Coupling artworks preservation constraints with visitors’ environmental satisfaction: Results from an indoor microclimate assessment procedure in a historical museum building in central Italy

Abstract

Historical buildings represent one-third of the Italian stock and are often used as museums. Such buildings typically are not equipped with control systems and indoor microclimate does not guarantee a proper conservation of the building finishing and artworks. Additionally, conditions are far from visitors’ ideal indoor air quality (IAQ). This paper proposes a methodology for microclimate analysis that deals with artworks preservation and occupants' conditions optimization. The methodology consists of monitoring and data analysis using non-invasive equipment for the preservation of the building structure, artworks, and occupanst’ IAQ. To this aim, the monitoring of an Italian building was performed. The microclimate was monitored to characterize the environmental quality of the investigated area. Around 60% of the relative humidity values were higher than the target for occupants’ well-being and artworks preservation. Air temperature was stabilized by the thermal mass of the envelope, to reduce winter overcooling risks though. In winter, indeed, up to 40% of temperatures were below the limits for the artworks preservation. The CO₂ level was acceptable as it was always below 1000 ppm. The results showed how a careful control and monitoring protocol is needed when heritage buildings are used for artworks preservation and also with a requirement to meet occupants’ satisfaction targets.