St. Petri: Successful Tower Renovation
Thanks to careful planning, thorough preliminary investigations and a professional implementation, the renovation of the St. Petri tower was a huge success. The renovation concept was developed after an extensive analysis phase of the existing damage, focusing not only on aesthetically improving the building, but also on protecting it from further damage in the long term.
The challenges of renovating the 12th-century church were varied: Moisture had caused cracks in the brick masonry, particularly in the parapets and cornices. Large parts of the building were damaged by frost damage and moisture exposure.
Measures
A priority during the implementation of the project was to use a range of materials and techniques that are most appropriate for historical preservation. For example, high-burn gypsum mortar, which had already been used in previous restoration phases, was employed again.
This mortar proved to be particularly compatible with the historic brick masonry and helped to preserve the appearance of the church.
- Replacement of 45,000 damaged bricks
- Repointing large parts of the tower with high-burn gypsum mortar
- Restoration of natural stone cornices and masonry anchors
- Securing the services and tracery of the windows
- Redesign of the lightning protection system
Facts & Stats
Implementation
2013 to 2019, in three construction phases
Costs
2.5 million euros
Project Management
Christoph Diebold, Architect, Lübeck
Good to know
Good planning paid off: Through efficient cost management and favorable weather conditions, 300,000 euros were saved from the originally estimated sum of 2.8 million euros.
St. Petri is the only church in the city center with an elevator to the observation platform: Special consideration was given to monument preservation as well as fire and lightning protection during the renovation.