Building upon Building Experimental Preservation
This studio is grounded on the idea that all architectural work can be placed within a cultural continuum as the outcome of a complex cultural, social, and political struggle. Investigating the production of architecture in dialogue with existing works, this is an understanding of architecture as a process rather than as a revered object to be preserved. What, then, does it mean to preserve? Indeed, is it really possible to preserve? This studio tackles these discussions by transforming Notre-Dame Cathedral and its urban surroundings, following the fire of April 2019 that destroyed Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc’s iconic spire. The event unleashed a passionate debate about how to face the repairs. Should the Cathedral be restored as it was? Or should a competition for a brand new roof be organised? This is the recurrent, sterile debate on preservation. Rather than falling into the trap of this infertile discussion, the studio explored the complexities surrounding Notre-Dame’s restoration with a focus on ‘experimental preservation’. The resulting proposals for a National Centre for Heritage and Preservation thereby establish a close physical relationship with Notre-Dame Cathedral and a grounded theoretical relationship with Viollet‑le‑Duc’s principles of restoration. The Centre acts as a public hub for the research into the ongoing development of both the Île de la Cité and Notre‑Dame itself.
Studio Leaders:
Students:
Dr. Josep-Maria Garcia-Fuentes.
Anthony Chau.
Tom Ardron.
Aruzhan Sagynay. Cheuk Lum Charlie Wong. Denisa-Iuliana Calomfirescu.
Guest Critics:
Harry Goacher. Isabel Vile. Iulia Ştefancu.
Alexis Lautier.
Jing Olyvia Tam.
Jean-François Cabestan.
Ka Hei Chan.
Oliver Chapman.
Latifa Al Nawar.
Alejandro Lapunzina.
Oliver Gabe. Reuben Jones. Rory Kavanagh. Victoria Peake. Xin Guo. Yanchao Sun. Zhi Xuan Yew.