Preventive conservation.
A locked cupboard and a white towel, which protects the furniture from fading in the sun and dust, represent the two main themes of object protection: security and preventive conservation.
Preventive conservation is the method of protection of cultural heritage objects during permanent and temporary exhibitions. The basic aim is to slow down to a minimum all the destructive processes that contribute to the ageing or destruction of materials.
There are basically four main agents that need to be controlled: Physical agents, chemical agents, biological agents and human error.
Therefore, a museum display case creates compatible microclimates and air qualities for the exposed objects. To achieve this, the design of a display case must be based on a risk analysis of the exposed collection and its individual objects.
Organic materials also require pest control, mainly through structural measures and possibly bacterial and viral destruction systems.
Human error, which often occurs in handling objects, is a design development issue, with the aim of creating fail-safe systems and detailed handling procedures.
Material science and chemical testing are crucial to understanding compatible building materials. In this area, Glasbau Hahn has developed the Bemma Scheme with the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), which certifies constructions based on compatible materials and the complete construction process, including an integrated air sampling port for final air quality analysis.
Preventive conservation is the most relevant scientific field for the development of conservation constructions to protect exposed objects.
Our highly experienced preventive conservation specialists will assist the client team in defining the appropriate measures for each type of collection and translate them into constructions.