MONUMENT RESTORATION

THICOM – Tugendhat House International Committee

The National Heritage Institute and the Department of Culture and Heritage Care of the Regional Office of the South Moravian Region were entrusted with the expert supervision of the restoration of Villa Tugendhat. At the same time, an International Advisory Board of Experts for the Restoration of Villa Tugendhat, “THICOM” was established on 17 June 2009 as an advisory board of the Council of the City of Brno. THICOM expressed its opinion on the basic issues of the concept, theory, and methodology of the restoration of Villa Tugendhat, as well as on important procedures in the conservation and restoration of the building’s structural substance and its interior furnishings, and the rehabilitation of the garden. Another task of THICOM was to provide continuous objective information on the preparation and progress of the restoration of the Villa through the Villa Tugendhat website, publications, lectures and international meetings in accordance with the requirements of conservation, both for domestic and international professional audiences.

THICOM – International Expert Committee to advice the City of Brno regarding the implementation of the restoration of the Tugendhat House in Brno according to the principles of the preservation of a monument.

Designated on 17 June 2009 in Brno by Dr. Daniel Rychnovsky, 1 Vice Mayor of the City of Brno. Decision of the Council of the City of Brno to the establishment of the Expert Advisory Council on 1 December 2009 (R5/128). Appointment of Members on 13 January 2009.

Responsibilities:

The THICOM is a committee of specialists to advise the City of Brno for the evaluation of the technical issues regarding the preparation and implementation of the restoration of the Tugendhat House according to the principles of the preservation of a monument. The THICOM comments on basic conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues regarding the restoration of the Tugendhat House – according to the principles of the preservation of a monument – on important processes of preservation and restoration of the building fabric and on refurbishing the interior and the garden. THICOM is also a institution of the continuous objective information of the national and international audience concerning the preparation and  the process of the restoration of the Tugendhat House

Members:

Iveta Černá (Brno) – Director of Villa Tugendhat, architect, conservationist, THICOM secretary

Karel Ksandr (Prague) – Director General of the National Technical Museum in Prague, conservationist, formerly responsible for Villa Tugendhat at the National Heritage Institute (until 2007) and head of the team that prepared the historical building survey of the villa in 2001

Petr Kroupa (Brno) – art historian and director of the National Heritage Institute in Brno

Josef Štulc (Praha) – art historian, conservationist, chief conservator of the National Heritage Institute and president of ICOMOS in the Czech Republic

Martin Zedníček (Brno) – Architect, Head of the Department of Heritage Care, Brno Municipality

Vladimír Šlapeta (Brno) – architect, historian and theoretician of architecture, professor at the Brno Faculty of Architecture

Thomas Danzl (Dresden) – conservator-restorer, art historian

Alex Dill (Karlsruhe) – architect, Chairman of DOCOMOMO Germany

Wessel de Jonge (Rotterdam) – architect, Vice-Chairman of THICOM

Ivo Hammer – (‘Vienna) conservator-restorer, art historian, chairman of THICOM

Daniela Hammer-Tugendhat (Vienna) – art historian, youngest daughter of Greta and Fritz Tugendhat, Honorary President of THICOM

Ana Tostões (Lisabon) – architect, architectural historian, president of DOCOMOMO International

Arthur Rüegg (Zurich) – architect and theorist

Ruggero Tropeano (Zurich) – architect.

Martin Zedníček – Brno

Assistant of chairman: Petr Dvořák – Brno

For assistance to the cooperation and coordination of THICOM we thank the ETH Zurich, Prof. Dr. Theo Wehner.

PIANO MOVED OUT OF THE VILLA

The PETROF make piano was moved out of the main living area of Villa Tugendhat on Thursday the 4^th of February 2010. Over the course of the monument renewal the instrument will be lent to the music department of the Jiří Mahen Library in Brno and will be placed within the Klein Palace on náměstí Svobody (Freedom Square).

VILLA TUGENDHAT HANDED OVER TO THE COMPANY UNISTAV a. s.

On the 8^th of February 2010 the official handing over of Villa Tugendhat to the building contractors took place, these being the Unistav a. s. company. The superintendent Ing. Michal Malásek was given the keys to the building and with this, the realization phase of the monument renewal of Villa Tugendhat was thereby initiated.

CLEANING OUT THE MAIN LIVING AREA

The main living area of the Villa was cleaned out on Thursday the 11^th of February 2010. A copy of the Female Torso by Wilhelm Lehmbruck has been stored in the depositaries of the Moravian Gallery in Brno. Copies of the original furnishing including the carpets are also stored in the depositaries of the Brno City Museum at Špilberk Castle. The onyx wall was wrapped in geotextile and a casing construction from wooden plates. The steel supporting columns in the main living area as well as in the spaces of the prep room and kitchen were also wrapped in geotextile.

COMMENCEMENT OF GEOMONITORING

On Monday, 22^nd February 2010, a drilling rig was transported to the garden of Villa Tugendhat by means of two cranes to perform hydrogeological boreholes.  The monitoring inside and outside the house was launched by setting and fixing fixed measurement points and a comparative  measurement was conducted, which will be followed by checking measurements in regular time intervals throughout the monument renovation, and even after its completion. Pairs of measurement points were fitted to the house façade and a comparative measurement was conducted, which will continue on a regular basis. The hydrogeological monitoring boreholes were drilled in the garden and the road in front of the house in order to enable soil and water sampling. The measurement and monitoring will continue also in these boreholes.

FURTHER WORK

The unauthentic furnishing was dismantled, unauthentic PVC floor coverings in the basement were removed and unoriginal tiles and pavement were removed, including the screed floor cover.
In the second half of February, the site accommodation was installed – installation of cabins, fencing, installation of site service network of sanitary-technical installations, wiring, weak current lines.

