How Did BIM Help Notre-Dame Rise from the Ashes?

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In many cultures, fire is a sacred element used in rituals of rebirth and renewal. It carries a dual symbolism, being both a creator and a destroyer—capable of illuminating paths or consuming everything in its wake. In Greek mythology, for example, Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, marking it as a symbol of progress, knowledge, and creative power. However, fire also evokes destruction, as seen in biblical tales like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, where it was used as divine punishment. This duality was also evident in the 2019 fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral, which devastated its historic structure. The disaster sparked a wave of solidarity and led to unprecedented technological advancements, with restoration efforts utilizing digital tools such as laser scanning and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to recreate intricate details and preserve architectural heritage.

Even before firefighters fully extinguished the flames, a surge of donations flowed in for this symbol of Western civilization built in the 12th century. Among the restoration efforts, Autodesk played a pivotal role by contributing technology and expertise, providing its software, and creating detailed BIM models of the cathedral for reconstruction. These digital tools enabled precise planning and collaboration, ensuring that intricate structural details and historical authenticity were preserved while demonstrating how technology can be a powerful ally in efforts to conserve built heritage. We spoke with Nicolas Mangon, VP of AEC Industry Strategy at Autodesk, about this process and how BIM usage benefited the cathedral's reopening.

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Cite: Eduardo Souza. "How Did BIM Help Notre-Dame Rise from the Ashes? " 21 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025809/how-did-bim-help-notre-dame-rise-from-the-ashes> ISSN 0719-8884

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