Commentator suggests Notre Dame Cathedral is “turned into a nightclub”
In this week’s commentary update, readers debate a proposal to give Notre Dame a touristy makeover and discuss other important stories.
Restoration projects for Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral have seen the light of day, including the replacement of confessionals, altars and classical sculptures with modern art murals.
According to the Daily Telegraph, new light and sound effects designed to create “emotional spaces” could also be added, as well as a “discovery trail” through thematic chapels, including one with a strong environmental accent.
Quotes from the Bible would also be projected on the walls of the chapel in various languages, including Mandarin.
“The cathedral is a world heritage monument”
Commentators have had a mixed response. “Can it turn into a nightclub at night?” ” asked Limelight USA.
Pavarreon was less enthusiastic: “The cathedral is a World Heritage monument. It is also an institutionalized religious structure dedicated to worship and worship – certainly not a tourist facility. Would we accept Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to become circuses? Shame on them.
Chris d responded: “Are the freestanding works of art and the sound and light effects all removable? Yes. Will the fabric of the cathedral be restored as it was? Yes. Problem? No.”
“Thank you for putting all of this into perspective” concluded Franck. “I bet zero percent of the people shouting about it know that the golden cross on the high altar of Notre Dame was designed, built and installed in the 1990s.”
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Commentator claims unisex condom designer “forgot that sex is all about sensuality”
Readers are not convinced by Malaysian gynecologist John Tang’s design for a condom that can be worn by both men and women during sex.
“Someone forgot that sex is also a matter of sensuality” says André. “It’s not just a binary or non-reproductive problem. Wrapping a thin plastic bag around your reproductive organs doesn’t look very appealing.”
“It would be a good product to stop the spread of STDs”, answered Ken Steffes. “That should be the goal of new products like this, not the act of having sex.”
“Should be called the Innie Outie”, concluded Design Junkie.
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Reader says 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium analogy “doesn’t quite hold up”
Commentators debate the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium at Dar Al-Handasah in the Qatari town of Al Khor. The tent-like structure was created for the 2022 World Cup and is named after the historic bayt al sha’ar tents used by nomads.
“Too bad the shape of the tent is not visible on the inside,” says Steve Léo.
Alfred Hitchcock disagreed: “The analogy with the tent does not really hold when you see that it needs a highway to access it and that it is surrounded by concrete and a sea of parking lots.”
“Modernist dogma demands that the outer form be reflected within, demands that the form be abstract and unrepresentative, and demands that dissenters be ridiculed”, JB replied. “The vast majority don’t care and will just recognize this form as culturally relevant and pleasing to the eye.”
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One commentator says that “projects like this are the very essence of architecture”
Readers are wowed by Vietnamese studio ODDO Architects for a five-story family home in Hanoi. The land is only four meters wide and six meters deep.
“Even more Vietnamese magic”, said think. “There must be something in the water.”
Marius accepted: “Not the first good project of the ODDO architects. Young firm with realizations. A beautiful house, an intelligent execution, commendable.”
“Projects like this is what architecture is for me” concluded Zea Newland. “This is yet another exciting structure from Vietnam. I love the emphasis on functionality – and boy what an interesting site to build on.”
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