Low-Energy Museum Storage

Poul Klenz Larsen, Morten Ryhl-Svendsen

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Abstract

The energy needed for climate control in a museum storage building can be greatly reduced by allowing a moderate annual temperature cycle. The energy saving is achieved partly by abandoning heating or cooling and partly by a less strict humidity control. Temperature moderation can be provided by the building itself. The proposed system is a highly thermally insulated building envelope with an uninsulated floor directly on the ground. The inside temperature is allowed to vary freely, buffered by the large heat store of the ground. Such a structure will completely even out the daily temperature variation and reduce the annual temperature amplitude to about half the average outside cycle. In a northern European temperate climate, the inside temperature will span less than 10°C. The relative humidity is buffered by hygroscopic materials or controlled by mechanical dehumidification. This climate control strategy relies on an almost airtight building with an air exchange rate of less than one air change per day and consumes annually as little as 1 kWh per cubic meter space. Relative humidity is easily controlled within the 40%–60% range, which is acceptable for most materials and conforms to all standards. Mechanical failure caused by this temperature variation is unlikely for most objects. However, some standards propose contradictory temperature limits. The reason might be due to recommendations that are intended for both storage and exhibition spaces, whereas temperature constancy is mainly for the benefit of human comfort and should be implemented only in permanently occupied buildings.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Mechanics of Art Materials and Its Future in Heritage Science
EditorsDawn Rogala, Paula DePriest, Elena Charola, Robert Koestler
Place of PublicationWashington, D.C.
PublisherSmithsonian Institution Scholarly Press
Publication date9 Dec 2019
Pages57-64
ISBN (Print)1949-2359
ISBN (Electronic)1949-2367
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Dec 2019
EventThe Mechanics of Art Materials and its Future in Heritage Science: A Seminar and Symposium - Smithsonian Institution and KADK, School of Conservation, Washington D.C., United States
Duration: 24 Oct 201625 Nov 2016

Seminar

SeminarThe Mechanics of Art Materials and its Future in Heritage Science
LocationSmithsonian Institution and KADK, School of Conservation
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington D.C.
Period24/10/201625/11/2016
SeriesSmithsonian Contributions to Museum Conservation
Number10

Artistic research

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