Refurbishment concept for the Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum in Braunschweig
The aim of the research and development project - running from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2003 - is to plan and implement an integral energy and refurbishment concept for the Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum, which opened in Braunschweig in 1887. With the cooperation of all project participants, the topics of building physics, indoor climate, heating and ventilation, daylight and artificial light relevant to the refurbishment were examined. Compliance with the low tolerances for humidity and temperature that are crucial for the exhibits is of particular importance in this context.
The refurbishment concept aims to achieve a significant reduction in heating energy and electricity consumption (heating energy: -35%, electricity for lighting, ventilation and humidification: -50%). Furthermore, the thermal and visual comfort and the conservation conditions for the exhibits are to be improved. The focus here is on improving the building envelope (creating airtightness, using optimized glazing, etc.) and preventing overheating in summer. The reactivation of the existing hypocaust system is also being examined in order to implement a largely natural air conditioning system. The concepts have been tested and validated by measurements and computer simulations since October 2000.
The following museums are involved in the joint project "Museums - Energy efficiency & sustainability in retrofitted and new museum buildings", funded by the European Union:
Archaeological Museum in Delphi, Greece
Bardini Museum in Florence, Italy
National Museum 'Pompeo Aria' in Marzabotto, Italy
National Archaeological Museum in Lisbon, Portugal
Slovenian Ethnological Museum in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Museum of Modern Art in Kristinehamn, Sweden
C/PLEX Art Center in West Bromwich, England
National cooperation partners are the Oberfinanzdirektion (OFD) in Hanover and the state building management Braunschweig I.
The refurbishment will be followed by a one-year monitoring and evaluation phase.
The refurbishment project for the Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum demonstrates the many ways in which the climatic and visual requirements of museums can be optimized and considerable energy savings can be achieved at the same time through the careful treatment of historic buildings.