What’s Next for Notre-Dame?

Sketch of Notre Dame being held up in front of the actual Notre Dame building

The fire at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris on April 15, a month ago today, is still reverberating in France and around the world. Rebuilding and preserving the structure of this Middle Ages masterpiece will be “one of the greatest architectural challenges of the 21st century,” said Jorge-Otero Pailos, a professor and director of the historic preservation program at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.

Here, experts from across Columbia share their thoughts and ideas on how to move forward with the rebuilding of what is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.

Barry Bergdoll, headshot
Create Something New or Preserve What Was There?

Barry Bergdoll, Meyer Schapiro Professor of Art History

Neslihan Senocak in a pink scarf
Rebuilding a Church Means Rebuilding the People

Neslihan Senocak, Associate Professor of History

Nicholas Dames in a gray suit
Nostalgia, Loss & Memorialization

Nicholas Dames, Theodore Kahan Professor of Humanities

Gregory Bryda
It Will Be Rebuilt

Gregory Bryda, Assistant Professor of Western Medieval Art and Architecture

Paul Blaer
It May Not Be the Same, but It Can Be Rebuilt

Paul Blaer, Senior Lecturer in Discipline, Department of Computer Science

Stephen Murray
The Short-Term and Long-Term Challenges

Stephen Murray, Lisa and Bernard Selz Professor of Medieval Art History Emeritus