Greenhouse proposed to replace Notre Dame roof

Designs have been submitted for the restoration of the roof structure destroyed by fire

Design submissions for the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral include a proposal for a glasshouse to be built in place of the old, wooden roof.

Parts of the original structure were destroyed in a fire earlier in April, prompting French prime minister, Eduoard Phillipe, to invite designers to create a replacement that is “adapted to the techniques and challenges of our era".

In response, Paris based architects Studio NAB submitted a design adapted to the challenge of climate change.

The proposed roof would be built of glass and its exterior would follow the shape of the previous one. However, where there was once a tangle of wooden support beams inside, there would be rows of trees and flowers. 

The new spire would serve as an apiary housing dozens of hives, inspired by the three beehives that survived the fire.

The proposal is one of many produced in response to the Notre-Dame fire.