Renovation
[Renovation (noun): " To adapt and renew a building"]
In the 19th century,
such cities as Amsterdam experienced unprecedented growth.
Amsterdam had to expand and
entire blocks of new houses were constructed just outside the perimeters of the city as it existed
then. These areas are now known as the 19th-century neighborhoods.
Examples of these are De Pijp,
Kinkerbuurt and Old West. However, in the 20th century many houses in these neighborhoods no longer
satisfied the standard norms for current ‘living’. The choice then was to demolish or adapt them,
though usually a combination of these two options was employed. Entirely new blocks of houses were
constructed between existing houses, and the characteristic blocks were restored, with sometimes
only the facades being maintained.
Perhaps the best examples can be found in the later residential
neighborhoods, such as the Berlage and Mercator neighborhoods. Since the idea was to retain the
style of construction typical of that period, a choice was made in favor of renovation. In view of
the experience the company has in restoration, it is not surprising that De Cannenburgh played a big
role in it.
Part of the company’s philosophy is that each construction project is
unique, which is why renovation projects – despite their more massive set-up – are just as
interesting as individual restorations. In the final analysis, they are subject to the same norms
and standards De Cannenburgh applies to all its activities.
Attention, good advice and top-level
professionalism create a better product with a longer lifespan – and lifespan is of course very
important when it comes to real estate.
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Friso still learns daily from his older colleagues.
"Gerard, Johan, Fred and Theo... They have a treasure of experience! They are so very skilled! That
is what I want to be able to do. Making beautiful things with my hands.” He is especially interested
in renovating and restorating. Also the adaptations in the roofconstruction, which The Cannenburgh
makes for the renovation of a house at the Rubensstreet is a project he is proud of. "The
old-fashioned craft attracts me, it is a kind of art."
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Renovating
better than new?
In view of the experience gained and the way De Cannenburgh work, we
can say that a renovation carried out by De Cannenburgh yields a better result than many new
construction projects do. Specifically the combination of restoring old structures and applying new
techniques often produces very good results – a ‘new’ building satisfying all modern requirements
and with the original historical image, and fitting in with the ambience of the city and its
surroundings. A result that De Cannenburgh is proud of.
Cleaning
facades
Over the years, deposits form on all façades and erosion occurs. This process is
faster on buildings in the city than on those in the countryside, simply because exhaust gases are
part of the deposits. In other words, the more polluted the environment, the more seriously the
façade is affected.
Glass powder is used to blast off such deposits. Under high
pressure, the top layer of the brick or stone structure is removed, giving the wall its old,
original color back. In order to seal the pores of the brick or stone, the wall is then hydrophobed,
meaning made water-repellent. Today, monuments are cleaned with high-pressure steam. It goes without
saying that such treatments increase the value and image of a building.
