Open Wide Open: Who and Why is Restoring Antique Doors

Contents:

• Team
• Doors
• Meanings

"Doors from Dumps" is a team of six, including three founders and three employees, working in a single workshop. We restore pre-revolutionary wooden doors, preserving their uniqueness and historical value. Our collection includes doors salvaged from old apartments and entryways. Some remain in the workshop awaiting the right moment, while others are returned to their owners. However, it is important to note that these doors will never be installed in modern interiors, which makes them even more valuable to lovers of antiques and history.

Why is the Venice Charter important? We discussed this with Valentina Mann, co-founder of the "Doors from Dumps" project. The Venice Charter, adopted in 1964, serves as a framework for preserving the historical heritage and architectural appearance of cities. The "Doors from Dumps" project actively utilizes the ideas laid out in this document, focusing on the sustainable use of resources and the preservation of cultural heritage. We discussed how the principles of the Venice Charter are applied in the modern context and what role they play in restoration and recycling projects.

The Team

Valentina Mann is a microelectronics engineer by education. Andrey Troshkov, an engineer with experience in hydroelectric power plants, worked on turbine design. Alexander Artemyev, an environmental designer, completed his studies at the Stieglitz Academy. These three specialists met in 2019 at the Tom Sawyer Fest. They share not only professional experience but also a passion for innovation in their fields.

Valentina recalls coming across some discarded old doors on her way to an event. She took a photo and posted it on social media, expressing regret at the careless treatment of historical heritage. On her way home, Valentina noticed the doors being loaded into a car. Intrigued, she learned they were being collected by the curators of the "Tom Sawyer Day" project. The photo and location were found in her stories. This is how the idea for a new project, "Doors from Dumps," was born. It aims to restore and preserve historical objects, drawing attention to the problems of recycling and preserving cultural heritage.

Five years ago, we faced a lack of workshop space, equipment, experience, and reputation in the field of door and window restoration. At that time, we realized that combining our main work with restoration was impossible. Initially, we thought it was possible, but soon realized that successful restoration requires full dedication. Restoration requires daily attention and a professional approach, otherwise it is better not to start.

Over time, a workshop was organized - a rented space, Where all the project participants work. "I've never done manual labor. Although I wouldn't say I'm a desk jockey, I'm more of a creative person. Maybe I did some housework or, as a child in the village, I might have chopped wood. But I've never worked with chisels, scrapers, hair dryers, or putty knives. That was something from another reality."

During my work I had to deal with difficulties such as burns from a hair dryer and splinters on my hands. The initial results were often disappointing, and the learning process turned out to be quite difficult.

We talked to restorers, and their attitude to wooden doors and We were disappointed with the windows. Restoring a painting or a 19th-century German cabinet is certainly interesting, but doors and windows are perceived as insignificant objects that are better replaced. This opinion of one of the specialists I spoke with made a strong impression on me. It was painful for me to hear such words, because many who work with heritage should value it. However, after time and after watching numerous videos, we finally found people who share the philosophy of the founders of the "Doors from Dumps" project. These specialists understand the importance of preserving historical doors and windows, their uniqueness and cultural value.

Doors

The "Doors from Dumps" project workshop currently has about 30 doors awaiting restoration. The restoration process for one object takes two to three months. During their work, our restorers have processed more than two thousand pre-revolutionary doors and windows, returning them to their former beauty and functionality. We strive to preserve the historical heritage and extend the lifespan of these unique interior items.

The "Doors from Dumps" project began with an active collection of doors abandoned by city residents. The founders and volunteers responded to requests from residents, who sent photos and provided addresses where they had seen discarded doors. It was important to respond quickly to ensure collection before the trash collection. The collection included not only apartment and interior doors but also front doors, which could also end up on the street. The project aims to rescue these items and their subsequent recycling, which helps reduce waste and supports the idea of ​​sustainable development.

