Notre-Dame Coaster Series — Gothic Light&Structure

Artistic Rationale

The Notre-Dame Coaster Series is an exploration of how sacred architecture can inspire modern, accessible design. By condensing two of Gothic architecture’s most defining features—light and structure—into everyday objects, this project honors the legacy of Notre-Dame as both a spiritual symbol and a masterpiece of human ingenuity.

These two 3D-printed coasters reinterpret the architectural genius of Notre-Dame de Paris on a personal scale.

The Rose Window Coaster captures the radial geometry and symbolism of the North Rose Window, modeled directly from 19th-century architectural drawings. Its layered tracery design casts shadows reminiscent of stained glass, celebrating light and symmetry.

The Flying Buttress Coaster translates the cathedral’s structural grace into radial supports, echoing the engineering that allowed Gothic cathedrals to soar. Each rib and arch was recreated for proportional accuracy based on historical schematics.

Printed in a single color, these coasters rely on light and shadow to create volume, much like the original architecture’s play of sunlight through stone and glass.

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Project Description

This pair of 3D-printed coasters reimagines the architectural brilliance of Notre-Dame de Paris through the lens of functional design. Each piece draws directly from the cathedral’s most iconic structural and artistic elements—the North Rose Window and the flying buttresses—translating centuries of Gothic mastery into tangible, everyday art.

The Rose Window Coaster captures the harmony and radiance of Notre-Dame’s North Rose Window, one of the finest examples of 13th-century Gothic tracery. Modeled using historical architectural drawings for geometric fidelity, the coaster’s concentric patterns reflect the original window’s symbolic representation of divine order. When light passes through or across it, the cutouts cast intricate shadows that echo the play of sunlight through stained glass—transforming a simple object into an expression of light and spirituality.

The Flying Buttress Coaster embodies the structural poetry of Gothic engineering. Each arched support and rib was modeled after the lateral buttresses of the cathedral’s nave, historically responsible for channeling immense vertical and lateral forces. This coaster translates that architectural function into form—graceful yet strong—demonstrating how engineering and beauty coexist in perfect equilibrium.

Both designs are printed in a single color, relying on light and shadow to generate depth and volume rather than pigment or texture. This minimalist approach allows their geometry to speak for itself, much as Notre-Dame’s stonework does beneath natural light. The result is a subtle tribute to the artistry and innovation of medieval architecture—refined, functional, and enduring.