Glass and painting with respect for rich history

In just one and a half years, the Hollandsche Schouwburg and former Hervormde Kweekschool in Amsterdam underwent extensive renovation and restoration. An important part of the work was the glass and painting work, which was commissioned by Bouwbedrijf M.J. de Nijs en Zonen and carried out by Glasprojecten De Boer Obdam BV and Schilderwerken De Boer Obdam BV on the basis of many years of cooperation and good relations.

The wooden facade parts of the Hollandsche Schouwburg counted many layers of paint, says Ad de Boer, director of combination company De Boer Obdam BV. "The condition of these layers of paint was so bad that it was decided to sand all the frames, windows and gutters bare down to the woodwork and put on a completely new paint system." In addition, because the windows still had old single-pane glass, all of the glass was replaced. "Then the windows were rebuilt with a Sigma S2U Primer and a Sigma S2U Satin silk-gloss lacquer paint. In fact, both architectural firm Office Winhov and Stichting Hollandsche Schouwburg preferred a eiglans finish."

Mineral facade paint

Following the woodwork, the 29 (!) old coats of paint were also removed from the facade, says De Boer. "Because of the multiple layers, cracks and tears were more the rule than the exception. A specialist company carefully removed the old layers, after which we put a new keim system on the facade walls and ornaments." To restore the facades of the Hollandsche Schouwburg to their former glory, the Hollandsche Schouwburg Foundation and Monumentenzorg conducted an extensive color study.

New coating

Following on from the outer shell, De Boer Obdam BV also carried out all the paint work on the inner shell. Think for example of the saucing of walls and varnishing of window frames. "In addition, we were responsible for the glass and painting work in and around the former Reformed Teachers' School," says De Boer. "De Nijs removed two floors of the building and re-bricked the front facade. In the process, all the appropriate window frames were replaced and given a new coat of paint in a 'standard' system. The same is true of the other frames, windows, doors and gutters. All exterior glazing was replaced with insulated glass with a high solar factor, so that the sun does not affect the museum collection." Because the detailing of the windows in the Hollandsche Schouwburg did not allow for insulation glass, single-glazing and a separate thin insulation system were chosen here.