The masters in Facades' restoration prepare for St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary
 "Lapin Enterprise" company occupies strong positions among the restoration-construction firms leading the works on facades in the historical center of St. Petersburg.
Having confirmed for seven years their qualification, the specialists of "Lapin Enterprise" today participate in the projects that are marked to be carried out due to St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary.
About the most interesting works that the company is leading, about the technologies and materials used in facades restoration speaks General Director of "Lapin Enterprise" Alexei Stanislavovich Lapin.
- Alexei Stanislavovich, what kind of the facade work does "Lapin Enterprise" company? What objects do you restore during this pre-jubilee year?
Our firm does the whole complex of the facade works: investigation of the facade, cleaning, placing a plaster layer and special painting.
For each monument, together with the Committee on the Preservation of Monuments, "Spetsprojectrestavracia" research institute and our clients we choose an individual restoration program.
Among this year objects are the Andreevsky Cathedral, the Annunciation Church on the Basil Island, Manege and outbuilding of the former Cadet Military School on Universitetskaya embankment, the Shostakovich Philpharmonic Hall, the residence of government located on the Kamenny Island. We also restore the buildings the R.T.O. works on Obvodny Channel and the facades of the Mariinsky Palace. Restoring historical facades our company takes part only in the programs with enough level of financing which allow us to use import materials of high quality. Unfortunately, the funds of the Committee on Maintenance of Dwellings do not provide such an opportunity.
We deal not only with historical buildings but do the facade works for newly constructed buildings as well. In particular, through the order of "Adamant" company we are finishing the facades of three trading centers.
- Which of the facades turned out to be the most difficult to deal with?
The most difficult object was the Andreevsky Cathedral. Before scaffolding was erected it was difficult to assess the state of the monument. As a result the amount of work almost doubled for us. Half of the facades it was necessary to plaster anew.
- I suppose you must have a solution of how in such an emergency situation to ensure a worth view for the federal monument?
In such a situation we do not apply filling. According to the rules, the plaster layer must stir for three months, in St. Petersburg it is impossible to keep up with such a norm. The construction season here lasts for six months and one has to accomplish all the construction work in such a short time! We use silicon paint that provides good result in concise works.
- What is the peculiarity of other materials applied today for the facade works in St. Petersburg?
I share the opinion of St. Petersburg's technologists who advertise the silicate programs. They are for the long-run and provide "100%" steam-permeability that allows for a monument to "breath". Though while using silicate, one encounters some particular difficulties. First of all, it is necessary to totally clear the facade from the former layers of paint. Second, all the building one has to paint at one time, and sun-beams and humid must not touch it. Besides, if on the painted by silicate paint facade a slant rain will come, the facade will look variegated when it is dry. Due to this peculiarities, commercial customers rarely agree to use this material.
Lime paint - the material that was used to paint the city facades before the revolution - is yet comes into the St. Petersburg market. There are no stable suppliers of the import lime paint. To use the national lime paint, except for the plaster mixtures, I would not recommend.
- What is the measure of the company's responsibility before the client?
The guarantee on the facades worked over by "Lapin Enterprise" comprises five years. Our staff of experienced workers, professional equipment (comprising a large stock of scaffolding - 8,000 sq. m.), good business relations with the suppliers and technologists, all this provides us with an opportunity to fulfill federal and commercial orders in time.
//Elena Kuznetsova
Journal "Constructions and city economy in St. Petersburg and Leningradskaya Oblast" №55 (August) 2002
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