Notre-Dame de Paris: the Illusion of Authorship in Architecture

Architecture has the distinct quality of creating a legacy both physical as well as intangible; the qualities of which influence, and are influenced by, the great diversity of human culture. While material and structure yield to the passage of time, our collective understanding of the work will change just as significantly, yet less discernibly. How can we best retain the cultural content of architectural works against the passage of time, social change, environmental transformation, and disaster? The issue, while integral to architecture, has only been articulated thusly in relatively modern times, with the rise of the historic conservation movement in Europe. The cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, a compelling vestige of culture, religion, and architectural form, was concretely compromised by the fire of the 15th of April 2019, which destroyed its spire and much of the roof. The cathedral’s planned restoration has been the subject of impassioned debate, controversy, and conjecture. In this thesis project, I will evaluate different approaches to retaining the cultural content present in architectural works and apply them specifically to the case of Notre-Dame de Paris. The project will culminate in a proposal for the restoration of the cathedral which is consistent with the principles determined to best preserve the legacy of the cathedral.