It has been over a year since the landmark Notre-Dame cathedral burned down in Paris, and after a long debate, the French government has announced that the chapel will be restored to its original splendor. “The president of the republic has become convinced of the need to restore Notre-Dame de Paris in the most consistent manner possible to its last complete, coherent, and known state,” the Elysée Palace announced in a statement.

In the past year, an unofficial competition was held by an independent publisher ,GoArchitect, calling for designers to reimagine the architectural marvel. The competition received 226 redesign entries from 56 countries around the world, with the ‘Paris Heartbeat’ design by Chinese architects Zeyu Cai and Sibei Li being named the winner. French Architect Vincent Callebaut also made his contribution by proposing an urban design concept for the cathedral.Back in the 19th century, French architect Viollet-le-Duc conceived the Notre-Dame’s original spire, which was 300-feet-tall and was made using wood and lead. However, the redesigned proposals that were submitted to the French government envisioned a modern version of the chapel with sustainable designs, which were opposed by Parisian architects and academics.

 Image credit: Vincent Callebaut Architectures Paris

It’s unsure what will happen to these proposals in the wake of the French government deciding to preserve the Notre-Dame’s original Gothic design. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the government will consult with the National Heritage and Architecture Commission for guidance on how to proceed with the reconstruction.

Images credit: Unsplash.com and @allisonburnsphoto