Now that we've recovered from the shock of the Nôtre Dame fire, it's time to turn a designing eye to the future. The reconstruction of the cathedral falls into two camps: those who would restore the steeple with a historic copy, and those who would add something fresh that moves the cathedral forward. I fall squarely into the latter camp. Onward and upward! So it's time to get those creative juices flowing as high as a flying buttress. And that's just what an international contengent of architects have been doing, after French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced, in April, a design competition for a new steeple. Some proposals are thoughtful or visionary, some are decidedly tongue in cheek and funny, all are époustouflant (incredible!). Let's take a look:
PHOTO ABOVE: French designer Mathieu Lehanneur evokes that terrible fire, with a lava stone flame with a gold finish. I'm shooting this one down as too obvious, and for evoking painful memories.
BELOW: What better material than the iconic Baccarat Crystal for a new roof? This one is by the Italians Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas.
Thinking WAY outside the box, Stockholm studio Ulf Mejergren Architects proposes a public swimming pool, functional and open to all.
Remember the Hunchback of Notre Dame? With a wink and a smile, Who Cares Design presents a penthouse and garden for Quasimodo himself.
Stained glass is classic for church windows, so why not for the roof?
Below, one of two designs which adds a giant greenhouse to the roof. This one, by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, has an eco-system which actually produces, rather than uses, energy, and includes a hydroponic farm. It's beautiful, too–my favorite design so far.
And this design by Studio NAB features a greenhouse roof with orchards, and they envision workshops on ecology inside. The steeple houses a beehive.
The aliens have landed: Designer Dakis Panayiotou calls this a "fictional" design. When he saw the news of the fire, he felt like "reality and fiction merged into one." OK. But no.
This design by David Deroo is apparently the most popular so far on social media, probably because it's on the conservative side.
An ethereal solution features a tall needle which projects a taller light that "connects with sky with the earth". By Vizum Atelier.
This entry is by Russian architect Tara Sovtho. It looks, well, Russian.
And finally, with a firm jab at modern development and the out-of-control growth of our cities, Yung Yonge and Rob Cross imagine the roof as a parking lot for a particular objects of worship: our cars.
Feel free to vote for your favorite in the comments–or leave your own ideas!
In the COMMENTS: Natalia, I’m with you, I like the “make-ahead” aspect of a dînatoire. And apparently dînatoires are more common in the south, per Darcey, Anne (of Music and Markets European tours) andBonnie. Here in Burgundy, even the expats entertain the traditional way, as Jean-Paul says. And don’t miss Frank’s very funny description of the kind of French dinner party we’ve all been to, including me, and Paula. (Next time we'll get back to our dînatoire recipes).
20 thoughts on “Nôtre Dame: To Re-build, or Re-imagine?”
Wild, huh? I hadn’t seen the parking lot? That is atrocious! And I guess now, the parliament has decided it will be reconstructed as before. Don’t know about the materials they will use – maybe more safety conscious.
see you next week!
Hmmm, they can’t just rebuild it, huh?
#1 is a definite no – you are right, it evoke the memory of the fire, #2 It’s UGLY
Thanks for this! xxx
Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut’s design — which adds a giant greenhouse to the roof, has an eco-system that produces, rather than uses, energy, and includes a hydroponic farm — gets my vote and whole-hearted approval, providing there is a place for the bees! it’s time for Paris to start perfecting its 21st-century imprint and abandoning architectural antiquity, n’est-ce pas? look to I. M. Pei’s Pyramide du Louvre for inspiration, not to the agèd cathedral’s Gothic past.
I guess I’m a bit of a traditionalist. I. M. Pei’s pyramid is interesting but not in keeping with the rest of the Louvre. His treatment of the East Wing of the National Gallery, Washington is brilliant–a unified structure.
Notre Dame is a gem of Gothic architecture–not improved or harmed by Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th century spire which more ore less kept the spirit of the original style. I would prefer to see the cathedral remain as a monument to Paris’ history and not a mish-mash of contemporary and antique architecture. Yes, I know the cathedral is a mixture of Gothic styles, but essentially it keeps to the same overall motif and building materials.
Abadie et al’s Sacre Cœur works as early 20th century architecture. Piano et al’s Pompidou Centre is a decent example of contemporary Parisian architecture. Neither of these would be improved by adding–say–flying buttresses.
Vincent Callebaut has done a nice job. The spire of the one with the stained-glass roof is very similar to the two spires of the Portland Convention Center which are also of glass. Thew off-the-wall- designs are fun, but I think the solution is between the far-out and the traditional. I just hope it is 100% fireproof materials.
I hope they restore it as it was. For many people it will be their one exposure to a Gothic cathedral. It should be seen the way it was for centuries. I will always remember my sense of awe the first time I entered and felt the power of all those centuries of people worshipping there. It seems best to me to maintain the focus on its religious purposes and let other projects be modern.
I hate them all. What’s wrong with tradition, replicating the steeple that fell? 😊
I’m with you – I think I like the Belgian design best. Bringing the Old and the New together in a very earth friendly way – Yay!!
I agree with you on this.
They all look ridiculous, disrespectful of 800 years of amazing church history and artisans, and make God’s church look like some kind of carnival scene. Sorry if this offends some people but for God’s sake!
I know I am old fashioned(translation:most likely stodgy)
but rebuilding the way it was really hits an accord with me.So beautifully recognizable,so wraps itself around our hearts–as well as the hearts which were before us(and probably those after us).
I agree old fashioned or not.
Thanks, Lynn, for this informative post.
Most of these plans are too futuristic for this old desert rat! Mixing the architecture would lead to an eyesore. Also, the sole function of the structure should remain a place of worship.
I guess I’d go along with the most popular one although I like the idea of the stained glass tower, but not the roof as shown . . . ç’est trop plus!
Herm
Whatever the new design is, it should include a sprinkler system. . . . They could use holy water.
As a rigid and unrepentant historic preservationist, I would rebuild but leave the steeple off. It is really rather new and had not been there for the majority of the cathedral’s long life. Perhaps a holigraphic one could be projected at night as a reminder of the depredations of people who want to make things “more historic”….. VLD certainly did a job on Carcassonne, which is quite a unique place, but the witches hats were never there until he added them. I would rather have Prosper Merimee doing my historic architecture!!
bonnie in provence
I like the same one as you, Lynn. I also like the stained glass idea, but that seems very impractical.
Oh my goodness, most of these are so weird. Maybe the greenhouse but I’m not quite sold on that one either.
I agree with Kathy and Emily. Restore it to its original structure!
There are enough ugly buildings already!!
Vincent Callibaut – à lively idea also remembering it IS a Cathedral