Dezeen Magazine

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

Miysis Studio envisions Notre-Dame with a reconstructed spire and glass roof

Miysis Studio has proposed combining a reconstruction of Notre-Dame's spire with a modern glazed roof to "find the right balance between history and future" for the cathedral.

The visualisation studio created the images as an idea of how the cathedral, which was devastated by fire last month, could be rebuilt using both traditional and modern elements.

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

It proposes rebuilding the spire, which was designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, as a replica of the one that was lost.

While the spire would be reconstructed, the original 13th-century roof would be replaced with a modern structure constructed from a timber and steel frame.

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

"We propose to reconstruct the original spire while building a new glass roof," explained Denis Stevens, CEO of Miysis Studio.

"We also wanted to mix traditional wood and new materials to find the right balance between history and future," he told Dezeen.

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

Alongside the reconstructed spire, the roof would be built to match the dimensions and volumes of the original roof structure.

The glass-covered roof space, which would replace the timber structure known as the Forest, would become a garden for visitors.

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

Beds containing planting would be arranged along the space's edges, while full-sized trees would be planted along the centre of the building.

"What could be more natural than paying homage to this place through a real vegetated space?" said the studio.

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

Following French prime minister Edouard Philippe's announcement that there would be a competition to replace the cathedral's spire, several practices have proposed radical designs.

"We do not claim that this is the project Notre-Dame needs, this is only our vision of a potential way to rebuild this wonderful cathedral," said Stevens.

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

However the designer does believe the right solution will offer a balance between restoration and a modern structure.

"We think restoring Notre-Dame to its initial state would be trying to erase the fire from the history of the cathedral," continued Stevens.

"We also wouldn't get the actual historical wood frame back, just a copy of it. We think there is a way to be respectful and a little bit creative at the same time."

Notre-Dame poor and spire rebuild by Miysis Studio

Emmanual Macron has pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame before the Olympic Games in 2024.

However, over 1,000 architecture experts have written an open letter asking him not to rush the process, which conservationists believe could take at least a decade.

Join Dezeen's Notre-Dame Spire chat on Twitter, 15 May at 4 PM UK time with #dezeenchat ›