The roof in its current condition is a cause for serious concern. Along the perimeter a section of a rotten beam has been cut out, in one place it is leaking, cross-timbers in the binding transverse wall have been sawn off, not to mention various amateur alterations. Clearly, it is easier to build a completely new roof. In addition, the problem of insulating the attic rooms must also be solved.
The roof structure originally used beams made of coniferous wood. These are planned to be replaced with oak beams based on the existing construction while preserving the traditional structural concept.
Inside the attic, the sloping roof is lined with clay-and-straw plaster, and the cavity within the roof slope is filled with wood chips.
On the outside the roof is covered with slate using the traditional Old German roofing technique with blunt cut edges.
The roof has been repaired several times over the past hundred years. After removing the plaster, various structural irregularities became visible. Originally, the southeast tower had only two dormer windows on the roof level. Later, two additional triple dormers and one quadruple dormer were installed around the perimeter. These hardly harmonize with the external appearance of the building and were poorly executed from a professional standpoint. This is therefore another reason for the reconstruction.
In order to design the roof symmetrically in relation to the southwest corner, the gable of the end wall must be rebuilt.
The planned roof type will remain a mansard roof, as it is today. The roof framework is designed as a lying roof structure. In the mansard level, a mixed system of horizontal, inclined and vertical beams will be used. The ridge purlin is expected to transfer loads via two supports located near the chimney. The dormer above the southwest corner will be designed in the French Guitarde style. Above the stairwell, a concave conical roof is planned.
The optimal placement of solar panels influenced the shape of the roof. For this reason, the ridge is not positioned exactly in the center but is slightly shifted toward the northern side.
The roof above the stairwell will be covered with copper sheet. For structural reasons, the roof of the southwest tower may be executed either as a combination of copper sheet and slate or entirely in copper. The remaining roof surfaces will be covered with slate using the traditional Old German technique with blunt cut edges.
In the newly designed roof, the position and size of the windows must be strictly aligned with the axes of the façade windows.
Two dormer windows will be constructed here from fired brick, as in the existing building.
A double dormer window made of wood will be built here. Its upper surface will be covered with copper sheet.
Above the corner, a dormer window will be constructed using the Guitarde technique.
Above the Guitarde dormer, a circular floor-to-ceiling window will be installed.
This dormer window should be positioned along the axis of the windows in the restroom.
While clearing the attic we discovered a cast-iron window. This is an invaluable model for attic vent windows. Several openings of this type should be created in the attic.
In order to make the spatial perception of the upper-floor salon more expressive and picturesque, an atrium will be created — an opening in the ceiling between the floor and the attic.
Istvanplatz in front of the Victor Dietel apartment building in Greiz — a Istvan Sky memorial project.
Repair and restoration of bracket clock with a verge escapement, is activated by a fusee (snail) and chain.
Threading attachment for Schaublin 70 handmade 2016 by Alexander Babel.
Car-PC for Mercedes Е Klasse W211. Designed and manufactured 2014
Alexander Babel is autodidakt as designer, engineer, precision mechanic, toolmaker, watchmaker and goldsmith.