The Ventoseflat in the Dutch city of Eindhoven is a unique monument with an extraordinary history. Originally started as a cigar-factory it was transformed almost 100 years ago to a housing complex by the famous “Amsterdamse School” architect J.M. van der Mey.
The restoration - especially the facades- was a complex process. Previous renovations resulted in the disappearance of the original windows and most of the iron ornaments. The most impressive however was the thick layer of paint that was applied on the façade in a failed attempt to update the looks of the building. These interventions in combination with many years of poor maintenance resulted in a situation in which most people were unable to recognise the Ventoseflat as monument.