RESTORATION RESEARCH WORK

The final stage of restoration research, building upon the campaign carried out over the years 2003-2006, took place in Villa Tugendhat over the 1^st to the 5^th of March. The aim consisted of identifying and specifying the methods employed in the particular restoration and conservation interventions, along with testing on practical samples, pilot surfaces. The guarantor of the project was Pardubice University, along with an international team consisting of both teachers and students from the Faculty of Restoration in Litomyšl Pardubice University, the Applied Science and Art Universities in Hildesheim, Holzminden and in Göttingen, the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, the University of Fine Arts in Dresden and the Institute of Restoration and Conservation in Cologne all under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ivo Hammer. The research work was focused on the original historic material, technology and surfaces in the work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as well as on the materials, technology and  surfaces of the historic changes including the current state and causes of the damage. Both the internal and external plaster work were examined along with the stone, wood and metal (for example, the cladding of the columns in the interior and exterior, the surfaces of the wood of the installed elements, etc.). The results of the final stages of the restoration research will serve as the basis for the preparation of the restoration work as well as for establishing the methods for the restoration of the original substance of the Villa.

DISCOVERY OF THE ORIGINAL FLOORING

After removal of the secondary walls constructed in the kitchen, the original flooring was discovered. The light coloured ceramic floor tiles of a diameter of 15 x 15 cm of the RAKO – CZECHOSLOVAKIA make were produced in Czechoslovakia in the most renowned Czech ceramic works of the day established in the year 1883 in the Rakovník region in Bohemia. A similar type of floor tiles by RAKO were discovered in the backfill of the floor in the photo chamber where they had also been stripped during the original asphalt insulation work.

RESTORATION WORK ON THE GARDEN BEGUN

Removal of the inappropriate cultivated wood species has taken place up until the end of March. They will be replaced with new plantings in accordance with the historical plans with the aim of renewing the original atmosphere of the 1930s.

FURTHER WORK

In the course of March, hydrogeological monitoring borehole drilling in the garden and the road in front of the house was finalised.  The unauthentic tiles and pavement were removed, including the screed floor cover. The additionally erected partition walls in the kitchen and basement were pulled down.  Probes into the floor structure were made in the basement. Grooves were cut in the floors where horizontal sewers were laid and the floor structure was removed down to the unmade ground. The gas pipeline inside the house was removed and probes were made into the sanitary-technical installations in the basement rooms.

FIRST MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – THICOM

On Friday, 9^th April, the first meeting of the Tugendhat House International Committee (THICOM) guaranteeing an expert supervision of the monument Tugendhat House, preservation  in Brno  took place. This international panel of experts was set up on the basis of a decision made by the Brno City Council on 1^st December 2009. The members of THICOM presented their first recommendations on the design and the performance of work itself during this meeting.
Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Dr. Ivo Hammer, mentioned the main tasks of THICOM:

expert supervision and consultancy

provision of objective information to professional public.

According to the Articles, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee was elected, being architect Wessel de Jonge from Rotterdam.

During the house visit, prof. Dr. Ivo Hammer informed the attending members of THICOM about the results of the final campaign of the restoration research into materials and surfaces, called shortly CIC (Conservation Investigation Campaign), and about the proposals related to the conservation and repair of the original substance. CIC took place between 1^st – 5^th March 2010 and it involved six universities and scientific institutions from four countries.
During the discussion conducted in the atmosphere of mutual respect and regard, the members of THICOM agreed with the first recommendations which were unanimously adopted.

Attendees:
Iveta Černá /Brno/, architect, head of the Muzeum města Brna branch office – Tugendhat House, head of the committee’s protocol
Wessel de Jonge /Rotterdam/, architect, expert on the rehabilitation of modern architectural monuments, Vice-Chairman of the Committee
Alex Dill /Karlsruhe/, architect, modern architecture university professor
Daniela Hammer-Tugendhat /Wien/, art historian, honorary Chairwoman of the Committee
Ivo Hammer /Wien/, preservationist/restorer, Chairman of the Committee
Petr Kroupa /Brno/ art historian, director of NPÚ-ÚOP Brno
Karel Ksandr /Praha/, deputy direction of the National Museum, former expert guarantor of  NPÚ for Tugendhat House
Arthur Rüegg /Zürich/ architect specialising in modern architecture monument rehabilitation
Miloš Solař /Praha/, architect, expert guarantor  of NPÚ for Tugendhat House
Josef Štulc /Praha/, president of the Czech National Committee of ICOMOS
Ana Tostões /Lisbon/, architect and architecture historian, Chairwoman of   do.co.mo.mo. international
Ruggero Tropeano /Zürich/, architect specialising in modern architecture monument rehabilitation
Martin Zedníček /Brno/, architect, head of the Department of Monument Conservation of Brno City Municipality

Next meeting of the Committee will take place on 4^th June 2010 in Brno.

SOREL Cement

After removing the PVC flooring laid during the villa restoration in the 1980’s , Sorel cement was detected on the 3rd (bedroom floor) floor. Sorel cement was patented in 1927 and it was made of burnt magnesia and magnesium chloride solution with the addition of other aggregates. It was used for the production of artificial stone and, in particular, for the production of seamless floors (xylolite) This material was also applied in the main residential space but it was fully removed in the 1980’s and replaced with screed floor cover and steel reinforcement (reinforcing bars). The remains of Sorel cement in the main living space were detected at the wall face under travertine sockles. For the time being it cannot be clearly determined whether the Sorel cement was used in Tugendhat House during its finalisation in 1930 or during the post-was reconstruction in 1945, when the original flooring Deutsche Linoleum-Werke (DLW) was replaced by red coloured xylolite (see the photograph by Peter Zerweck from 1969 in the section of Study and documentation centre).

JACKETING OF COLUMNS IN THE MAIN LIVING ROOM

The steel supporting columns having a cross section in the shape of cross are jacketed in the main living room always by four chromium plated U-shaped brass sheets. After removing the screed it was possible to use a mirror to partly document the system of binding the jacketing segments. This confirmed the consideration by Wolf Tegethoff, Tatjana Bayer and Martin Griseser Stremscheg, who anticipated the application of the bayonet principle with locking by vertical movement. In the space between the jacketing and the column structure we detected dilatation wooden blocks. Chat is also well visible are the river heads. At the internal jacket facing we also detected fragments of the original floor covering (DLW).