The project does not usually highlight individual doors and their unique stories, as the authors are convinced that every pre-revolutionary door or window conceals fascinating facts. For example, photographs taken at a landfill were once published on the project's social media. The image featured a green trash container, next to door arches sawn into three pieces. Similar images have been submitted to the "Doors from Dumps" project on numerous occasions, but it was in these photographs that the unique paintings were revealed, emphasizing the value and history of each detail.

Valentina recalls how surprised they were by the paintings on the doors, which they saw for the first time. Their first thought was that a contemporary artist had chosen to decorate the antique doors. Curiosity prompted her and her colleagues to search for these doors at night. After collecting the cut fragments, the restorers noticed that the doors were unusually tall and massive, casting doubt on their previous location. Such doors would hardly have been used in an ordinary apartment. The next day, the "Doors from Dumps" project posted photos of the mysterious door on its profile and asked its followers to help identify its origin. The answer was immediate: the doors turned out to have come from a mansion on Kuznechny Lane. They are currently in the "Doors from Dumps" project's workshop, where restoration and preservation of their historical value are ongoing.

Currently, doors found in landfills are rarely collected. The reasons are a lack of storage space and limited time. The company "Doors from Dumpsters" restores antique doors to order for a fee. Its main clients are owners of apartments in historic buildings, as well as those seeking to preserve the memory of their loved ones who lived in old apartments. Restored doors not only emphasize the uniqueness of the interior, but also preserve cultural heritage.

We restore and repair any pre-revolutionary doors, including doors for bathrooms, rooms, apartments and front entrances. Working with front doors is the most challenging process, as they are shared property for many residents. Negotiating the necessary work and financing is often a difficult task. However, we have experience working with several front doors and are confident in the quality of our services.

Concept

To the common question, "Why restore when you can replace?" the team at the "Doors from Dumps" project confidently answers: replacement is not the answer. There are no equivalents to these doors. Pre-revolutionary doors are attractive not only for their unique aesthetics but also for their quality characteristics. They are usually made of solid larch, which makes them strong and durable. In the hands of experienced craftsmen, these doors can remove layers of oil paint and signs of wear, restoring their original beauty and functionality. Restoring such items not only preserves their historical value but also allows you to create a unique interior imbued with character and style.

Wood restoration specialists also pay attention to hardware. They restore bolts, locks, handles, and decorative cremonas, returning them to their original appearance and functionality. Cast iron and brass elements, thanks to their resistance to rust and paint damage, can last for many years, making them ideal for repairing and updating antique furniture and doors. Restored fittings not only improve the appearance of products, but also contribute to their durability.

In her work The restorers of the "Doors from Dumps" project are guided by the principles of the Venice Charter. This document is a set of rules and tenets developed by architects and restorers of post-war Europe. One of the key principles is that the objects must be of the same period as they were built. In accordance with this concept, the project does not restore doors and windows for new, unrestored interiors. This rule applies even when restoring doors commercially that have not previously been salvaged. Thus, the project emphasizes the preservation of historical heritage and emphasizes the importance of respecting cultural traditions in restoration.We understand that selling restored doors for new interiors can generate quick profits, but we've chosen a different path. We care about the doors installed in apartments, and we strive to ensure a better future for those we've rescued from demolition workers or recovered from the PUHTO. Our goal is to return these doors to historic interiors. Watching communal apartments transform into elegant pre-revolutionary spaces is what inspires us. New buildings, unfortunately, cannot offer such an impressive effect.

The participants evaluate the success of the project not only from a financial point of view. The main achievement is changing the perception of restoration.

I hope that the process of restoring and preserving historical heritage is just beginning to develop. We are seeing an increase in the number of craftsmen skilled in working with unique architectural objects. Today, specialists skilled in working with traditional materials and technologies are in short supply. However, more and more people are buying old houses in remote areas, striving to preserve their authenticity. Interest in the historical interiors of inherited apartments is also growing. I am inspired when such people mention projects like "Doors from Dumps" and share their desire to restore something unique. This confirms that interest in preserving cultural heritage is truly growing.

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