In this week's comments update, readers are debating Kengo Kuma's plans for a contemporary entrance at Angers Cathedral, France, and discussing other top stories.
The cathedral entrance was designed to create a "harmonious dialogue" between its contemporary design and the cathedral's Middle Age architectural heritage. It will consist of a rectangular stone extension with five archivolts, creating an open gallery.
Angers Cathedral was built in the Angevin gothic style in the 12th to 13th centuries on the base of an earlier Romanesque cathedral, and five architecture studios were invited to create a new design for the entrance.
"Massive stone arches supporting nothing" It makes no sense"
Commenters aren't convinced that the winning design is suitable for a historic building. "Bizarre. It's not as ugly as it could be, but so clearly out of character with the actual building," said MB America. Colin_MacGillivray agreed: "A pure, lean, glass structure, using 21st-century technology, would have revealed the original entrance."
"We have the right to add the new modern parts to historic buildings, but it comes with an obligation to do it well," added Marius. "This one is a rather mediocre idea; the fact that it's well-executed does not change it."
"Massive stone arches supporting nothing" It makes no sense, concluded Alfred Hitchcock. "Surely there's a more appropriate solution with a much more slender ...