16/03: Notre Dame de Paris
In the afternoon of Tuesday, 9 March 2010, I visited the roof ridge of Notre Dame de Paris, where a restoration of the ridge crestings was in progress. The ridge crestings were restored by Viollet-le-Duc in 1856, based on medieval designs at other locations. The 19th century ridge crestings consisted of two halves cast in lead from the same mold and "soldered" back to back with a wide strip of tin. The lead-tin joint was a source of leaks over the past 150 years, and resulted in a roof element in poor condition with a corroded metal support structure and threatened the water-tightness of the roofing. Restoration began in the 1970's. In the current segment of work, a lead mold of the ridge cresting and alternate vertical elements has been made where the historic pieces could not be restored. The base of the supporting post was flashed, so that any water that might get behind the cresting would not be able to find its way to the wood roof structure. Design by Benjamin Mouton, Architect en Chef des Monuments Historiques. Roofing/Metalwork by Le Bras Frères.
View of towers of Notre Dame, with previously restored ridge crestings at the right side of image.
Four of the original lead ridge crestings were salvagable; these two are awaiting re-installation. The yellowish band at the edges is a strip of tin, used to join the two halves. In this segment of roof ridge, approximately 11 new castings will be installed. More of the vertical decorative members were able to be restored and reused.
The internal support structure of an original piece. This fragment will be placed in the attic, as a reference for future generations.
View of towers of Notre Dame, with previously restored ridge crestings at the right side of image.
Four of the original lead ridge crestings were salvagable; these two are awaiting re-installation. The yellowish band at the edges is a strip of tin, used to join the two halves. In this segment of roof ridge, approximately 11 new castings will be installed. More of the vertical decorative members were able to be restored and reused.
The internal support structure of an original piece. This fragment will be placed in the attic, as a reference for future generations.
12/03: Basilique Saint Denis
On Tuesday 9 March 2010, I was invited to visit a construction site at the Basilique Saint Denis, a "monument historique classée", the highest level of historic monument in France, located at the northern edge of Paris. Construction of the Basilique began in the 13th century and was completed 150 years later. It was heavily restored in the 19th century. The current construction is an "experimental slice" on the south facade; the effort is expected to last one year. Restoration materials and methods are being tested and selected, then they will be extended to the remaining facade. The project follows the design and direction of Agence Benjamin Mouton, Architecte en Chef & Inspecteur Générale des Monuments Historique.
A bay adjacent to the scaffolding shows the "before" condition; this facade will be restored based on the findings of the current "tranche experimentale".
A bay adjacent to the scaffolding shows the "before" condition; this facade will be restored based on the findings of the current "tranche experimentale".
