During the full-scale invasion, Rauta implemented several of large-scale projects to restore damaged buildings, including the Retroville shopping mall in Kyiv, the workshop of the Chernihiv Automobile Plant, and the Novus supermarket in Bucha.
Despite the risks of war, the owners of these destroyed buildings invested in their reconstruction in order to restart the business quickly and that allowed the companies to continue efficient operation.
Rapid reconstruction became possible thanks to Rauta specialists’ knowledge of contemporary restoration technologies and deep understanding of all stages of reconstruction: survey, emergency works project development, dismantling, strengthening or replacement of emergency structures, etc.
During the rocket attack, about 30% of the facade area and 7% of the load-bearing structures of the shopping center’s roof were destroyed. The customer’s key task was to restore the facility quickly just in 5 months in order to complete the works before the start of the pre-New Year sales season.
Rauta conducted a comprehensive survey of the building’s structures, developed a restoration project and replaced the damaged wall sandwich panels and load-bearing trapezoidal roofing sheets. A feature of the project was the supply of sandwich panels with Hiarc coating, the color and type of which were identical to the supply in 2013, when the building was erected. Due to the fact that Hiarc coating is one of the most resistant to UV fading, there was no need to change the shade of the sandwich panels to a lighter one for the new delivery.
As a result of shelling, more than ten buildings on the territory of the enterprise were badly damaged, including the blacksmith workshop, which is critical for the plant operation. Load-bearing reinforced concrete trusses, columns and beams were broken by numerous fragments from the explosions in the workshop, as well as heavily damaged facade panels and translucent structures.
Rauta specialists conducted a comprehensive survey of the building and developed a project to strengthen the load-bearing structures, which quickly received a positive approval from the state experts. The reinforcement of the trusses was carried out using the technology of injecting steel bandages, and the complexity of the work was added by the fact that they were carried out at a height of 12 m.
An additional requirement of the investor was to increase the energy efficiency and architectural attractiveness of the building. Therefore, during the reconstruction of the plant, a facade decoration with insulation was developed in accordance with the customer’s architectural preferences. The old reinforced concrete wall panels were cladded with a modern 18 m high ventilated facade with Ruukki trapezoidal profile.
The total area of the facades was more than 17,000 m2, and the building restoration work was completed in 9 months. The peculiarity of the project was its implementation in conditions of a very limited budget, therefore Rauta specialists developed a number of individual solutions that allowed to significantly reduce costs while ensuring high durability of the structure.
During the military operations in Bucha, the supermarket building was heavily damaged by severe fire and debris, as a result about 30% of the wall sandwich panels were destroyed.
Rauta specialists made an site inspection, developed a facade restoration documentation, delivered new structures and supervised the installation. The entire complex of works was completed in record time – just in 2.5 months.
The peculiarity of the described projects implementation was that work began in April 2022, while most construction businesses were suspended, had difficulties with logistics, customs clearance and attracting installers, and investors were just beginning to recover from the first shock of a full-scale invasion.
Unlike new construction, restoration of facilities has many features at the stage of building inspection, development of the reconstruction design documentation, materials supply, execution of construction and installation works. This requires the restoration contractor to have specialized knowledge, appropriate permits and highly qualified specialists, so to reduce the risks of reconstruction, it is worth choosing only an experienced company.
