Microclimatic Experimental Investigation for Assuring Museum Preventive Conservation. Effective Conceptual and Testing Means

Microclimate knowledge of historic buildings is fundamental for preventive conservation. Considering cultural heritage in the light of the UN-Habitat’s new report 2021, allows a radical rethinking of the relationship between the built, historical space/place and its boundary, nature, and environment according to their protection, preventive conservation, health and energy-environmental sustainability. In this research a study on the performance and efficacy of practical applications of an integrated methodological approach, based on experimental investigation and CFD transient simulation, is presented and discussed. It was a fundamental support for a new conservation/protection concept based on the knowledge of dynamic interactions between macro-environment (urban, historical architectural context) and micro-environment (building, museum and its different areas). The San Marco Museum in Florence (Italy) was the case study. The study in transient conditions of the connection between building thermo-physics, plant system working, integrated with air temperature variations and moisture transfer, allowed identification of possible interventions on critical factors, for people training and orientation towards a conscious use/fruition, better management (museum and plant system), protection/conservation of the indoor environment quality. Main findings showed that it is not always possible to satisfy the indoor climate within the constraints and recommended limits, without a new control/regulation system strategy.