Sustainable Practices Applied to the Environmental Management of Archival Collection Storage Spaces at the Southwest Wing in the National Maritime Museum in London, UK

A collaborative strategy implemented at the National Maritime Museum, part of Maritime Greenwich, successfully reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions in archival storage spaces without compromising collection stability. By adopting a programmed shutdown of the mechanical system during off-hours, researchers found that collections maintained environmental stability even when the HVAC was inactive overnight. This approach, validated using a methodology from the Image Permanence Institute, demonstrates a sustainable alternative to rigid temperature and humidity controls, offering a practical model for other cultural heritage institutions aiming to balance preservation needs with energy efficiency.

Bastidas-Spence, M. F. (2023). Sustainable Practices Applied to the Environmental Management of Archival Collection Storage Spaces at the Southwest Wing in the National Maritime Museum in London, UK. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 64(1), 46–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/01971360.2023.2197106