially cleaned. Samples were produced based on the cleaned tile. To create the original rough appearance, river sand 0-2 and sea gravel 2-8 were used in the top layer and the tiles were shot blasted twice. After the samples were approved, the client and the main contractor visited the factory in Walsoorden to inspect the tiles they had approved.
The roofs also have a custom-made curb, 400mm long and 250mm high, in the shape of a boot, made from the same materials as the tiles. Blyko produced custom-made molds to make samples. People were also satisfied with this. Blijko UK is therefore supplying both the tiles and curbs for the project.
As security is of paramount importance at the Palace of Westminster, all deliveries are transported by vehicles fitted with tracker devices. Each vehicle can therefore be tracked on its route to Parliament.
The first phase of this beautiful project has already started and the first 1,400 m2 of tiles (40x40x4) and 700 lm coping stones have already been delivered.
