Digitization of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Photo © Andrew Tallon
One of the most iconic symbols of Paris's architectural beauty and history, Notre-Dame Cathedral was destroyed by fire on Monday, April 15, 2019. The fire inside the 850-year-old Paris cathedral quickly spread throughout its largely wooden structure before it could be brought under control. A heritage monument that took almost 200 years to build was partially destroyed in just a few minutes.
While many objects inside Notre-Dame were saved by the 400 firefighters who tackled the blaze, the cathedral's spire, built in 1860, fell during the fire. Its roof also suffered extensive damage, including the wooden structure dating back to 1160, making it one of the oldest roofs of its kind in the world.
Although this is deeply saddening for all those who love this monument, there is a glimmer of hope in this dark cloud: France has already committed itself to rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral. And, with today's construction technology, it's only a matter of time before Notre Dame is restored to its former glory.
More specifically, the combination of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D laser scanning technology will make the reconstruction and restoration of the great cathedral relatively quick and easy.
Our Lady's saving grace
In 2015, architectural historian Andrew Tallon used a 3D laser scanner to map the entire cathedral, creating a precise image of the building that lives on in digital form. This detailed analysis, known as a point cloud, will serve as the basis for the entire reconstruction and restoration project, as it can show exactly what the building looked like - inside and out - so that all those working on its restoration can coordinate their efforts and work towards the same result.
