Also available in:
繁體中文 
ไทย 
Español
Since the tragedy of the fire that wrecked almost half of the world’s beloved Notre Dame Cathedral, many architects and designers have made proposals for its reconstruction. These proposals have not just come from French firms but from all over the world. The designs fall into two categories: one, is that it be restored to its original form and two, that it changes completely in order to give the space new functionality. Some designs are intriguing while others are just downright crazy! Here’s a list of some of the craziest proposals we have seen for Notre Dame’s renovation.
Don’t forget to download our free set of Paris Guides: guides, maps, and itinerary!
1. Roof-Top Pool on the Notre Dame
One of the most talked about proposals has been the design of Stockholm studio, Ulf Mejergren Architects. They proposed that the top of Notre Dame be converted into an open-air swimming pool. The pool would be surrounded by the traditional structure of the church, statues and all. It would also form the shape of a cross and be a space that allows visitors to get amazing views and a place to meditate. Its a very unique idea but we wonder how the French feel about this design?
Image credit: Dezeen
2. Louis Vuitton Themed Cathedral
This proposal suggests that the cathedral be covered with the Louis Vuitton logo. Created by Brazilian art director Pedro Ribs, the design seems to be in response to the parent company of Louis Vuitton, LVMH donating €200 million to the project. The proposal states that the roof be brown and have the logo across it. It also puts the logo on the main stain glass window of the cathedral. It could just be a comment on the large donation however, he made a full design for his idea!
Image Credit: Instagram @pedroribs
3. Notre Dame Car Park
This design submitted by Yung Yonge and Rob Cross was submitted as a form of mockery to North America’s car culture. This design was tweeted with the caption “If North Americans are put in charge of the Notre-Dame reconstruction.” Now, this proposal isn’t meant to be taken seriously at all but it has stirred up some very controversial debates!
Image credit: Twitter
4. Fire Symbol
French architect Mattieu Lehanneur created this fire design. He proposed that the cathedral be rebuilt in a similar fashion to its original design but this time with a huge old flame at the center of it. He states that the design symbolizes the fire which “is now a symbol of the cathedral” and the holy spirit.
Image Credit: Instagram @mathieulehanneur
5. Quasimodo’s penthouse on the Notre Dame
Another crazy design idea is by Who Cares Design who proposed building a penthouse villa on the Notre Dame for Quasimodo. Quasimodo is the fictional protagonist in Victor Hugo’s famous gothic novel “Hunchback of Notre Dame”—a novel that has been popularized by its Disney film adaptation. The idea behind this design is a joke about how Quasimodo has already made his fortune in Hollywood and can now afford to upgrade his accommodation at the Notre Dame!
A ‘green’ Notre Dame
Perhaps the only proposal that’s not crazy at all is by the French architectural firm Vincent Callebaut Architectures. The architects have proposed an innovative, eco-friendly design that can support local population and produce more energy than it consumes. In detail, the architects propose building a new roof made of glass, oak, and carbon fiber. The glass roof will make sure that the cathedral is bathed in natural light! On top of that, they also propose for a fruit a vegetable farm beneath the new spire. It sounds ambitious but definitely very exciting!
Image credit: Design Boom
How about you? What do you think of these designs? Would you rather that the Notre Dame be restored to its original design or to see it reinvented in a modern way? Share your comments with us!
Also available in:
繁體中文 ไทย Español