The reconstruction of the Tugendhat villa continues with the roof repair

photo: David Židlický

Brno - Only a temporary roof will protect the precious Tugendhat villa in Brno from the whims of the weather in the coming days. The construction workers, who are working on the overall renovation of the villa, will remove a quarter of the roof area every day starting today and will cover the exposed part with temporary roofing. They cannot proceed any faster to avoid being caught off guard by the rain. After half a year since the start of the repairs, almost all non-original materials and extensions have been removed from the villa. This was stated today by site manager Michal Malásek during a site inspection.
    Malásek admitted that the renovation of the villa listed on the UNESCO list exceeds ordinary work tasks and presents a challenge for the builders every day. "But I can say that in about 80 percent of cases, we already know how to handle it," said Malásek. Unresolved questions include the restoration of furniture, the use of interior textiles, fittings, and glass that should resemble the original as much as possible. The same applies to all materials and elements used in the villa. The builders are sourcing them with conservators from all over Europe.
    The roof repair is expected to last until around mid-October. The temporary metal roof has also covered the terrace of the villa, where there was poor insulation. "A new insulating bathtub needs to be laid here to prevent any moisture from entering the building," stated Iveta Černá, head of the villa management. Workers are also repairing the sewage system, which was damaged in several places. They are trying to do it in a way that does not destroy the original floors and plasters.
    A walk through the villa, which is currently closed to the public and even journalists are not allowed inside, essentially provides only a view of bare walls. All elements that will remain in the villa after the renovation are covered with plastic sheeting to prevent damage during rough work. Scaffolding towers around most of the villa. In a part of the well-kept garden, construction materials are piling up. The view of the villa from Černopolní Street, where the main entrance is located, is blocked by construction cells.
    The reconstruction is scheduled to be completed in February 2012, when a study and documentation center will also open in the villa. We will meet the deadline, Černá said today. However, it is possible that due to various "surprises" and unexpected complications, the originally planned order of construction and restoration work may change.
    The renovation of the Tugendhat villa, which is the only Czech work of modern art listed on the UNESCO list, will be largely funded by European grants. The total amount is 156 million crowns. "The restoration can be followed on the website, where all information and extensive photographic documentation are available," Černá noted.
    The villa was designed by the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Tugendhat family enjoyed the house for only eight years. They emigrated out of fear of the Nazis. When they left the house, it was variously used and later rebuilt, not always considerately. Nevertheless, the building remains the most authentic work of the architect on the European continent, Černá recently stated.