The Old and the New: Twenty-First Century Considerations for Buildings Housing Collections

ABSTRACT

This paper evaluates the pros and cons of housing collections in historic buildings as opposed to creating new, purpose-built buildings. Previous studies have compared the costs of adapting existing buildings to those of new construction, showing the former to be better value for money. Those findings will be re-examined in the light of BS EN 16893, passive standards and renewable energy developments; less quantifiable factors such as the challenges of delivering effective preventive conservation in historic buildings will be considered. This paper will also probe the requirements of all museum buildings in the light of country-specific National Performance Frameworks, which shape a broad vision for the role of heritage buildings in twenty-first century society. For example, museums can contribute to placemaking by regenerating previously developed land and bringing infrastructure into deprived areas; and can promote wellbeing and social inclusion.

KEYWORDS:

• sustainability
• buildings
• people-based approach
• inclusivity
• regeneration
• National Performance Frameworks
• placemaking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 Data quoted with the permission of Paul Cunnea, Head of Acquisitions at the National Library of Scotland.