The BEM of the Vasari Corridor: A return to its original function and correlated energy consumption for artwork conservation and IAQ

This work illustrates the results achieved by ongoing collaboration between the Uffizi Gallery and the University of Florence. This collaboration has focused on the New Uffizi Project and sought to evaluate the energy consumption of the HVAC systems of the Vasari Corridor by applying the typical tools and methods for the Building Energy Model (BEM) of existing buildings. In order to perform a dynamic simulation of the energy behavior and thermal comfort of the Corridor, the Building Energy Model was validated by comparing the hourly measured and simulated indoor temperature values and through the varying of natural ventilation and solar shading. Due to its building characteristics the control of the indoor thermo-hygrometric parameters is a critical issue. These aspects expose the Corridor to climatic variations which necessitate major energy consumption. In estimating energy consumption, three different scenarios of the use of the Corridor itself were referenced: one of which was its return to the original Medici use as a connection between Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio through the Uffizi Galleries; the other two were the possible uses for temporary exhibitions of artwork which met the acceptable parameters of indoor air quality (thermal comfort and control of risk of SARS-CoV 2).