The Abbey of Mont St Michel on the island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Lower Normandy, established in the 9th Century, is one of France’s most visited cultural sites. The Merveille, where the monks once lived, was constructed by the 13th Century presents a distinctly Gothic form to the historical building. And, altogether, the landmark represents an architectural tapestry that spans time. For that reason, in the 1880s, an important model was created of the Merveille to aid in its 19th Century restoration, under the direction of architect Jules-Edouard Corroyer. In itself, the 8.5 ft (2.6 m) tall model represents both a stunning piece of craftsmanship, carved from a single block of limestone, and a meta-historical addition to the Abbey’s heritage. And, just as time tears away at the Merveille on the island of Mont-Saint-Michel, the model too has begun to deteriorate.
To ensure that Corroyer’s model is fundamentally preserved, Paris’s prominent museum of architecture, The Cité de L’Architecture, has begun a project to digitally capture the Merveille sculpture, enlisting the help of French 3D printing service Sculpteo. Together, the two have launched an Ulule campaign to fund the restoration of the restoration model with a proposed €15,000. Sculpteo has already funded multiple 3D scans, which cover both the exterior and interior of the structure, including textures and colors. One of the 3D printing bureau’s head 3D designers, Alvise Rizzo, managed to convert the model into a 3D printable file.
The 3D model can be seen over at Sculpteo’s blog or the Ulule campaign, which will fund part of the recovery process, dismantling parts that have become too fragile, adding a metal reinforcement structure, micro-sanding, cleaning, adding patina to give it that 19th Century glow, and the transportation of the model. If the campaign manages to cross the €25,000 mark, they will even 3D print a second copy for presentation in Deut. Donors of €1000 or more will also receive a 3D printed miniature of the piece for their contributions.
If you believe in the preservation of French architectural history, then head over to the Ulule campaign and lend your support.
