Photo/Rendering Credit: Vincent Callebaut Architectures
In April, the French government announced an international competition to redesign the cathedral’s 19th-century spire, following the devastating fire earlier in the month. This is the kind of high-profile project that draws the interest of architects around the world, but we’d go with the bid from Vincent Callebaut Architectures, a Parisian firm that created this stunning design.
The design, which you can see in the link below, is a poetic expression of new life for a beautiful old cathedral, as well as a pragmatic commitment to a more just and sustainable community. The new roof and spire would provide power, heat and ventilation to the cathedral, covering a proposed miniature farm that would produce up to 21 tons of fruit and vegetables for distribution to the local working poor and homeless.
Vincent Callebaut describes their design as “a symbol of a resilient and ecological future.” We applaud their vision and hope to see it built.
