Preservation of cultural heritage: the design of low-energy archival storage

Abstract

The preservation of important cultural collections in museums, galleries, libraries etc. provides a legacy for future generations to research and experience their heritage. Guidance and standards for the design of archival storage facilities have typically focused on the provision of a controlled, unfluctuating internal environment. However, the latest revision of PD5454 “Guide for the storage and exhibition of archival materials” published by the British Standards Institution encourages designers to consider passive design approaches to reduce energy consumption. This paper reviews the key elements of the PD5454 document relevant to the environmental design of archives, and temperature stability metrics are proposed for assessing alternative passive design options. Analysis of a case study building designed by Atkins is used to illustrate the application of the proposed metrics. The paper concludes by considering issues to consider for the future development of thermal performance metrics for archives.