XML has launched its new book ‘parliament’ – a research project which explores the double-sided relationship between architecture and politics by documenting and comparing the plenary halls of parliament buildings. the book includes all 193 united nations member states and is complimented by a 360-view virtual tour of all of the buildings shown on their website. 

XML parliament book designboom
house of commons, united kingdom

 

 

 

XML have documented the plenary halls of parliament in the same regimented style and scale as the construction. organized as a lexicon, the project for the first time allows a comparison of all national parliaments in the world. despite major differences between countries, cultures and traditions, an incredibly limited number of typologies appears for the shape of the general assembly hall. there are only five types of settings, which are explored in detail in the book. most of these typologies have been invented in the 19th century and have hardly changed since. while the world outside of parliament has changed beyond recognition, the setting of its halls remain in the past. 

XML parliament book designboom
jatiyo sangshad, bangladesh

XML parliament book designboom
great hall of the people, china

XML parliament book designboom
the book documents the plenary hall of the parliament of all 193 UN member states

parliament book designboom
parliaments organized based on democracy index

parliament book designboom
parliaments organized based on typology

parliament book designboom
parliamentbook by XML

parliament book designboom

parliament book designboom
jatiyo sangshad, dhaka, bangladesh 

parliament book designboom
camara dos deputados, brasilia, brazil 

parliament book designboom
camera dei deputati, rome, italy

 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: hollie smith | designboom