Proposed minor alterations to enhance the façade of the new Parliament House which will replace Freedom Square will be discussed by the Mepa board tomorrow.

It is being proposed that the solid part of the façade on the Republic Street side will include stone shading elements.

On the south elevation, a frame of solid masonry is proposed around the external perimeter of the stone shading elements and on the west elevation, the façade horizontal sections are proposed to incorporate stone shading elements as well.

Parliament House will consist of two blocks, of which one will be the Chamber of Parliament and the other will be offices. The blocks will be built on columns to give an impression of space at the City entrance. They will be separated to allow pedestrians to see St James Cavalier behind them.

Other changes proposed to the plan include the relocation of an access staircase, previously located externally between the two buildings, to the internal part of the office block.

At all levels of the chamber block, the facade overlooking the office block will be extended in a straight line up to the facade overlooking Republic Street and the photovoltaic cells at roof level will be laid flat on the roof, as opposed to being laid at an angle in the previous approved design.

The overall height of the buildings will be raised by some 50cm.

The Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee and the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage made no objections to the proposed changes.

Changes are also being proposed to the structure of the foundations and to the number and location of the structural pilasters. The layout of the offices and the parliament chamber at the first floor are being amended. The footprint of the building is being largely retained.