When we talk about a companionway, the dictionary defines it as "decline, decay or narrow, steep stairs..." And it is precisely the latter that describes the basement companionway of the building at Schulze-Delitzsch-Straße 29 - a narrow, steep, outdated access to the building's basement that is in need of repair.
At the end of 2011, the sidewalk and bin area in the complex were renewed. This meant that old exposed aggregate concrete slabs were removed and new, tumbled anthracite paving was laid right up to the old cellar walkway. As part of the decided "beautification measure", the very compact-looking wooden entrance door was also replaced with a thermally insulated, modern aluminum door element with large clear glass panes and an integrated letterbox system at the beginning of 2012. One thing sometimes leads to another - especially in a somewhat older house. And so, at the end of 2012, the resulting view into the interior of the house provided the impetus for a staircase renovation.
Things continued in 2013 - the owners decided to build a bicycle parking space next to the entrance area in spring 2014 and to renovate the aforementioned basement staircase.
to this end, the concrete retaining wall of the companionway, including railings and steps, was first demolished using large equipment (although it was a mini excavator). The paving that had already been renewed in 2011 was then taken up and - as the saying goes - stored on site so that it could then be reinstalled. A new retaining wall was created using granite pillars, the cellar access was widened at the same time and an appropriate slope was created from the outside cellar door to the sidewalk. Finally, a hot-dip galvanized railing was installed and a handrail fitted to the façade. This is how the new, wider and above all barrier-free access to the cellar now presents itself. Without having to perform any great acrobatic feats, residents can now easily push their bicycles in and out of the bicycle storage room (this has already been successfully tested several times).
this is how quickly a basement staircase can become a basement staircase, which is not only well received by the residents of Schulze-Delitzsch-Straße 29, but has already served as a model for other communities for future measures.
