Best Way
To
Restore Iconic Buildings
Restoration of old beautiful buildings is not an easy job as it sounds. Especially for iconic heritage buildings. It is a long term project requiring thoughtful planning, execution to bring back the original beauty and dignity of the heritage buildings.
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Christchurch CathedralImage: © Ina|writeronwings.blogspot.com Photograph taken in January, 2019 |
Christchurch cathedral, New Zealand, a 19th century neogothic, iconic heritage building. High altar, wooden carvings, mosaic from Venice are its real beauty. More to that its charm has been in hosting several official events, till its devastation in an earthquake, February 2011. A Cardboard Cathedral has been constructed as an alternative and a glass building has come up at the ruined site.
Reactions of people about the restoration that has been worked out so far are varied-
Spegil, an artist got injured while working at the Cathedral during earthquake finds the glass building neither pleasing nor welcoming, publishes the Gurdian.
Paterson, the project director opines to put value on heritage and symbolism.
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Norte-Dame de ParisImage:© Ina|writeronwings.blogspot.com Photograph taken in September, 2015 |
Norte-Dame de Paris, 850 years old cathedral is a landmark of Paris skyline and the finest French Gothic Architecture. It is a distinguished architectural beauty for its Gothic towers, Gothic carvings, Flying buttresses, 13th century rose windows. Its spire got damaged by a massive blaze in 2019 when most of its roof has crumbled down.
French government has taken steps to reconstruct as its original beauty. Voluntary organizations, such as States Private Forests Owners donating very old oak trees as used in the cathedral. And also to maintain ancient forestry heritage planting new trees, leaving other trees to stand, informs Le Parisien. They say it is a matter of pride to donate for Norte-Dame.
French President, Emmanuel Macron closes all arguments on 'Contemporary touch', declaring that the spire to be built to its original form.
At this time, when every structure is built giving modern outlook seems an acceptable argument. Reasons being collecting ancient resources is difficult, fine craftmanship as required is hard to find and finally huge amount of expenditure that goes in the process.
On the other hand understanding the art, architecture and the scientific processes those have been used in constructing iconic buildings of an era will be missing. Link of modern development will not be available. It is also like denying the contributions made by the forefathers in making of present generation.
Therefore giving modern look or contemporary touch while restoring ancient iconic buildings in a way encouraging:-
No history, No heritage, No lineage.
Best possible restoration would be preserving the original and also making it safer; creating better scope to study and to visit.
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