SEWERAGE

A part of the horizontal sewerage was uncovered outside the building at the garden terrace. A probe between the inspection manholes proved its state of disrepair. This confirmed the long-term assumption that rain water and sanitary sewage leaked below the foundations and was one of the causes of the garden terrace faults. Furthermore, the original cast iron ran water and sanitary vertical sewerage was uncovered. Camera tests proving passability were conducted.

FURTHER WORK

On the 1^st floor (technical floor) the function of the crawl-way with hot water pipes, which was backfilled, filled with concrete and covered with a new floor layer in the 1980’s was partly renewed.
The heat exchanger was shut off and the existing technical equipment installed in the spaces of the boiler room and coke room in the 1980’s is ready for dismantling. The original elements (ash lift and its ceramic tiling) will be preserved and restored as technical monuments.
The safeguarding and rehabilitation of the concrete retaining wall commenced in the space of the so-called „tunnel“, which separates the building itself from the service networks beneath the road.

SOREL CEMENT

Sorel cement detected in April was chemically analysed. The Pardubice University laboratories determined a mixture of Sorel cement, sawdust and sand. The presence of asbestos was ruled out.
A fragment of Sorel cement was discovered in the rubbish in uncovered vertical sanitary installations in the cook room on the 2^nd floor (staff wing on the main living floor) with a preserved red xylolite coating from 1945.

BOILER ROOM AND COKE ROOM

After removing technical equipment in the boiler room and coke room on the 1^st floor (technical floor) the unauthentic facing from the 1980’s was removed in these spaces and the new bricked in coke chute was pulled down. Inside the chute we discovered the original wall-to-wall ceramic tile facing, probably also manufactured by RAKO, size of 150 x 150 x 15 mm. The unauthentic tiles were removed in both these spaces.

CEILING STRUCTURE

After removing the concrete plaster floor in the scullery on the 2^nd floor (main living floor) we uncovered a hollow in the floor lined with polyethylene. Once it was removed it was possible to see the whole ceiling structure consisting of steel I profiles (in 400 mm), ceramic inserts (v 130 mm) and a suspended reed ceiling.

HEAT INSULATION

After uncovering the vertical sanitary installations in the cook room on the 2nd floor (staff wing on the main living floor) the original heat insulation was detected. These are two boards fitted to the joining construction and anchored by a steel mesh. The thickness of one board is 25 mm and the material is probably hardboard with visible jute fibres and hair, probably beef.
Using the same probe, we removed a wooden plug from the ceiling dated from the time of the villa construction and inscribed „Maurer“, i.e. the bricklayer (handwritten by pencil).

ELECTRIC PART

Work focusing on mapping and inspection of the existing wiring started along with a partial dismantling of distribution networks serving this purpose (boiler room, coke room, and garden furniture storeroom). Lights, sockets, and switches were dismantled on all three floors.

EXTERNAL PLASTER

The international restoration campaign in March 2010 suggested, as an option, the method of technical restoration of the external plasters. The specific method including places with various degrees of damage is currently implemented by the restoration faculty of Pardubice University.

DISMANTLING BUILT-IN WARDROBES FROM THE 1980‘S

On the 3^rd floor (bedroom floor), in the children section, the built-in wardrobes dated from the 1980’s were dismantled. In the boys‘ room, behind these modern wardrobes, a wooden supporting grid was detected, with a prepared blockboard with jacaranda veneer in the entrance hall. One of the supporting columns includes a visible inscription written by pencil dated 1. 7. 1930 and in the area of the blockboard there is another inscription written by pencil dated 2. 9. 1930 and the name Šulc – Schulz written in Czech and German.

OTHER WORK

In the staff wing on the 2^nd floor (main living floor) , the additional partition wall separating the space of the original bathroom was removed, and authentic tiling was discovered beneath . Unauthentic tiling and facing were removed from the bathroom, including the screed under flooring.
Heating elements from the 1980‘s were removed from the whole house along with the horizontal central heating distribution system and pipes suspended under the ceiling on the 1st floor (technical floor).
Work on the structural securing of the supporting wall continued, the so-called „tunnel“. In the second part of May the supporting wall was cleaned and samples were taken based on which the colours and structures of the restored surface will be determined.
Excavation work inside the house continues in order to replace the horizontal sewers.
Due to the excavation work for the horizontal sewers we transferred a part of the hedge (trimmed buxus), which will be temporarily planted in the garden. The removal of the vegetation was also necessary for the restoration of the external plaster of the house.

SECOND THICOM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

On Friday 4 June 2010 the second meeting of the International Expert Advisory Committee providing professional supervision of the restoration of the Tugendhat House in Brno (THICOM – Tugendhat House International Committee) took place in the Tugendhat House. The most important item on the agenda was the evaluation of the CIC international restoration campaign (Conservation International Campaign) focused on a non-invasive method of a potential structural reinforcement of the garden terrace. Furthermore, the committee discussed the issue of optical protection of the installed architectural monument  interior and access for disabled citizens. Foreign and local THICOM members have agreed on ongoing mutual communication related to expert issues in the further course of the restoration of the building. More on THICOM.

TECHNICAL FLOOR

The technical floor (1^st floor) had the unoriginal walls removed in both retractable window engine rooms  and the partitions separating toilets, which were newly constructed in the 1980‘s. Behind the removed partition wall of the sanitary facilities the presumably original telephone wiring of the house has been discovered.

BEDROOM FLOOR – CHILDREN’S SECTION

A defect in the floor was discovered in the children’s section bathroom (3rd floor), dating from the 1980‘s. Under incoherent concrete screed there was a backfill with fragments of original floor and wall tiles. The structure also contained preserved original sewer and water pipes. The partition wall between the boys‘ room and the room of the eldest daughter Hanna had a later bricking-in of a passage between the two rooms removed; this was originally closed by a wooden sliding wall.

