Debate: Conservation and restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris (France).
On the afternoon of 19th April 2019 one of the most iconic Gothic monuments burst into flames. After this fire, which almost obliterated the tangible and intangible values of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, there were no clear ideas on the form that the
intervention project was to take. Different international architects proposed options, but were torn between conserving tradition or promoting a brand new project which moved away from tradition and was more geared towards the supposed needs of the
21st century. The reconstruction of the cathedral has led to widespread debate worldwide, with requests from intellectuals and major cultural figures and strong opposition to the more conservative proposals as well as to the more ground-breaking ones
from different international architects.
The fire destroyed most of the roof structure, which collapsed as it was consumed by the flames. This included the spectacular spire built in the 19th century by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, and destroyed Gothic and mediaeval elements, as well as more modern elements such as the new presbytery, with the altar built in the centre of the nave for the modern liturgical adaptations. However, the Main Altar of Pietà, built in the neo-Gothic style, was spared.
To date, efforts have focused on speeding up the work in order to rebuild the iconic cathedral at the heart of Paris, one of the most representative Catholic buildings worldwide and a major French symbol. This task was initially delayed due to the pollution caused by molten lead from the roof, which hindered the work, and was further affected and slowed down by the disastrous fire which almost completely destroyed eight centuries worth of history and by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Belgian architect and landscape artist Bas Smets, Paris-based architecture and urbanism agency Grau, heritage expert Neufville-Gayet, and engineer Franck Boutté have been awarded the contract for the transformation of the surroundings of Notre Dame, introducing thicker vegetation and transforming the former car park below the esplanade into a visitor space.
EXERCISE: ANALYSIS OF THE CASE
Write a text of 150-250 words and fill the table