Preliminary Microclimate Monitoring for Preventive Conservation and Visitor Comfort: The Case of the Ligurian Archaeological Museum

The preservation of cultural heritage within museum environments requires systematic control and monitoring of indoor microclimatic conditions. Over the past four decades, scientific evidence has established the critical role of environmental parameters, including air temperature, relative humidity, light, and airborne pollutants, in the preventive conservation of artifacts. International standards and national guidelines mandate continuous, non-invasive monitoring protocols that integrate conservation requirements with the architectural and operational constraints of historic buildings. Effective implementation necessitates a multidisciplinary approach balancing artifact preservation, human comfort, and building energy efficiency. Recent international recommendations further promote adaptive approaches wherein microclimate thresholds are calibrated to site-specific “historical climate” conditions, derived from minimum one-year baseline datasets. While essential for long-term conservation management, the design and implementation of such monitoring systems present significant technical and logistical challenges. This study presents a replicable methodological approach wherein preliminary surveys and three short-term monitoring campaigns (duration: 2 to 5 weeks) supported design, sensor selection, and spatial deployment and will allow the validation of a long-term continuous monitoring infrastructure (at least one year). These preliminary investigations enabled the following: (1) identification of priority environmental parameters; (2) optimization of sensor placement relative to exhibition layouts and maintenance protocols; and (3) preliminary assessment of microclimate risks in naturally ventilated spaces in the absence of HVAC systems.