Climate control in a 16th-century building in the south of Portugal

Abstract

An exhibition of the works of the Flemish painter Francisco Henriques, who lived in Portugal between 1503 and 1518, was to be installed in 16th-century building in Evora, Alantejo. The number of visitors was expected to average between 400 and 500 per day, up to 1,000 during weekends. The building characteristics were assessed by thermohygrograph for approximately three months before the exhibition. It appeared possible to keep environmental conditions stable simply by compensating for the heat and humidity gains from visitors with conventional temperature and humidity controlled ventilation system. The results were according to expectations. Energy consumption remained low, but overall performance can still be improved by reducing the total capacity of the air handling units. The results achieved, partly due to the thermal characteristics of the building, prove the value of Thomson's concept of a museum temperate zone.

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