How The New York Times used space and sound to revive Notre Dame after the fire [Video]

Imagine standing inside the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, sunlight streaming through its iconic stained-glass windows, the sound of a choir resonating through the vast stone arches. Now, picture being able to experience this breathtaking moment from wherever you are, with just a scroll of your mouse. 

Through the power of immersive storytelling, a team from The New York Times recreated the grandeur of the cathedral in “The Quest to Restore Notre Dame’s Glorious Sound.” Using 3D visualizations and interactive soundscapes, readers can now transport themselves into the heart of this architectural wonder which will reopen on December 7, five years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the almost 900-year-old landmark.

Contributors Malika Khurana and Yuliya Parshina-Kottas discussed how they sought to capture the unique way sound interacts with the cathedral’s vast space, showing the beauty of this iconic structure as it underwent reconstruction.