The reconstruction of Noyon and Soissons Cathedrals in France after the First World War

The extensive damage of cathedrals and major churches in the north of France during the Great War reflects the dramatic and blind destruction of urban and rural architecture and landscapes in the area. Their reconstruction was a systematic endeavour that was driven by state care and followed different priorities and timescale (1919-1938) from the civil sector, while the technology used showed a variety of responses to contemporary practice. The restorers' priorities were often conditioned by the need to accommodate worship as the survivors were rebuilding their lives. The extensive reconstructions in the major churches of Soissons, Noyon, Reims and St-Quentin ranged from faithful reproductions of the walls and vaults in dressed stonework to new roof trusses in concrete, and in most cases the execution was durable and of high quality. A detailed outline of the process is discussed in two cases where reconstructions were partial and focused on vaults, the Cathedrals of Soissons and Notre-Dame of Noyon. This research is based on archives of the works and literature on the subject in French and aims to highlight the technical dimension of that unique endeavour in a literature that focuses more on the cultural dimensions of destruction and reconstruction.</p

The Platform of the Temple of Venus and Rome

The Temple of Venus and Rome at the Roman Forum was allegedly designed by the emperor Hadrian himself and was inaugurated in 135 AD. Its construction upon the Velia hill and precedent structures required an exceptional design and execution, including the provision of a massive 167x 100 m artificial platform. Distinct historical developments on the site like the Vestibule of Nero’s Golden House and the later construction of the medieval church and monastery of Santa Maria Nova as well as the Mussolinian operations of Sventramenti in the first half of the 20th Century have influenced the construction and altered the presentation of the platform. This paper intends to discuss the strategy, design, construction and current condition of this example of a lesser-known field of Roman structural technology. Foundations and platforms of this kind can offer invaluable information on the function of a temple, its history and structural performance, but theirs study is often neglected

Briefing:Updates on the reconstruction of Notre Dame of Paris, France

This briefing synthesises the extensive and specialist operations that have been happening in the last 2 years at the major restoration site of the Notre Dame in Paris, France, framing them within their cultural, political and administrative context. Although all key decisions have been taken already, there are many interesting stages that professional engineers can learn for projects of similar scale and exposure. The briefing also aims to stimulate a reflection on engineers’ and architects’ reactions to such traumatic events, professionally and institutionally.<br/