The roof section that was destroyed in the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to be restored to its original state thanks to traditional handcrafted timber framing techniques from centuries ago.
Wooden framework of Notre-Dame Cathedral. (Photo: New York Times)
Engineers and craftsmen are working tirelessly to reconstruct the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was completely destroyed in the fire. They have chosen medieval techniques to accurately restore the roof to its original condition. According to Peter Henrikson, one of the carpenters, using hand axes to assemble many oak beams to create a precise wooden frame is very challenging for modern construction workers, as reported by Interesting Engineering on June 1.
The authorities decided to use medieval techniques despite the availability of many modern technological solutions to honor the exceptional craftsmanship of the original cathedral builders and to ensure the preservation of timber framing art that dates back centuries.
Carpenters and engineers have been given a deadline to restore the cathedral’s roof by December 2024. They are also using computer modeling to speed up the reconstruction process. This technology aids carpenters in creating detailed drawings, which is particularly useful to ensure that the handcrafted beams fit together perfectly.
The construction team reached a significant milestone in May 2023 after assembling the wooden frame at a workshop in the Loire Valley in western France. Architects also conducted inspections to check the fit of the frame. Currently, this structure is ready for installation above the cathedral. A total of 1,200 trees were felled to create the frame. “Our goal is to restore the structure of the wooden frame that was lost in the fire on April 15, 2019,” shared architect Remi Fromont. “The rebuilt frame has the same structure as the wooden frame from the 13th century. We are using the same type of material, oak, and tools, which are axes.”
In April 2019, a major fire of unknown origin devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral, standing at 32 meters tall, is one of the tallest structures of the 12th century. Last year, researchers discovered iron clamps used during the original construction of the cathedral, which helped secure the stone columns. This finding revealed that Notre-Dame Cathedral may be the oldest church in the world to use iron reinforcement.
