Description of the manor
Padure manor is the most beautiful building of Classicism architecture in Latvia and that is why it deserves a look. It retains original drawings on its walls, all original doors, windows, eight Classicism stoves, stairs and floors.
The house was built by a Scottish merchant John Lewis Balfour in 1838. Balfour family lived there till year 1921 when manor was nationalized. Between wars there was agriculture school located in the manor in which girls were taught housekeeping. After WWII scientists, to be more specific agriculturists, worked in the manor. At that time there also were apartments and a library in the manor.
Since 2007 manor is privately owned by Jānis Lazdāns who has established association “Padures muiža” which organizes restoration works in the manor. So far seven windows, eight doors, two stoves, entrance terrace, some part of walls, manor house kitchen, part of roof have been restored as well as the first water closet has been installed.
The manor often hosts concerts and cultural events to help raise funds. It also becomes increasingly popular as a tourism destination.
Project description
Our plan is to restore both dining room windows, what will provide the perfect insulation in wintertime. It will also make manor look more attractive and tidier. Windows are the eyes of house which shows the soul.
Situation
Currently, the window is in poor condition, the putty has fallen out and the wind is blowing through. The outer horizontal parts are crumbling. Internal the so-called winter windows are without panes, their metal parts are rusty. Restoring the window set would continue the work on the restoration of the dining room, which began with the restoration of the dining room oven and the large hall door leading to dining room.
Planned works
The windows consist of three outer sashes, one upper and two lowers. The blackout shutters are in good condition. Metal shutters have also disappeared, new ones will be made. Above the window and under the windowsill are filled with wooden panels that are cracked. They must be dismantled, glued, and put back. The lower horizontal parts of the outer sash require thorough restoration, as they are severely damaged over time. All the details must be cleaned of the old paint layer. Included in the work also linings on the inside of the wall.
I plan to perform the work in 3 stages. First prepare the inner sash, then disassemble the outer and when repaired window sashes, other finishes around the window.
Existing wooden parts must be repaired and restored. Window sashes are marked for restoration not to confuse its places. Carefully lift the window sash out of the jamb and move it to the workshop.
Close with temporary plywood. Remove the glass. The loose, unstable layers of paint on the window sash are removed with a cycle (scraper). Metal parts (hinges) will be dismantled. They will be heated at the beginning to make it easier to scrape off the rust and paint, then repeat the heating to the hot can be immersed in tar and the excess wiped off. Once the tar is dry, they covered with lead oxide. Lost and severely damaged areas should be prosthetized using a dry appropriate material, considering their constructive solution, and profiling. The prosthesis site is made with hand planers and chisels assistance. Defective pins are replaced with new ones. The largest cracks will be filled with linseed oil putty or prosthesis, without exaggerating with surface smoothness, the wood is old and should look like that. Performs sash fitting on the object. For glazing used historical thin glasses (3mm), reinforced with linseed oil putty. When painting the sash, the colour should be slightly above the putty on glass to prevent moisture from entering the putty. External metal parts are treated with lead mine.
Primer with hot linseed oil and turpentine liquid. Linseed oil should be well absorbed into the wood surface, but it should not create a shiny finish top layer. Painted with linseed oil. Apply only on completely dried primer. Painting should be a plan for this maintain flexibility, but at the same time it must be sufficiently covering to be able to be painted twice. The second round may contain 10% more oil. restored part according to the conclusions of the Architectural Artistic Research (AAR).
Budget
Any amount is important because every little step leads to the goal.
Minimum amount is 4250 euro which will help to restore one of the windows.
For 8’500 euro we can restore both windows.
We are
Association “Padures muiža” includes the owner of manor Jānis Lazdāns and the local enthusiasts of Padure village. In three years already are 100’000 euros have been invested in restoration jobs and popularisation of the manor. Jānis Lazdāns is vice-president of Latvian Association of Castles and Manors, member of ICOMOS.