A museum storage facility controlled by solar energy

We describe a museum storage building which controls its climate by solar heating. The temperature is moderated by heat storage in the ground below the floor while a highly insulated superstructure and good airtightness shield against variation in weather. The relative humidity is kept moderate by solar heating of the attic space through a roof window. The heat is slowly released through the ceiling to the storage space below. This will give a temperature which cycles annually between 10 °C and 25 °C. Fine humidity control can be achieved by use of moisture reactive wall surfaces, such as clay in the form of unfired brick.