Evaluating Expanded Environmental Parameters in Storage

The Getty Research Institute (GRI) has initiated a highly collaborative project to optimize energy and resource usage in their vaults, reduce operational costs, and maintain long-term collection stability. Environmental parameters have been expanded from a single set point to a dual set point band, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are being adjusted dynamically. The study is expected to generate valuable data that will inform future environmental management strategies at the GRI and contribute to a broader global discourse on art preservation and climate action.

The anticipated outcomes of the project are:

1. Demonstrated reduction in energy consumption.
2. Maintenance of environmental conditions within the set range selected for artifact preservation.
3. Cost savings in operational expenses related to HVAC systems.
4. Simplified environmental parameters across most GRI vaults

Cultural institutions have historically employed stringent environmental parameters that have led to high energy consumption and operational costs. This has sparked a growing movement to rethink strict preservation standards, raising questions about how many resources are truly necessary to ensure the long-term preservation of collections.

As part of Getty’s overall drive towards sustainability, a collaborative team oversaw the expansion of the environmental parameters within a collection storage vault at the GRI. The expanded parameters implemented are from a single set point of 65 ± 3° F and 37.4 ± 5% RH to a dual set point band of 55 – 69°F and 30 – 45% RH. Additionally, overnight setbacks were implemented to reduce airflow during the non-occupied hours of 11pm - 4 am. The interdisciplinary team leading the project includes representatives from the GRI’s Conservation and Preservation Department, the Managing Collection Environments (MCE) initiative at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), Getty Facilities, and Getty’s Office of Sustainability.

To evaluate the new parameters, a comprehensive environmental monitoring program was implemented alongside enclosure and object-level monitoring of both exceptional and representative materials in a variety of the most common enclosures within the storage area. Detailed documentation of the items was carried out based on their specific vulnerabilities to fluctuations in relative humidity and temperature with plans for follow up documentation after a year. Environmental loggers were deployed at box, shelf, and room level to ensure adequate data is collected for analysis and comparison with the Building Management System (BMS), which continually provides information about the space.

With anticipated positive outcomes, simplified environmental parameters will be applied across the remaining vaults, reducing overall energy consumption. The HVAC system will also be tuned for maximized efficiency. The project is part of Getty’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical stewardship of our collections.

Getty Research Institute

• Mark Benson
• Rachel Rivenc
• Ronel Namde

Getty Conservation Institute

• Ashley A. Freeman
• Michal Łukomski
• Theofanis Karafotias

Getty Facilities

• Bruce Nevel
• Michael Jordan
• Mike Galindo

Office of Sustainability

• Camille Kirk

Former Team Members

• Cecilia Winter