Master Thesis

From Ship to Nave - Reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris Roof

Architecture Master Thesis was developed from the studio topic, Upcycling — Notre-Dame de Paris reloaded. In April of 2019, a fire broke out and affected the roof of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris; consequently, this historic structure is asking for reconstruction. The studio trip challenge had been to search for a material that could be reused, and design a new roof for the cathedral.

This thesis research started through the acknowledgment of the phenomenal of overtourism and how this is affecting the preservation of precious structures like Notre Dame. The idea was to search for a material used by the tourist that could be upcycled to the roof of the Notre Dame. This research started by understanding why Notre Dame is so essential for tourists. In addition to the connections of the building with the city.
The city of Paris was once occupied by a tribe named Parisii, during the 3rd century before Christ.
They choose this small Seine river island to start its civilization because of its strategic position. The river could provide a natural frontier, transportation and water. The river was so important that in the first century, it was erected by wealthy shipowners and traders the Pillar of the Nautes or Pillar of the boatmens in honor of Jupiter.
These wealth shipowners were formed the Nautes corporation named Marchands de l’eau, which were merchants not only allowed by the king to navigate the Seine river for commercial activities but were also stakeholders in the administration of the city in the Middle Ages. This corporation of water traders used a seal with a riverboat drawing. Later, this symbol became the Coat of arms by the Mayor of the Seine, Baron Haussman. The motto Fluctuat nec mergitur was added and became the city’s motto. The motto means “[She] is tossed [by the waves], but does not sink”. 

So, the city started to grow along the river. And many public buildings were built, including Notre Dame.
And around the 17th century, the city became attractive for visitors worldwide. The word tourism only appeared two centuries later.
Also, in the 19 century started the world expositions to showcase the achievements of the countries. In the exposition, in 1867, one of the achievements shown were the passenger boats.
These boats were built in the region of La Mouche in the city of Lyon and brought to Paris. They were known as Bateaux Mouche. “Bateaux” means boat in French and “Mouche” means fly (insect). 

In 1905, there was a decline in this activity because of railway transportation. However, in 1947, an entrepreneur, Jean Bruel, founded the Bateaux Mouches Compagnie. Soon other companies opened and the tourist transport along the river became a growing economy again.
Nowadays, there are 60 companies and more than 113 vessels that offer a tour around the river. In addition to that, boats have also a connection with the catholic church. The building of the church is compared to a boat that protects its faithful members from the figurative waves and storms of the real world.
Architecturally, the word nave comes from the Latin word navis, which means ship. This word was many times translated in reality by boatbuilders responsible for building church roof like for example the church Saint Catherine in Honfleur, France. The gothic church had also its elements compared with the structure of boats. Like for example, exposed structure of the vaults with the reversal of a ship’s hull. And the flying buttresses of Notre-Dame cathedral with oars from a rowing boat. The history of boats in Paris connected with Notre Dame and the religious symbology of the ship is the foundation of the project From Ship to Nave.