The Local Europe’s Post

This weekend, the world celebrates the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunning piece of Gothic architecture,  a symbol of humanity’s resilience, and a special place for me personally.  As the bells ring again in Paris, it’s a moment to think about what this means—not just for France, but for everyone who values history, culture, and perseverance. Notre Dame is more than just a building. As Hannah Arendt might put it, it’s a “space of appearance,” a place where human creativity and action shine through. It’s survived revolutions, wars, and even fire, proving the strength of collective effort to rebuild and protect what matters. In our work lives, this restoration is a great reminder. Whether we’re leading teams, innovating, or managing a brand, we’re often balancing respect for what came before with the drive to reinvent. Notre Dame’s story shows us how important it is to find meaning in the work we do and to build for the future. As we mark this milestone, let’s take a cue from the cathedral’s rebirth. Whether it’s tackling challenges or mentoring the next generation, Notre Dame teaches us to honor the past while having the courage to create something new. After all, the best work we do isn’t just for today—it’s for the people who come next.

What is in an image? When I'm in a new destination, particularly during the long, dark, winter months, I like to capture long-exposure images of the destination, playing with the light against a dark canvas. I often play with the idea of impermanence, trying to create feelings of nostalgia, reminding me of what has come before and what may no longer exist. Whilst some buildings, such as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, are iconic, (permanent?) features of a destination, those around them and the immediate landscape can morph and change. But we humans are transient and impermanent. An estimated 12 million people visit Berlin and the Brandenburg Gate every year. When capturing long-exposure photos (this one is too over exposed), those who are too transient will near enough disappear (as you can see in the background), and those who move (as instructed in the foreground) will be blurred to demonstrate impermanence. The photo and the nature of impermanence reminded me of a historical story... THE BRANDENBURG GATE: A HISTORICAL ICON The Brandenburg Gate was built between 1788 and 1791 by architect Carl Gotthard Langhans, and was originally designed as a "neoclassical triumphal arch", inspired by the Acropolis in Athens. It was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia and symbolises peace and unity. Over the years, it has witnessed numerous historical events, including the Napoleonic Wars, World War II, and the Cold War, becoming a symbol of both division and reunification. A CONTROVERSIAL AMERICAN PROPOSAL I thought the local Berliners were pulling my leg when I was first told this story... In the early 2000s, a proposal emerged for the American embassy to be relocated closer to the Brandenburg Gate, prompting discussions about moving the gate itself. The idea was met with significant resistance and concern from both German officials and historians, who viewed the gate as a historical monument that should remain in its original position. Such a suggestion was clearly preposterous and the embassy was constructed nearby, allowing the Brandenburg Gate to retain its rightful place as a central icon of Berlin's history. Both the photograph and this story served as a reminder that we are impermanent and just passing through, so we need to take care of history and preserve what we leave behind in a destination. Every Destination Has A Story... #exploretheworld #visitberlin #travel #tourism #sustainability

Sometimes you need to put a stake in ground and trust your people to deliver. Emmanuel Macron could have said, we will rebuild Notre Dame, but first we need to raise some money, and then I would like to get some engineers to look at the damage, and, blah, blah, blah. He didn't do that. He said we will re-build it and set a goal of 5 years. Did he do that? Technically, no. The fire happened in April 2019, so he was off by about 8 months. Does anybody care that he missed the target by 15%? No, they are thrilled that Notre Dame will soon be open to public once again, likely faster than anyone realized. You can always do more analysis, but it is also important to set a goal to focus the troops. Then sit back, and see what magic they can accomplish. #goalsetting #leadership #goals #projectmanagement

Did you know Sir William Nott's statue, a symbol of valour, was crafted from bronze made of guns captured under Nott's command in colonial India? Learn more about its fascinating history and restoration journey: https://lnkd.in/e5YkcK7R

Ever wondered where the phrase ‘daylight robbery’ came from? 🔨💡 Our property is a classic example! After the war, the government was short on cash and introduced a window tax. Many windows were bricked up to avoid paying it — reducing natural light and leading to the phrase "daylight robbery." This is exactly what has happened in our Victroian property. We'll restore this window by removing the brickwork to add more natural light to this amazing period property. It’s all about preserving the property's heritage whilst adding value. What’s the strangest thing have you uncovered in period properties? #PropertyRenovation #History #VictorianArchitecture #RenovationProject

I recommend that new paper RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS FROM A DAYLIGHT PERSPECTIVE https://lnkd.in/eMcpvH7q

Fascinating commentary on a building which has been a constant through my education and subsequent architectural career.

Did you know Sir William Nott's statue, a symbol of valour, was crafted from bronze made of guns captured under Nott's command in colonial India? Learn more about its fascinating history and restoration journey: https://lnkd.in/ehh-TNcx

#NewArticle Rescripting contested monuments amid shifting regionings of concern: the case of the President M.T. Steyn statue Hendrik Auret & JL du Preez  The way monuments hold sway seem stable and predictable, yet their ‘meanings’ migrate and their traditionally accepted roles shift. In South Africa there are monuments that commemorate achievements once considered laudable, that have become symbols of oppressive systems. The challenge facing the current generation is to make sense of these monuments in a way that will dignify the lived situation of all stakeholders. One such contested monument is the statue of President M.T. Steyn that used to stand in front of the Main Building of the University of the Free State.This article will critically reflect on the poetic process of strange-making that was followed in the relocation of the President M.T. Steyn statue in order to illustrate how traditional conflict resolution strategies can be reinterpreted in terms of German philosopher, Martin Heidegger’s notion of inceptual thinking.  https://lnkd.in/ehW3UJ6H

I do believe that street art adds #value to a property. We need more #publicart, we need #art and #optimism in the streets, in the neighbourhoods. https://lnkd.in/ddW3XNH6