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Oh my word! This looks awful ...

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2019
    Maybe its roof and spire will be done in five years ... to restore the Paris skyline for the Olympics?  I would think the interior may well take longer ...

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I've never been to Notre-Dame so I can't comment on this but this afternoon on BBC radio 4 it was said that much of the cathedrals stonework consisted of 20th century repair work, there's a question whether it should be rebuilt to the original medieval, the 20th century or a new modern design. One thing that has to be said though is how quickly the fire was extinguished, I'm sure that when other such fires have occurred it has taken days to put the fires out.
    If, as seems to be the case, most of the stonework is good it's not going to be a rebuild, simply a renovation.  All the great buildings have been repaired over the centuries, but done using the same materials as the originals and in many cases the same production techniques assisted by modern technology.  Gloucester cathedral which is local to me seems constantly to have scaffolding over one part or another.
    My wife works for an insurance company which specialises in church properties and ironically they have a programme running to advise on protecting the properties against fire risk.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I've never been to Notre-Dame so I can't comment on this but this afternoon on BBC radio 4 it was said that much of the cathedrals stonework consisted of 20th century repair work, there's a question whether it should be rebuilt to the original medieval, the 20th century or a new modern design.
    I think it should be a modern design to reflect the fact that we live in the 21st century.
    Most of the renovations and additions over the years would have been 'modern' at the time.
    The same skills and craftsmen could be used but with a more futuristic approach rather than just copy what was there before.

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • DyersEndDyersEnd Posts: 730
    Surely it'll take them ages to season enough oak for the roof timbers? I'd have thought 5 years is very optimistic.  
    I'd love to know whether the original constructions were built for longevity or instant(ish) impact. A bit of both I expect.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    DyersEnd said:
    Surely it'll take them ages to season enough oak for the roof timbers? I'd have thought 5 years is very optimistic.  

    I would guess that the original roof was built with green oak. I would have thought a bigger problem will be that there are not enough oak trees tall enough left in the world. 900 years ago Europe had ancient forests with huge trees and no one to criticise when centuries old ones were cut down. The spans are huge - I should imagine they'll have to use a more modern (and more fireproof) construction than green oak
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • DyersEndDyersEnd Posts: 730
    Interesting @raisingirl, I hadn't thought of that. I hope the restorers know what they're doing and aren't pushed into using short cuts to meet the president's target.
  • Hampshire_HogHampshire_Hog Posts: 1,089
    St Georges chapel Windsor took seven years and £36.5 million so I would not expect this to be completed any sooner presuming they put it back as original, much sooner if the go for a more modern build and techniques which I personally think would be a good idea distinguish between the old and new as the National trust are doing with Clandon park and as happened to Coventry cathedral

    "You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would go for modern replacement materials too, at least where they’re not seen. What oak is available could then be used for smaller, possibly non structural stuff that has to be repaired/replaced. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I saw the interview on Sky news with one of the men who worked on the York Minster restoration. He estimated 8 to 10 years. 
    https://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/uk-news/2853070/york-minster-shows-how-cathedrals-can-be-restored-after-fires/
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    There's already a committee in place and an appeal going out to international architects for designs.  Let's hope they go Norman Foster style rather than Rogers grunge.  And yes, they want it done in time for the Olympics altho people are already saying they shold take it slow and steady and get it right with no regrets.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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