TERRACES AND EXTERIOR STAIRS

Large format terrazzo tiles have been removed on the upper terrace, these will be transported and restored off site. Travertine staircase steps and travertine tiles were removed from the garden terrace. All these elements have been identified, packaged in protective foil and are deposited on the site. Stone (sandstone) steps from the 1980‘s have also been dismantled from the southeast staircase, which is adjacent to the conservatory. Exchange of horizontal drains will take place under this staircase. Steps were also disassembled from the short staircase below the garden conservatory.

FURTHER WORK

A re-profiling of the retaining wall was completed in the air-insulation cavity (the so-called “tunnel”). Installation of new electricity wiring commenced on all floors of the house. Excavation works for the exchange of horizontal drains began in the exterior, in areas where the sewer passes under the garden terrace staircase. Furthermore, work began on the exchange of vertical drains inside the building.

MAIN LIVING FLOOR

Following the completion of re-profiling of the supporting wall in the main living floor  (2^nd floor), the air insulating hollow (the so-called tunnel), the reconstruction of the steel joists commenced- these are partly uncovered  in the concrete ceiling. Partition walls added in the 1980’s were removed from the space of the so-called tunnel.

PROVISIONAL TERRACE SHELTERING

The terraces on the entrance floor (3^rd floor) were provisionally sheltered both in the parts in the directions of the street and the garden.

DISMANTLING OF THE FENCING

Steel fencing in running along the street side of the house including the entrance gates was professionally dismantled and transported for restoration work. A part of the fencing behind the site accommodation up to the border of the land plot was replaced by provisional wire mesh fence.

SPECIFICATION OF THE FOUNDATION OF SUPPORTING STEEL COLUMNS

A probe was excavated in the room under the garden terrace (former ironing room) at the footing of column S13 in order to specify the position of foundation wells. The detected situation fully complies with the original design from 1929, developed by the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s office. The uncovered structure proved the anchoring using a steel profile in a massive conical concrete footing resting on three large-diameter piles of a circular cross section – the so-called wells.

FURTHER WORK

Continuing installation of new wiring on all floors. The connection of a new feeding electric cable in the house in the area of the staff entrance was completed.
Continuing work on the replacement of horizontal sewerage inside and outside the house. Backfills are performed in places where the sewerage has been replaced.
Large-size terrazzo pavement on the upper terraces has been transported to the restoration workshop.
A part of the steel door wings from the technical floor (1^st floor) has been transported for restoration.

LIGHTENING THE ROOF STRUCTURES FOR SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL OF PERIPHERAL STRUCTURES OF THE GARDEN TERRACE

Before dismantling the travertine pavements and garden terrace steps it was necessary to remove the concrete flooring. In the space of the former ironing room (1^st floor) a provisional supporting steel structure was installed, securing the roof plate of the terrace. The original garden terrace steel railing was dismantled and transported to a workshop for renovation and restoration.

EXTERNAL SEWERAGE AND GLASS FOUND

New stoneware horizontal sewerage was laid along the winter garden. Fragments of glass in various thickens (2.0 – 9.8 mm) were found during the excavation work. Samples of glass   from this backfill were sent for detailed laboratory analyses to verify their authenticity. The glass of slightly yellowish shade with a thickness of 9.8 mm could originate from the original glazing of the main living space (2^nd floor).

The so-called “TUNNEL” – air insulation hollow

In the space of the so-called tunnel (2^nd floor), the coating of the steel ceiling beams was completed and the roof plate was renovated. One of the supporting reinforced concrete ribs was repaired by means of shotcrete with surface treatment adjusted to the period look.

RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF METAL ELEMENTS

Professional dismantling commenced, followed by transport of these elements that will not be treated “in situ“ to the artisan’s workshop:
steel consoles for central heating and sanitary installations distribution on the  technical floor (1^st floor)
garden terrace steel railing (2^nd floor)
steel window casement of a continuous window in the drying room and ironing room  (1^st floor)
rolling blinds from the window boxes on the bedroom floor (3^rd floor)

INTERNAL SEWERAGE

The camera inspection of the condition of the sewerage taking place in April defined sections where individual pieces or branches had to be removed and where the original pieces will undergo special repair. In those places where the replacement of horizontal and vertical sewerage cannot be replaced, the lining method was selected. The existing pieces were first cleaned by pressurised water. Then, the so-called textile sleeve was slipped into the original piece and resin was injected under pressure which, once hardened, created a new jacket inside the pipe with a long service life.

ROOF JACKET
The unauthentic worn out layers of the roof jacket (consisting of bitumen strips, screed with reinforcing steel, perlite-concrete and sand) were removed down to the original screed layer dated from 1930. This process demanding in terms of technology and time is still ongoing, approximately ¼ of the surface has been completed.

PREPARATION FOR STRUCTURAL SECURING OF THE GARDEN TERRACE

The design for the transfer of the exterior original plasters with the intention of their setting in the original position after the structural securing of the masonry is under way.

FURTHER WORK

Continuing grooving and installation of new wiring on the bedroom floor (3^rd floor). During the second half of the month, the installation of heavy current lines was completed on the 2^nd and 3^rd floor.
Other pilot areas are tested in the main living space (2^nd floor) for the restoration of interior plasters.
Unauthentic plasters were removed in the former laundry room (1^st floor). When removing the secondary layers, a layer of authentic mortar was found with set in original tiles removed in the 1980’s.

ROOF CLADDING

By mid September, the removal of the present warn out layers of roof cladding were removed from the whole roof surface.  To ensure protection against weather conditions, damp-proofing was provided for security reasons down to the uncovered original screed.

REMOVAL OF GARDEN TERRACE EXTERNAL PLASTER

The removal of secondary coatings and surface plaster treatment layers started. Such a cleaned surface was reinforced with a consolidating agent, which will have an effect for 14-24 days depending on the weather. After that, the plaster will be ready for the transfer.

DISMANTLING OF THE BUILT-IN BOOKCASE IN THE MAIN LIVING ROOM

In the second half of September, the restorers dismantled the Makassar ebony book-case in the main living room (2^nd floor). The individual elements were carefully described, protected against damage and they are ready to be transported to the restoration workshops.

