Castle restored for good

The future use of the castle as a living and cultural center for older people brings about the extensive re-novation and modernization.
To permanently protect the historical building structure and in response to the general conditions, specific ex-perience and expert knowledge are of utmost impor-tance.
Initially, the damage had to be documented and the building structures and building materials were ana-lyzed.
Over the centuries the 1.50 m thick brick exterior walls suffered rising damp and environmental influences which led to strong salt contaminations and outbreaks. Constantly repeated renovations carried out with con-ventional render systems could not withstand the strong salt contamination.
The moisture analysis, carried out by the Strikolith Company, showed a strong capillary rising humidity damp to a height of 4 meters.

Van Hoogvest the architectural firm from Utrecht re-sponsible for the alteration therefore chose together with the Dutch building materials specialist Strikolith BV, the moisture regulating render Exzellent of MC-Bauchemie.
For more than 14 years the structural and physical out-standing material has been successfully used for reno-vations of historic buildings. Due to special additives and unique pore geometry, the render possesses an extremely permeable structure.
The pore geometry, combined with the high lime con-tent of the non hydrophobic render, allows for an up to 15-times higher evaporation performance in compari-son to conventional restoration render.

Thus, the masonry moisture can reach the render sur-face hindrance free. The contained harmful salts are removed; they can no longer accumulate and cause damage to the buildings structure.
Therefore, Exzellent the moisture regulating render is highly regarded by planners and processors as an effi-cient and cost-effective protection for the renovation of wet masonry and damp walls in the interior and exte-rior area. Due to the unique pore geometry the render always remains open-pored and dry on its surface. Ex-zellent has proven with its simple application process-ing, short drying times, high ground resistance stability strength and a low shrinkage level. Its low weight al-lows for a very thick application. All the structural, physical and technical application characteristics are also made possible due to the aggregate Poraver. The Exzellent moisture regulating render can be effectively used in brick masonry, concrete, broken bricks and concrete blocks.

Specialist counseling for an effective result:
Frank Kißner, MC Exzellent Consultant, was at the meeting of the parties involved in the construction for analyses and the application of the Exzellent moisture regulating plaster.
After removing the loose parts on the exterior the ren-der was applied in four layers. The first layer a scratch coat was directly sprayed on to the wet brick, followed by two rendering processes with white machine applied render. The finale layer was a colorized fine skim coat. All layers together amount to a thickness of 4 cm. Due to the short drying time the working hours are reduced as well, eliminating the wasteful day per application constraints.

In the areas close to the ground, where the exterior walls are up to 1.50 meters thick, a heavy bitumen lin-ing as a vertical barrier was installed.

The restoration plan:
The extensive renovation work was divided into three phases: From December 2007 to June 2008 the out-side of the northern and western facade was com-pletely overhauled with render and the attic expanded. Then, by the end of 2008, the southern and eastern fa-cades were newly plastered. In 2009, the interior reno-vations follow. The completion is scheduled for August 2009.

History:
Castle Beverweerd is situated on a small island in an old Rhine tributary, about 10 km west of the Dutch city of Utrecht. Originally there was only a rectangular tower probably built in the late 13 Century. To this day it is still the core of the castle.
Over the centuries Beverweerd was expanded and several times heightened by the construction of addi-tional towers and connecting extensions that morphed into a castle complex.
Between 1835 and 1862 the complex underwent a renovation in the neo-Gothic style. The architect Chris-tiaan Klamm oversaw after the renovation.

In its developing history Beverweerd had been vacant for the last several years.

Future Use:
In September of 2006, the castle complex was pur-chased by the Foundation Philadelphia Vegetarisch Centrum to create a special facility for elderly people with a strict vegetarian ethos. For this purpose, 60 to 80 residential units are built. Other uses in the form of offices, restaurants and cultural institutions are being examined.