Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 22
Where New Meets Old The Restoration and
Extension of The Westminster
Coroner’s Court
Westminster Coroner’s Court is a grade II listed building that was designed in 1893 by the architect
GRW Wheeler. The elaborate brick façade with Portland stone dressings is a mix of neo-Georgian
Jacobean and Arts and Crafts style and is in stark contrast to the recent addition of a beautifully
simple extension by Patrick Lynch Architects.
The original building was built following an 1887 Act of
Parliament (the Coroners Act) that sought to regularize
the laws relating to coroners in their role of doctor/lawyer,
investigating violent or unexplained deaths and ordering
postmortems and inquests. Prior to the Act postmortems
and inquests invariably took place in random locations
near to the scene of the death, which could include public
houses. Purpose-built coroners’ courts were designed to
fulfil two key functions, firstly the postmortem and
identification of the body and secondly to accommodate
court proceedings in the event of an inquest. As such the
buildings were designed to provide a level of privacy and
comfort to grieving relatives, whilst also affording space
for court activities. The existing Westminster’s Coroners
Court building is residential in appearance, with the
domestic-led design intended to create a familiar space to
those in distress. Over the years the building had become
too small to accommodate all its services and staff and
additionally, Westminster Coroners Court is where deaths
resulting from major disasters and acts of terrorism are
investigated including the victims of the Grenfell Tower
fire and the Westminster Bridge terrorist attacks. It is one
of the key Coroners Courts, and it was in desperate need
of refurbishment and extension.
Below, picture credit Rory Gaylor
