Ruttner House

Reborn from ruins

Veszprém's Art Nouveau building revivided

In the heart of Veszprém, Hungary, a remarkable transformation has breathed new life into an Art Nouveau merchant's house, turning it into a bustling hostel for school groups. With the invaluable contribution of Cemix Hungary's innovative products, the formerly deteriorating building underwent a comprehensive restoration. The Ruttner House, as it is known, will also serve as the Dungeon Museum's reception area after the museum's planned 2023 renovation.

Former merchant house in the midst of a stunning renovation

The former merchant's house now functions as a hostel, thanks to a successful renovation. The building, which was in disrepair for a long time, has been almost entirely transformed into a hostel primarily for school groups.

Additionally, the Ruttner House will serve as the reception area for the Dungeon Museum's upcoming 2023 renovation, acting as the entrance to the exhibition instead of the courthouse. The façade has been fully restored to its original splendor.

The two-story building underwent demineralization, roof repair, and new insulation installation. Inside, the dormitory has been converted into a hostel with a capacity of nearly 40 people, and a café was added on the ground floor.

The building's courtyard has also been renovated, and an elevator system was added for access to the Dungeon Museum, designed to harmonize with the rustic surroundings.

During the project, decorative paintings were uncovered in various rooms after months of restoration work, including images of a bridge, a mill building, and a wooded slope, likely representing Veszprém motifs.

Cemix played a crucial role in the renovation, mainly focusing on dry construction products for treating damp and salt-loaded walls, such as the WTA plaster system. The product portfolio was developed based on on-site samples and tests conducted in the company's laboratory.

On-site sampling and laboratory testing

For basement work, products like WTA Eurosan W water-dispersing primer, WTA Eurosan VS dry mortar, WTA Eurosan UP primer, and WTA Eurosan OP top coat were utilized. Above ground, Eurosan FP vapor permeable smoothing plaster and silicate paint were applied to the basement area.

On the inside, the same WTA system was used for walls affected by moisture, except for the water-dispersing primer.

The castle wall, which was essentially part of the building, required thick plastering and waterproofing. Eurosan AP levelling plaster was used to prepare the stone wall for Eurosan W waterproofing.

Cemix's SilikatTop facade paint was applied to the building's murals to ensure good vapor permeability, crucial for preventing moisture buildup.

Cemix also assisted with plastering vaults and restoring stucco ceilings using Eurosan EP drying plaster, Eurosan VS trowel, and perlite plasters to support the new stucco ceilings.

Congratulations to our project specialist ⁠Grósz Gergő (gergo.grosz@cemix.hu) for this magnificant object.