REPAIR OF STEEL ELEMENTS

Steel anchors of the central heating and sanitary installation suspensions fixed under the ceiling were uncovered on the technical floor (1^st floor) and dismantled. The window steel structures including the sill were removed in the former ironing room. These elements were transported to the workshops for repair and restoration.
Preparatory work commenced on the dismantling of the unauthentic vertical steel profiles in the curved opal glass was at the entrance hall (3^rd floor), where there is currently plastic glass (material Umastir from the 1980‘s). The original steel structure was cleaned off the secondary coatings and it was provided with anti-corrosive coating (red colour), replacing minium that cannot be used for ecological reasons.
In the second half of September, the opal glass glazing of the luminous wall from the 1980’s was removed along with the glazing from the same period located between the main residential space and the winter garden (2^nd floor).

RESTORATION OF TECHNICAL MONUMENTS

The restoration and preservation of technical monuments and elements started on the  technical floor (1^st floor). As part of the preparatory work concerning the restoration of the authentic ventilation system, the central part of the suction chamber was dismantled. To enable access to the steel grate, the stone boulders were removed, which were placed on it in a special sprinkling chamber to ensure their moisturising.

FURTHER WORK

The unauthentic concrete layer was removed- this layer covered flower pots for climbing plants on the technical terrace at Černopolní street in the 1980’s.
Travertine lining of plinths fitted in the 1980’s at a wrong level were removed from the entrance terraces (3^rd floor).

REMOVAL OF GARDEN TERRACE EXTERNAL PLASTERS

After a technical break required for the action of the consolidating agent, the existing condition of the plasters to be removed and their positions were surveyed. The restorers applied a reinforcing fabric on the surface of the original plaster layers with a wooden slat grid enabling the fixing of the plasters and their later transfer. In the second half of October, the masonry behind the original plaster that is ready for transfer was dismantled by the restorers.

REPAIR OF STEEL ELEMENTS

The dismantling of the unauthentic steel vertical profiles in the milk glass curved wall at the entrance hall (3^rd floor), filled with plastic glass in the 1980’s (material Umastir) was completed. The original steel structure of the wall was coated with the prime anti-rust coat. Work commenced on the removal of coatings of the steel structure between the main living space and the winter garden and  these  structures were coated with the prime anti-rust coat before the end of the month. In Hanna’s room in the winter section the window structure was cleaned and the prime anti-rust coat was also applied.

ROOF

In the second half of October, the work on the installation of the first layer of thermal insulation started, consisting of foam glass glued in hot asphalt.

OTHER WORK

The wooded door wings on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors are being dismantled. In the landlord‘s room (3^rd floor), the restorers dismantled the original built-in wardrobe.
Steel supporting columns on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors were provided with protective wooden encasing (OSB-boards).
Work also continues on the weak current wiring on all floors.
On the technical floor (1^st floor) , the installation of central heating distribution system started suspended under the ceiling commenced.

THIRD THICOM MEETING

On Friday, 22^nd October 2010, the third meeting of the International expert advisory team  guaranteeing professional supervision of the Tugendhat House Monument restoration  in Brno took place (THICOM – Tugendhat House International Committee). The meeting concerned the ongoing process of the monument restoration focusing on the specific professions. The invited restorers informed the foreign experts about the technological and technical procedures in the field of conservation, restoration, and reconstruction of interior and exterior plasters, metal elements, stone, wood and glass. The discussion also included a presentation of new operative project documentation based on the new findings that are recorded, sorted and evaluated- the specific elements and fragments found during the construction work. The representatives of the contractor and the design engineer informed about the composition of the roof jacket in relation to the conception of the attic,  method and scope of preserving Sorel cement, the restoration of technical monument and fire protection and alternatives of disabled access. What was also discussed was the question of the visitor centre planned to be installed in the future in Löw-Beer House being prepared for this purpose for reconstruction by the owner with financial assistance from the Regional Operational Programme.

GARDEN TERRACE

In the first half of November, the original plasters stored in the immediate vicinity of the garden terrace were removed. Following a structural securing of the foundation structures of the terrace and the installation of a new peripheral wall, these will be transferred back. In the second half of November, work started on the structural securing of the garden terrace, specifically the deepening of the foundation wells.

PLASTERS

The restorers started removing the secondary external plaster layers using micro-hammers. Secondary coating layers are removed in the interiors.

WOODEN ELEMENTS

Work continues on the dismantling of the wooden built-in wardrobes on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors. In the lady’s room (3^rd floor) and the scullery (2^nd floor), the restores dismantled the original built-in wardrobes. At the same time, the unauthentic wooden wall lining was removed in the anteroom between the gentleman’s and lady’s room from the 1980’s. In the anteroom at the entrance to the terrace (between the lady’s room and the children’s room) the restorer dismantled the authentic wooden lining.
In the main living room (2^nd floor – dining room), the unauthentic curved wooden partition wall from the 1980’s was professionally dismantled and stored in the depository of the Museum of the City of Brno. Following the dismantling of the partition wall and following the removal of the unauthentic screed, the authentic anchoring of the original curved Makassar partition wall was discovered which disappeared as early as 1940. On this occasion, the biggest fragment of the original DLW flooring with a size of approx. 580 x 250-290 mm was discovered. This DLW fragment was localised under the unauthentic brickwork from the 1980’s between the wooden curved partition wall and the opaline glass wall (under the DLW flooring there is a preserved original xylolite floor).

MAIN LIVING ROOM AND THE WINTER GARDEN

The steel structure between the main living room and the winter garden was provided with the prime rust-resistant coating and partly with the first covering coating layer. During the dismantling of the horizontal ribs of the ventilation floor openings in the main living room consisting of two parts, the original ventilation system of the winter garden was discovered. The ventilation was ensured by an air slot that is filled with a perforated metal plate with square openings. On the side of the winter garden the slot is covered with a steel rolled profile, three parts of which can be removed and inserted back without any tools. This is enabled by angular spikes that fit perfectly into the metal plate perforations. The remaining part of the slot is covered with an identical steel rolled profile that is screwed onto the structure. The findings of the newly discovered ventilation system including the operative documentation have been summarised for a professional publication.
By the end of November, the layer of unauthentic screed was fully removed in the main living room (2^nd floor).

