On April 15, the world watched in shock as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris caught fire and burned for 15 hours, damaging the cathedral’s roof, spire, and upper walls.
Renowned across the globe for its grandeur, artistry, and cultural heritage, the 850-year-old cathedral is one of the most iconic structures in the history of French architecture. Before the flames had even been extinguished, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged that the cathedral would be rebuilt and launched a campaign to raise money for the restoration. In less than two days, donors contributed approximately $1 billion.
An Uphill Battle
Optimistic about rebuilding efforts, Macron stated the cathedral would be reconstructed to its former grandeur in five years – but many feel that timeline is unrealistic.
One of the main rebuilding challenges is simply that traditional construction methods can be time-consuming. On top of that, reconstructing the original craftsmanship of the cathedral will require a specialized labor force, including woodworkers, stone cutters, and sculptors.
To make matters more difficult, France is currently facing a skilled worker shortage, according to Jean-Claude Bellanger, secretary general of Les Compagnons du Devoir, a French trade training organization. According to Bellanger, it will take at least a decade to train a crew capable of handling the unique project.
While many architectural firms are in the process of drafting and pitching proposal plans, one company’s proposal – which centers on 3D printing – stands out from the crowd.
The Power of Architectural 3D Printing
According to Dutch design firm Conc3rde, not only would this modern technique speed up the project, it will also contribute to the reconstruction process in a poetic way.
“As the extent of the damage is becoming clear, it is time to think about how to rebuild this sacred monument that has seen so much history,” said Concr3de co-founder Eric Geboers. “We propose a strategy to rebuild Notre-Dame in a modern way that maintains the soul and layered history of the building.”
Concr3de suggests replicating original architectural elements by taking the ashes and destroyed stone remnants, transforming them into a 3D printable powder, and then using an existing 3D scan of the cathedral to print specific components and elements.
According to Concr3de, adopting a 3D printing technique would solve a number of the challenges currently inhibiting the project, while also creating value in the restoration process itself.
“We can create a modern interpretation of a traditional workshop, a modern fabrica ecclesia, on the site of the church itself,” says Geboers. “A workflow can be created where rubble is crushed and mixed, directly 3D printed and then installed by the craftsmen. It can be a living, interactive and growing space of creation, culture, and religion that can be visited by people all over the world. People can contribute directly to the restoration by adopting statues and building parts, and see new parts come to life before their eyes.”
Not only can additive manufacturing streamline the process, but it also has the potential to make the restoration itself a rapid process.
“We could start reconstruction almost immediately… We also don’t need to train a large crew,” Geboers explained. “The Notre-Dame would be able to reopen within several months, and people would be able to participate and interact with the restoration.”
A Phoenix Rising from the Ashes
Although the fire destroyed physical aspects of the structure, the cathedral continues to inspire the ingenuity of craftsman, whether they’re using a stone cutter or a 3D printer.
“We would like the Notre-Dame to rise from its ashes like a phoenix,” says Geboers. “The fire is now part of its long history… fire can also be the future of Notre-Dame.”