Temperature and relative humidity conditions at museums

This paper deals with the results of a research carried out at Conservation institutions and based on a bibliographic study.

Indoor air pollution in museum display cases

Formic acid and acetic acid are indoor air pollutants that will engage in corrosion or othermaterial deterioration processes. Objects attacked by these compounds can be destroyedbeyond rescue by any conservation treatment. This is a special concern in the museumenvironment, as these acids are emitted from a range of display construction materials,including wood products. It is demonstrated that high concentrations of those acids can beobtained in confined spaces, such as cases, which often are characterized by a low airexchange rate and a high inner surface to volume ratio.

Window condensation in historic buildings that have been adapted for new uses

Measurement were operated in Ottawa’s Laurier House (an historical house built in 1878 now being a museum) to determine the temperature and humidity conditions under which condensation occurs on ‘historic’ windows. Results lead to recommendations for oper

Sustainable architecture and energy efficiency in a retrofitted museum

The Portuguese National Museum for Archaeology is undergoing an expansion and retrofitting. It is currently housed in one of the most important ancient monuments in Portugal: the Monastery of Jernimos. The authorities responsible for the museum, taking advantage of this retrofitting, decided to promote a modern and integrated design of the future archaeological museum. The architectural design aims to combine, aesthetically, the old and the new building, promoting sustainable architecture and energy efficiency (concerning, essentially, indoor climate, lighting and acoustical requirements).

Reconstruction for slovene ethnographic museum

Reconstruction of late 19 th century building for new Slovene Ethnographic Museum is presented. Interventions into building envelope and heating, cooling and lighting system from exhibits and visitors comfort and rational use of energy point of view were treated in the framework of EU and SI research programmes. An innovative heating-cooling system have been designed and tested.

Upgrading and retrofitting the Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois.

The Field Museum is a world-renowned natural science institution. It is housed in an 84,000 m 2 building constructed from 1917 to 1921. Housed in the building are scientific laboratories, specimen preparation facilities, resource centers, over twenty-one million specimens, public exhibits, educational venues and lecture halls, administrative areas and restaurants. This paper presents the approaches used by The Field Museum to bring itself forward into the 21 st Century. The process started in 1993 and includes significant modifications/ replacement/modernization of the HVAC systems.

DG XII programme: retrofitting of museums for antiquities in the Mediterranean countries.

This project has studied a selection of 16 typical museums for antiquities in five Mediterranean countries and was partly funded by the JOULE III of the European Commission DG XII. Through an elaborate analysis and complete refurbishment of the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, the programme has provided an example for an innovative museum design based on present-day know-how.

Indoor air quality in museums and historical buildings in St Petersburg and in north-west region of Russia.

This presentation deals with the problem of achieving stable microclimate in old buildings ofSt Petersburg - such as churches, museums and palaces. Characteristic traits of such buildingsare rather thick envelops which as a rule accumulate large quantities of heat or cold. Themajority of these buildings are equipped only with central water heating and are naturallyventilated.Experimental study of microclimate in buildings of this kind proves that during cold season(with average temperature -10C) the relative humidity there will be about 30-35% and less.

DG XII programme, retrofitting of museums for antiquities in the Mediterranean countries.

This project has studied a selection of 16 typical museums for antiquities in five Mediterranean countries and was partly funded by the JOULE III of the European Commission DG XII. Through an elaborate analysis and complete refurbishment of the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, the programme has provided an example for an innovative museum design based on present-day know-how.        

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