Energy efficient consolidation/ restoration of a historical building - City Museum of Iasi

This EU-funded project aimed recuperate and restore the heritage building in Iasi respecting energy efficiency standards. The building is intended for Iasi Municipal Museum, an institution whose purpose is to promote and rediscover the history of the old city.
The project included the a building restoration of about 1000 m2. The building elements were kept as much as possible like the original. Regarding energy efficiency there is a permanent conflict between conservation and exposure of exhibits for museums. On the one hand minimal fluctuations of room temperature (21 °C +/– 3 C), humidity and air flow, as well as low light and ultraviolet radiation are required, in order to reduce ageing of samples to minimum. On the other hand, visitors and staff demand thermal comfort, air quality, room illumination, and visual perception of objects.
Thermal active room surfaces, low air change ventilation, heating and cooling, controlled day-lighting were used for the museum building.
Thermal capacity of indoor room surfaces in combination with chilled / heated ceilings, floors and walls are the basic principles of a stable climate control. There are also used energy efficient windows which have an important influence on the cooling and heating demand. Windows helps to increase natural heat and decrease the need for heat to be generated artificially.