When French president Emmanuel Macron declared that he was open to ?contemporary gestures? in rebuilding the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral, architects around the world responded with proposals ranging from serene rooftop farms to a Louis Vuitton-themed rebrand, complete with the fashion house?s iconic logo stamped all over the roof.

Some of these concepts are presented as serious options, while others ? including a transformation into a multi-story parking garage ? are more tongue-in-cheek. ?The Pool? by Ulf Mejergren Architects (UMA) probably falls somewhere in the middle of those extremes.

That?s not to say that installing a rooftop pool across the entirety of the cathedral?s roof isn?t absolutely absurd. Architectural purists in particular will undoubtedly loathe the idea, as will those who attend religious services at the cathedral (though it appears that UMA would keep the interiors exactly as they were before the fire). But as far as swimming pools go, this one would be undeniably epic. Can you imagine splashing around up there, gazing at centuries-old Gothic architecture and views of the entire city"
The Stockholm-based firm explains that their concept pays homage to the cathedral?s status as a landmark for the city and the sense that it belongs to the people and should serve their needs.

?Most proposals that we have seen put way too much focus and effort on the spire; a rather recent addition built in the 19th-century renovation,? they expla...