MPs could be housed in a glass dome on the River Thames while Westminster is refurbished

British MPs could find themselves debating under a glass dome along the River Thames in London while the Palace of Westminster is being refurbished.

That is the idea of architect firm Gensler, which has produced artists’ impressions of what the bizarre structure might look like.

It has proposed a 250m-long glass dome on top of a wooden frame that would sit on steel platforms set into the river, all just 10m away from the Houses of Parliament.

The firm say the 8,600 square metre structure could be made in UK shipyards in less than three years and then floated into place down the river.

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The design is inspired by the hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall, commissioned by Richard II in 1393 and one of the few remaining parts of the original medieval building.

The dome as it might look on the London skyline (Picture: Gensler/PA)

Westminster Palace will close for a restoration programme estimated to take at least six years.

The refurbishment is not expected to begin before 2023.

Ian Mulcahey, managing director at Gensler, said: “The concept provides a simple solution to what is a very complex problem.

“The challenge has been to find a location that enables all the key components of Parliament to be located together in close proximity to the wider Government estate in Whitehall.

“The Palace of Westminster is one of the most important symbols of democracy in the world.

“This scheme provides a powerful expression of continuity and reinforces UK’s world-leading creative expertise.”

The idea is to use the dome as a museum - or a parliament in another country - once parliament is restored.

(Main picture: Gensler/PA)