OTHER WORK

Installation of the first (sloping) layer of thermal insulation continued on the roof (foam glass glued in hot asphalt).
Work on weak current wiring continues on all floors of the house.
Installation of central heating distribution suspended under the ceiling continues of the technical floor (1^st floor).
In the first half of November, the restorers dismantled the ventilation control panel including the electric motor and both authentic warm-water exchangers. These elements were transported to the restorer’s workshops.
In the second half of November, the openings made in the 1980’s were bricked in the window engine room on the technical floor (1^st floor) along with the opening for a WC in the personnel tract (2^nd floor).

GARDEN TERRACE

Reinforcement was inserted in the first of the foundation wells and concreted. Excavation work is performed in the other foundation wells; the total number of the wells is. In the second half of December, the second foundation well was dug up and concreted.

PLASTERS

In the gentlemen’s room (3^rd floor), a reference sample of the internal plaster was approved and it will be applied in the whole room. Following the validation of the application of the technology and working procedure in large entire zones in this room, the final method and working procedure will be determined for the other residential spaces.

METAL ELEMENTS

Steel drapery guides were dismantled on the bedroom floor (3^rd floor). Incompact varnish layers on steel door and window structures are mechanically cleaned. A structure protecting against weather conditions was installed on the external side of the windows on the bedroom floor, which will enable the restorers to apply the coatings in the winter.

ADDITIONAL WORK

Installation of the first of the two layers of modified layers started on the roof.
The concreting of the subfloor was completed on the technical floor in the laundry (1^st floor).
Work on weak current wiring continues on all floors.  Installation of horizontal suction pipe distribution system of the electronic fire alarm system commenced.
In the gentleman’s room (3^rd floor) , the xylolite floor was removed in the approved extent. A switchboard was located in the chamber adjacent to the personnel tract (2^nd floor), and the original ceramic white floor tiles by the company RAKO were discovered after removing a concrete plinth under the switchboard.
In the second half of December, the restorers dismantled both original heat exchangers in the ventilation unit (1^st floor).
During the installation of horizontal sewerage, a hollow room was detected in the hallway behind the projection room (2nd floor) under the staircase leading from the bedroom floor to the main residential hall.

GARDEN TERRACE

The fitting of steel reinforcement in the first pair of foundation wells was completed along with the formwork for concreting the footing bottom, which was made in the second half of January.

PLASTERS

The restorers continue removing the secondary layers of external plasters. Work continues on desalinating the internal plasters that were affected by salts in the past when the sewerage failed. On the bedroom floor (3^rd floor), the removal of secondary paints was completed. This work continues on the lower floors.

METAL ELEMENTS

Work on the reconstruction of the bedroom floor (3^rd floor) commenced and focuses on the restoration of steel windows and doors. These elements were cleaned and provided with a prime coat. In the second half of January, a part of the elements was provided with the final coat and glazing was fitted. Mechanical cleaning of the steel structure of the roof skylight was performed on the interior side in the bathroom in the parents‘ section (3^rd floor). Mechanical cleaning of the internal face side of the original storm water steel tank was completed  (removal of thick deposits and scale). In the boiler room (1^st floor), the restorers dismantled and removed for reconstruction a lift cabin and a part of the ash lift mechanical equipment.

OTHER WORK

Installation of the security system distribution system on the 2^nd floor is being finalised. The central heating system is being installed on the 2^nd floor.
Using probes, supplementary brickwork of the second coke chute was localised and then removed in the wall separating the space of the boiler room and coke room on the technical floor (1^st floor) (the main coke chute leads directly from the street to the coke room space). Fragments of black ceramic tiles by RAKO were discovered here.

VISIT OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY OF BRNO

As part of a two-day working visit to South Moravia, Tugendhat House was visited on Thursday, 27^th January 2011, by representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic led by Minister Jiří Besser.

PLASTERS
Grooves are made in the plasters to enable installation of el. wiring and the electronic security system in the basement (1^st floor) and a part of the 2^nd and 3^rd floors. Outside, the unauthentic plasters from the additional filling of subsequently made holes and joints for  various types of lines (e.g. electricity) installed in the 1980’s are being removed.
In the ash lift shaft (1^st – 2^nd floor) the restoration of plasters has been completed prior to the installation of the restored lift cage.

METAL ELEMENTS
On the bedroom floor (3^rd floor), work continues on the final coatings of the metal elements and work has commenced on the mechanical cleaning of steel windows in the housekeeper’s flat (3^rd floor).
The metal structure of the glazed wall and the door between the scullery and the dining room on the 2^nd floor has been refurbished and awaits a prime anti-rust coating.
The mechanical components of the ash lift in the boiler room that have been kept in place are being restored (1^st floor) .
In the ventilation chambers on the 1^st floor, the oil filter was professionally dismantled and taken to restorer’s workshop for renovation. At the same time, the steel awnings over the kitchen windows (2^nd floor) and housekeeper’s flat (3^rd floor) were dismantled and removed for restoration.

FLOORS
The xylolite screed on the bedroom floor (3^rd floor) was removed in the agreed scope. A part of the authentic xylolite surfaces located under the built-in wardrobes and in places that will not be subject to extreme load is ready for restoration.

OTHER WORK
The installation of the security system wiring continues on the 2^nd floor along with the installation of the central heating system.
A layer of concrete screeding from the 1980’s was removed from the immediate vicinity of the onyx partition wall. The steel supporting element supporting this partition wall was partly uncovered and prepared for restoration.

In the course of February, work continued on the installation of the thermal cladding of the roof and the first of the two damp insulation layers over the garage. At present, the work has been completed over the whole roof.
The excavation work related to the last three foundation wells under the garden terrace continues and one of them was filled with concrete before the end of February.

