Considerations on the Thermo-hygrometric and Luminous Microclimate of a Museum Building. A Case Study Messina Museum

Abstract

The microclimatic control of the environments destined to the exposure and the conservation of the works, understood as control of the parameters of temperature, relative humidity, lighting engineering, and air quality inside both macro-environments (exhibition halls, warehouses, etc.) and of museum micro-environments; (shop windows, storage and transport containers), has long been of particular interest to museum curators. It is well known that the environmental parameters mentioned above can triggering or aggravating degradation processes through chemical, physical or biological mechanisms and how they contribute to increase or reduce the "life expectancy" of a cultural asset. This article shows the first results of a survey aimed at evaluate the conditions of the thermo-hygrometric and luminous microclimate for the conservation of works of art within the new seat of the Regional Museum of Messina. In this preliminary phase of a larger study, a simulation was conducted through a software to verify the main parameters of the passive behavior of the museum shell, in order to plan a subsequent campaign of investigations and measures on the compatibility of the microclimate with the regulatory requirements of the conservation of works of art and their use by the public and to provide information on possible adjustments plant engineering, also identifying techniques and solutions for the containment of energy consumption, always high in this type of structures.