In April 2019, it was not clear what would happen. Given the importance of the cathedral to the city of Paris, the nation of France, and the cultural heritage of Europe, it was clear that it would be rebuilt after the fire, but in what form and on what schedule were open questions. The answer is five years and as an in-kind replica of what was lost. For example, the roof was rebuilt in heavy timber with traditional joinery, recreating la forêt in the space above the vaulting.
Some good reporting on the restoration work:
– from the New York Times.
– from the Guardian.
– from Ars Technica.
– and from the hometown paper, Le Monde.
A few things we’ve written here:
– Notre Dame.
– A Difficult Tragedy to Discuss.
– Notre Dame and Preservation Philosophy.
– Recreation.
One last thought: around the end of 2001 I was struck by how much the AEC community accomplished at the World Trade Center site when the constraints of profit and competition were removed. The work at Notre Dame has shown that again. If only there were a way to be reminded of this lesson without tragedy.
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