If we can just succeed in waterproofing the building and stabilising the atmosphere, that may soon become possible".
They also revived the lost art of making qudad, a plaster of lime and cinder historically used to waterproof Yemeni buildings.
When he installs a new room or waterproofs a building exterior, the cost of these improvements are passed along to the stabilized tenants with rents below market, but "those at market don't get charged".
The £5m flood defence investment will see the company install its own generator in case power supplies are cut off, waterproof the buildings' outer walls and install gates or hydraulic barriers that can seal doorways and other entrances against flooding.
Its product include concrete, roofing, waterproofing, flooring, building components, tooling and composites, and gypsum and mortar additives.
They not only completed the job but waterproofed the building too.
Ando and his team also made the building waterproof – an obvious necessity in the most canal-bound city in the world, where "acqua alta" is a regular hazard – and added concrete flooring.
Bituminous material is widely utilized in building waterproof, pavement engineering, etc.
They installed waterproofing around the building's original foundation, restored the original fanlight above the front door and bought antique windows and doors from architectural salvage dealers.
This holistic design will fulfill the basic functions of the building envelope: waterproofing, insulation, and structural strength and durability, while simultaneously producing energy and reducing energy consumption to achieve a high degree of energy efficiency and sustainability.