FOURTH THICOM MEETING
On Friday, 18^th February 2011, the fourth meeting of the Tugendhat House International Committee in charge of the professional supervision of the implementation of the monument restoration took place in Tugendhat House in Brno (THICOM – Tugendhat House International Committee). Again, the meeting concerned the ongoing process of the house restoration focusing on the individual professions. The invited restorers informed the experts about the technological and technical procedures of the conservation, restoration and reconstruction of internal and external plasters, metal elements, stone, wool and glass elements. A lively discussion was roused by the topic of wooden elements surface treatment technologies, both authentic elements and newly manufactured replicas. The members present also saw and approved samples of Italian travertine imported from quarries in the area of Lazio close to Rome. Furthermore, prototypes of some elements were introduced: lighting, metal bathroom equipment, replicas of metal hinges and screws, textile samples (velvet and silk). The question of a conceptual design of the external space in front of the house was discussed along with infrastructure for visitors on the technical floor (1^st floor) in relation to the conception of the exhibition building.

PLASTERS

In the basement (1^st floor) and partly on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors, the grooves in the plasters needed for the installation of wiring and electronic security system are being repaired. Non-authentic plaster is being removed on the outside after the secondarily made openings and in the grooves made for various types of installations (e.g. electric) made in the 1980’s. The restoration of the authentic smoothed cement plaster is being finalized in the air-conditioning spaces.

METAL ELEMENTS

The mechanical cleaning of steel windows in the housekeeper’s flat was finalized (3^rd floor) and their frames were provided with prime anti-rust coating. At the end of the month, the restoration and renovation of the ash lift mechanical equipment in the boiler room, which was not dismantled, was finalized (1^st floor).
In the steel doors with glass glazing a sealing was uncovered in the peripheral groove and a part of the sealing was removed in order to perform a material analysis.
The survey into the internal air conditioning space using a camera robot identified that there are wooden louvers in the air conditioning pipe. Both original hot-air heat exchangers were dismantled in the air conditioning chambers on the 1^st floor and transported to the restorer’s workshops.
At the end of March, the unauthentic glazing was removed in the southwestern glazed wall of the main living room (2^nd floor) and the restorers started mechanical cleaning of the steel framework structure of the large-size windows. They also dismantled metal awnings, which were transported to workshops to be renovated and to have the structure reinforced as in the future it will have to withstand side wind pressure. The restorers also mechanically cleaned the steel supporting columns and air conditioning pipes on the technical floor (1^st floor). In the main living room (2^nd floor) they mechanically cleaned the upper surfaces of the steel joists over the 1st floor, which were provided with the prime anti-rust coating and an adhesive bridge before applying the re-profiling mixture.

OTHER WORK

Installation of the security system and the installation of the central heating system continues on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors.
The existing travertine and sandstone elements are sorted out on site and ready to be transported to the restorer’s workshops.
Excavation work for the last foundation wells under the garden terrace continues.
Unauthentic layers (concrete screed, heat insulation–polystyrene and damp insulation in the form of asphalt strips) were removed from under previously removed large-size terrazzo tiles on the entrance and upper terraces (3^rd floor).
Installation of the suction pipes of the electronic fire system was finalized at the foot of the supporting wall, the so-called tunnel (2^nd floor).
Installation of steel scaffolds was completed along the southwestern and southeastern of the house façade for the follow-up work on the façade, restoration of the steel glazed wall and awnings.

METAL ELEMENTS

After removing the unauthentic glazing from the 1980’s and mechanical cleaning of incoherent coatings, the glazed wall steel structure in the main living room was repaired and deformations were evened out. The restorers started renewing the window lowering mechanism.
Before applying a special re-profiling mixture onto the floor in the main residential room (2^nd floor), the load bearing steel profiles under the onyx partition wall, the milk glass wall and the glazed wall between the scullery and the garden terrace were structurally stabilised.

WOODEN ELEMENTS

The restorers installed a load bearing wooden grate for the rounded partition wall made of Makassar ebony defining the dining room in the main living room. Once the partition wall anchors are precisely fitted, this structure will be removed and finally installed after fitting the final floor layers.

OTHER WORK

A strip foundation was completed under the garden terrace. In relation to this the deflected steel loading bearing columns was restored and then cleaned and treated with a protective anticorrosive coating.
In the entrance hall (3^rd floor) a fragment of the central heating return pipe was discovered behind the rounded milk wall. A new stainless steel pipe was installed in the place of this original fragment.
Work continues on the renewal of the interior and exterior plasters. Jet grouting is performed in the interior plasters to strengthen their incoherent parts.
Unauthentic terrazzo fro the 1980’s was removed in front of the personnel wing on the 2^nd floor.
Special reprofiling mixture was applied in the main living room (2^nd floor) which will form a first layer under the xylolite layer.
On the technical floor (1^st floor) , the thermal insulation on the water and central heating pipes is being applied (mineral insulation with smooth cement plaster). On the 2^nd and 3^rd floor the central heating pipes are being installed.
In the boiler room (1^st floor), the implementation of flue gas duct started (duct system) started – concrete structure with fireclay lining

National Heritage Institute – the central office and local office in Brno held a specialized seminar on Tugendhat House restoration on 13^th April 2011. The specialists from the National Heritage Institute from the whole of the Czech Republic were familarised with the theoretical and practical questions of monument restoration addressed during this extraordinary project in the form of lectures and guided tour in the house.

STONE AND PAVEMENT

Travertine steps are being installed on the garden terrace stairs. At the same time, the restorers are cleaning the travertine element surfaces inside and outside the house and add missing parts in damaged elements. On the upper terrace, (3^rd floor), the restorers are finalising the laying of large-size terrazzo pavement. New concrete pavement has been laid on the terrace at the housekeeper’s flat (3^rd floor), the personnel terrace and the so-called „tunnel“ (2^nd floor). Terrazzo screed has been finalised and polished on the staircase leading to the personnel wing. Restorers have laid stoneware pavements in the parents’ and children’s bathrooms (3^rd floor) and a WC behind the projection room (2nd floor).

