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Expertise built
on experience
and responsibility

Our solutions are based on research, practical experience and long-term cooperation with leading cultural heritage institutions.

Since 2008, we have worked closely with the National Library of the Czech Republic. Its multipurpose vacuum chamber is a unique facility designed to let conservators dry, disinfect and subsequently acclimatise a wide range of documents (paper, volumes, books, wood, leather and more) in a single device using all established drying methods.

Kohout engineering provides technical operation and continued development of the facility. Our specialists also collaborate on scientific projects.

The chamber has played a major role in saving valuable documents damaged by catastrophic floods.

Key facts:

  • More than 9,600 books have been dried and preserved for future generations
  • The oldest book dated from the mid-18th century
  • More than 400 rescued books were manuscripts
  • More than 1,100 books were bound in leather
  • The largest book measured 480 x 380 x 100 mm and weighed 15 kg
  • The smallest book measured 100 x 70 x 10 mm and weighed 60 g
  • The chamber successfully dried 500 rare historical drawings measuring 1820 x 1200 mm from the National Technical Museum in Prague
  • It can also preserve statues, furniture and other wooden objects affected by wood-destroying pests

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