Renovation

Historical Architecture

RENOVATION OF STONE

In preparation for the renovation of a (listed) building, it is essential to record all stone damages, including the joints.

Discussions with all institutions are worth their weight in gold

Recording of stone damages

In preparation for the renovation of a (listed) building, it is essential to record all stone damages, including the joints.

We start with the necessary inspection of the façade or monument in accordance with the principle of “safeguarding public safety”.

For detailed recording, we use either a lifting platform or, ideally, scaffolding, both of which are provide by the client.

The legend for the damage is individually tailored to the structure. Damage is subdivided into smaller sub-units to the extent which is practicable.

We record all appearances, regardless of the urgency of their renovation, as preparation for the subsequent renovation concept.

Development of renovation concepts

Based on the damage survey, a renovation concept is drawn up. The renovation concept must meet the criteria of the monument preservation requirements exactly, such as the question of the sustainability of the measures, but also take into account the economic aspect, such as joint refurbishment or the restoration of disturbed water flows.

That’s why it’s natural for us to hold discussions with all parties involved (client, architect, monument conservation) before starting the renovation concept in order to clarify these questions in advance, taking into account the costs and sustainability, which vary depending on the federal state and also depending on the regional officer within a federal state.

This also involves clarifying issues that are still uncomfortable today, such as the sustainable restoration of winch iron in stone profiles – see photo.

This meeting, which is recorded by us, is the “walking direction” for us to create a renovation concept, which we present, discuss, modify if necessary and approve in a second meeting with the above-mentioned parties.

Preparation of specifications

Based on the renovation concept, we create a list of services for the natural stone area. The bidder must be familiarized with the problems of the property in the specification. They must be familiar with the history and the results of the preliminary investigations – even if this is not necessary for the service to be provided at first glance.

Our specifications contain not only the text and comprehensible dimensions, but also sketches as an overview and in detail, so that any estimator can actually calculate the specification from the green table.

We have learned the stone technique, so we know which details are necessary.

With us, a sketch does not have to be in color – which only increases the copying costs and literally outshines possible incompetence – but a black and white sketch with exact dimensional chains is sufficient for the information content.

For example, the service items are not written out piece by piece for crossings, but rather according to cubature in line with the requirements of DIN 18332, which only offers advantages for invoicing, as other dimensions can be converted.

Although supplements can never be ruled out – no matter how well-founded the specification is – they only occur to a small extent with our specifications and can often be converted to existing unit prices for the service items.

Quality assurance on the building site

Qualified construction supervision on the building site is essential to ensure that the specifications are implemented.

Before the work begins, we go through the areas to be renovated stone by stone with the foreman of the contractor and discuss with him the exact work to be carried out for each stone. This method has only advantages: The foreman knows exactly what he has to do and knows the desired procedure – which has been agreed with the heritage office.

The stonemason/restorer is still irreplaceable despite the latest technology – he works with the same hand-operated tools as in the Middle Ages, must know, for example, the techniques and mortar mixtures including the sump lime technique, the handling of liquid lead or lead wool and the results of research carried out in recent decades. We discuss all these topics with the foreman in advance.

After this introduction, we come to the building site – even unannounced -, inspect the work of the various workers, always talk to the foreman, clarify open questions and coordinate and prepare an interim appointment with the monument preservation authorities.

We also attend the final inspection.

PROJECTS

Here you will find some interesting excerpts from our projects in the area of new construction and renovation.

VALUE AND RESPECT

Natural stone offers infinite value and status through its formation over millions of years and its unique character, color, texture and durability.

Inclusions and layers of stone tell stories that instill respect; natural stone represents creation and transience like no other building material.

Great respect and the ultimate feel for stone are required when it comes to choosing the right stone for your project. Specialist knowledge and decades of experience, which are often only passed on internally, are in demand and priceless. Even if design and sales already have an idea, they cannot be left alone here.

Which stone, from which quarry, is suitable for realizing the architect’s design. A deep knowledge that the client can trust. Transparency and partnership relieve the burden on those responsible in advance and ensure the desired effectiveness, which is the basis for the added value of the buildings.


RITTER Stone GmbH
Eichgrabenstr. 5
82340 Feldafing
Germany


T. +49 (0) 8157 – 997 345mail@ritterstone.com