XML's parliament book looks at the relationship between architecture and politics

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. 

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. 

jatiyo sangshad, bangladesh

great hall of the people, china

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

parliaments organized based on democracy index

parliaments organized based on typology

parliamentbook by XML

jatiyo sangshad, dhaka, bangladesh 

camara dos deputados, brasilia, brazil 

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