There are also flat arches where the lower courses have been secured with inserted reinforcing steel. Normally, an existing arch is not bricked up but simply covered. If there is an arch, you cannot create a new one right next to it. The idea behind arches and masonry in general is that point loads from above are distributed over a longer distance. Masonry acts as panels.
Thank you!
And how can I proceed practically? Can a builder somehow find out how the wall is constructed without opening it up a bit? We won't take possession of the apartment until October, and the current owner is unlikely to be very happy if I suggest it. She might be willing to let a builder inspect the wall visually, but I assume more is needed to be sure?
I've tried to find contact details for the previous apartment owner on the floor above who made the same modifications, but can't find any. And the association can't provide contact details due to GDPR either.
/ Anton
And how can I proceed practically? Can a builder somehow find out how the wall is constructed without opening it up a bit? We won't take possession of the apartment until October, and the current owner is unlikely to be very happy if I suggest it. She might be willing to let a builder inspect the wall visually, but I assume more is needed to be sure?
I've tried to find contact details for the previous apartment owner on the floor above who made the same modifications, but can't find any. And the association can't provide contact details due to GDPR either.
/ Anton
Why such a panic? Personally, I find it difficult to understand the idea of buying an apartment in a beautiful turn-of-the-century building, only to be completely focused on tearing down walls before having any opportunity to experience how it is. Be like a cat; despite a short lifespan of around 15 years, it takes a cat several years to settle in and decide if it likes the circumstances.
Move in, live for a while; you might come to appreciate the layout as it is. Otherwise, there are probably other apartments of the type you prefer. If that's not an option, just bring in an expert who can assess the conditions on site.
Move in, live for a while; you might come to appreciate the layout as it is. Otherwise, there are probably other apartments of the type you prefer. If that's not an option, just bring in an expert who can assess the conditions on site.
It's not really a panic situation, but turn-of-the-century apartments unfortunately often have weird layouts, and they are also expensive, which makes it impossible to meet all the criteria one has beforehand.
In this case, we had to compromise on the size of the bathroom when we bought the apartment. As we are expecting an addition to the family, it feels quite important to be able to fit a washing machine in the apartment.
To expand the bathroom in the most appropriate way, a doorway in a load-bearing wall needs to be moved by a meter to take space from the large hallway. I don't think it will directly affect how the apartment is perceived or feels, rather just that we are using its space and size better if the project is feasible.
In this case, we had to compromise on the size of the bathroom when we bought the apartment. As we are expecting an addition to the family, it feels quite important to be able to fit a washing machine in the apartment.
To expand the bathroom in the most appropriate way, a doorway in a load-bearing wall needs to be moved by a meter to take space from the large hallway. I don't think it will directly affect how the apartment is perceived or feels, rather just that we are using its space and size better if the project is feasible.
The drawings likely contain what a designer needs to know. Personally, I don't think the benefit of moving the door justifies the costs and efforts. Use the entrance via the living room. That way, you'll also have more space for a good kitchen solution. The time is past when traffic to the kitchen shouldn't be noticeable. A larger bathroom is much more important.