The restoration of the wooden entrance door of the residential building of Dr. Mieczysław Teodorowicz at 7 Arkhitektorska Street has been completed in Lviv.
The door is one of the building’s distinctive architectural features. It consists of a double-leaf wooden entrance door with an internal vestibule and two large transom windows positioned one above the other. Although the structure has survived to the present day, its condition required significant conservation and restoration work.
Before the restoration began, the wood had suffered substantial deterioration due to prolonged exposure to weather conditions and numerous previous repairs. The lower sections of the door had lost material, the structure had weakened, and multiple layers of paint completely obscured its original appearance.
The restoration was carried out by Lviv-based conservator and restorer Maksym Chornyi. One of the most interesting outcomes of the project was the discovery of the door’s authentic historic finish. During the removal of later paint layers, restorers were able to study the original coating and recreate the characteristic appearance of the entrance door. The numerous layers of overpainting proved to be one of the greatest challenges, as they not only distorted the historic appearance but also hindered the natural functioning of the wood.
The restoration process also revealed a significant number of inappropriate alterations accumulated over decades. Various non-original metal elements, remnants of old fixings, multiple lock cut-outs, and other intrusive additions that had damaged the historic fabric of the door were carefully removed.
Special attention was paid to the glazing. The original bevelled glass had previously been replaced with ordinary glass, while some glazing elements were damaged or missing altogether. As part of the restoration, these issues were addressed, helping to restore the door’s historic integrity and visual coherence.
Following cleaning, all wooden elements underwent comprehensive biocidal and fire-retardant treatment. The restorers consolidated weakened sections of timber, reconstructed missing fragments, and reinforced structural joints. New inserts were crafted with careful consideration for the historic material and toned to blend harmoniously with the original fabric.
The restoration of the metal hardware was another important component of the project. Historic hinges, fasteners, and other metal elements were cleaned of paint deposits and corrosion, conserved, and coated with a protective finish. This work not only restored their appearance but also extended their lifespan.
Once the conservation work was completed, the door was reassembled and finished with protective treatments based on linseed oil, followed by varnishing and waxing. These measures helped restore the historic appearance of the door while ensuring long-term protection against future deterioration.
The total cost of the restoration amounted to UAH 132,990.
The residents contributed UAH 39,897.
Funding provided through the “Art Nouveau as a New EUtopia” programme amounted to UAH 93,093.
Today, the entrance door at 7 Arkhitektorska Street once again serves as a prominent feature of the building and an important element of Lviv’s historic urban environment. Its restoration is another example of how the commitment of residents and the work of skilled restorers help preserve the city’s authentic architectural heritage for future generations.