GARDEN

Vegetation planting has been finalised in the garden including the lawn grass turf laying. The path network with gravel surface and the garden staircase made of quarry stone are ready. On Friday, 11^th November 2011 at 11.00 a.m., Mayor of the City of Brno, Roman Onderka, took over the renovated garden which was reinstated to the condition it was in after the completion of the construction in 1930.

BOILER ROOM AND HEATING

On Wednesday, 16^th November 2011, Mayor of the City of Brno, Roman Onderka himself lighted the historic Strebel boiler. After the completion of heating elements, hot air heat exchangers and heaters along the glazed wall in the main living room and the conservatory (2^nd floor), the heating system in the whole house could be started up.

WOODEN ELEMENTS

Wooden door frames have been restored on all floors. The original elements of built-in wardrobes in the master’s and mistress‘rooms (3^rd floor) have been brought in from the restoration workshops . The external wooden roller blinds on the 3^rd floor have been fitted. Installation of wooden plinths at the floors has been completed on the 3^rd floor and this work continues on the 2^nd floor.

METAL ELEMENTS

The restorers have completed the cleaning of exterior column cleaning. They are finalising final coating of the pergola steel structure and semicircular bench on the upper terrace (3^rd floor). The final coat has also been applied on the garage gate (3rd floor). Sliding mechanisms are started up in the window engine room on the technical floor (1^st floor). Steel staircase with a railing has been installed in the boiler room (1^st floor). Internal surfaces of the original ventilation pipes are being cleaned on the technical floor (1^st floor).

FURTHER WORK

Grey natural linoleum has been laid in the personnel rooms on the 2^nd floor (former cook’s and maid‘s rooms) manufactured according to the original formulation of Deutsche Linoleum Werke (DLW) in Germany. In the guard‘s room (former cook’s room) the electric system- weak current- has been completed. Metal parts of ceiling light fixtures have been fitted on the 3rd floor. The last of the four bathtubs has been fitted and bricked in the housekeeper‘s flat (3^rd floor). The restorers are applying the final coating of the retaining wall under the street fencing.

WOODEN ELEMENTS AND FURNITURE 

In the living room (2^nd floor), the restorers reinstalled the authentic bookcase veneered in Makassar ebony including replica shelves as only one shelf has been preserved.
Internal fittings (shelves, drawers) were installed in the authentic built-in wardrobes in the master’s and lady’s bedroom (3^rd floor).
The restorers completed the installation of the replicas of built-in wooden elements on the 1^st and 2^nd floors. Free-standing and seating furniture was moved in.

TEXTILES

All oriental carpets were laid on the bedroom floor (3^rd floor) and the main living floor (2^nd floor); a deep-pile sheep wool carpet was laid in the lady’s room and a hand woven carpet made of natural light wool was placed in front of the onyx partition wall in the main living room. At the same time, drapery made of Shantung silk and velvet was fitted.

OTHER WORK

The restorers treated and polished the column cladding in the entrance hall (3^rd floor) and in the living room (2^nd floor). They also carefully cleaned the onyx wall.
Restored lighting fixtures by Paul Henningsen were fitted in the living room (2^nd floor).
In the moth chamber on the technical floor (1^st floor), the restorers cleaned all preserved authentic white earthenware wall and floor tiles that have been fully preserved here.
Felt sealing was fitted in all steel doors in the building.
The authentic and newly applied smoothened screed on the technical floor (1^st floor) and in the garage (3^rd floor) was treated by the restorers with a protective wax-based coating. The smoothened cement surface of the pipe thermal insulation was treated with an oil coating.
On the technical floor (1^st floor), newly installed sanitary facilities for visitors were completed. At the same time, structures to be used for the exhibition dedicated to the Tugendhat Villa including the bookshop furnishing were completed.
The spaces on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors in the personnel wing that will be used for the operation of the villa (ticket office, guides, villa management, Study and Documentation Centre, control room) were equipped with period functioning furniture.

HANDOVER

On 24^th January 2012, the scheduled handover took place. All building work including interiors was completed on schedule.

FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUILDING 

On Thursday, 2^nd February, the final acceptance certificate was issued.
In the coming days, the house was cleaned up and the last details in the interior were finalised.
Between 20^th – 24^th February, the site accommodation in front of the house in Černopolní street was removed and the exterior was cleaned up – final work on the pavement and space in front of the house and the garden.

SEVENTH THICOM MEETING 

On Tuesday, 28^th February 2012, the seventh meeting of the Tugendhat House International Committee (THICOM) supervising the monument restoration of Tugendhat House took place in Brno. The experts were informed about details of the final renovation and restoration of the house. During the afternoon meeting taking place right inside the house they summarised the outcomes of the conducted work and expressed absolute satisfaction with its quality. In conclusion, they recommended some partial corrections to be made as part of maintenance and repair of the house after the monument restoration.

On Tuesday, 29^th February 2012, Tugendhat House was ceremonially opened after the two-year monument restoration process.  The opening of the house, the unique modern architecture landmark in the Czech Republic listed as the UNESCO world heritage site, was preceded by a press conference attended by the city representation headed by Brno City Mayor, Roman Onderka, Deputy Mayor Robert Kotzian, daughters of the Tugendhat commissioning the house construction, Daniela Hammer-Tugendhat and Ruth Guggenheim-Tugendhat,  Ivo Hammer, Wessel de Jonge and Ana Tostoes for the international advisory committee THICOM, managing director of Unistav, Miroslav Friš, and Tugendhat House site manager, Michal Malásek, as well as representatives of the design team and the Museum of the City of Brno.

The Tugendhat House opening ceremony commenced at 1 p.m. in presence of distinguished guests mainly from the cultural world. All guests and representatives of media were welcomed by the Mayor of the Statutory City of Brno, Roman Onderka, giving a short speech followed by addresses made by the Tugendhat House director, Iveta Černá,  the youngest daughter of the Tugendhats, Daniela Hammer-Tugendhat, managing director of  Unistav, Miroslav Friš and Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Alena Hanáková.

The exceptional atmosphere of the day with an exceptional date was underscored by a music performance of the legendary Brno jazzman, Jaromír Hnilička.