Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project

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Miller Exhibition - Notre Dame de Paris Truss Project

National Building Museum Exhibition

Truss on the National Mall

Photocopy Francois Guilot/AFP. Notre Dame burning April 15th.

The Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project is organized by Handshouse Studio, which is setting up education workshops in Washington, D.C., to reconstruct one of the oldest trusses that once held the roof of Notre- Dame de Paris.

The School of Architecture and Planning partned up with Handhouse Studio to build a full-scale truss — approximately 45 feet wide and 35 feet tall, or more than three stories — outdoors in a 10-day workshop at The Catholic University of America on the campus’s University Mall, and will be available for public viewing.

The truss will then be hand-raised and displayed in three events.

Part 1

On the first week of August, the truss was hand-raised on the University Mall next to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The event was a huge success thanks to all the students and professionals that worked together on the project.
Part 2

In coordination with the Historic Preservation Training Center of the National Park Service and with the support of Preservation Maryland, the truss was hand-raised again during a one-day event on the National Mall.
Part 3

In partnership with the National Building Museum, the full-scale truss was installed in the building’s historic Great Hall for an exhibition.
Part 4

As a result of our class offered during the summer, our students worked together to organize an exhibition on the Notre Dame de Paris Truss Project.

truss crew in front of the raised truss

"After watching the devastating images of the fire, it brings me joy that our university can contribute to the rebuilding of this beautiful church, which is an expression of love to our Blessed Mother."

Dr. Aaron Dominguez, Provost

Notre-Dame Truss Project

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4