Gensler is an international architectural company; my step-niece works for them. There are several points in this article that should provoke some discussion.
I find the structure very interesting, and visually pleasing. I really like how the dark structure against the clear ceiling evokes what the actual cathedral looks like now, in a kind of architectural communion.
Several questions come to mind though : if I recall correctly from my Parisian days, Notre Dame used to have a busy schedule, with daily Masses and sung Vespers. Will all that moving of walls and pews and food stalls be actually doable ?
Also, I don’t see anything about an organ (or any music instrument). Will there be one in there or will Notre Dame’s organists – outstanding musicians and the only organists in France who can actually earn a decent salary by serving a parish – be jobless for years to come ? (Sorry, organist here.)
And what about confessions ? There doesn’t seem to be anything like a confessional in there. Or will there be a “confession booth” among the food stalls ? That could be interesting, provided one does not confuse the line for confession with the line for coffee
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