Monday, April 15 started out like many other Monday’s before it. Until, that is, news of a devastating fire broke out and spread across the globe. It ended up being a sad day for architects and the world as a whole, as we sat by and watched Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral go up in flames.
While the actual cause of the blaze has yet to be officially determined, it is believed to have been an accident during the $6.8 million renovation that was currently underway. The cathedral’s two bell towers remain intact, while the spire and two-thirds of the roof was destroyed.
Robert Ivy, FAIA, EVP/CEO of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) issued a statement following the fire: “The fire that ravaged Notre-Dame de Paris may have severely damaged an iconic building, but it could never diminish its impact or importance as a symbol of human achievement. The American Institute of Architects stands with France and the global community in mourning this blow to one of the world’s most architecturally significant religious monuments. This great Gothic cathedral, devastated during the French Revolution but restored to life in the 19th century, embodied medieval France’s significant leap upward, toward light and ineffable space, while serving as a vessel for their religious rites and passages. We share the sorrow of the French people as they come to terms with this loss and stand with them as they recover and look to rebuild one of the world’s architectural treasures. It can and must be rebuilt for future generations, reflecting their hopes and needs.”
While the cathedral has been deemed structurally sound, rebuilding will be a monumental task. Fortunately there is recent 3-D laser scanning data, which could help in achieving France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s promise to rebuild the 850-year-old monument in five years. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said the government will host an international design competition for a reimagined spire.
So far, more than $700 million in donations have been promised in the days following the fire from families, companies and organizations around the world. One of the challenges will be figuring out how to restore the historic building, while fortifying the structure against future issues.
While it is always devastating to see the destruction of such an iconic piece of history, I will be watching as this tragedy brings people together to see the cathedral rebuild and rise majestically once again.
