Incorporating environmentally friendly practices and materials should be front of mind whenever you begin designing a new exhibit. As it turns out, there are quite a few areas prime for sustainability upgrades. Is it overwhelming to consider all of them at once? Yes, it can be intimidating, but the goal is to do better and be more mindful, not to be perfect from the outset. Dive into these strategies to find different ways to optimize sustainability in your next exhibit design.
Maximize Energy Efficiency
Let’s start with something you’ve ideally already addressed museum-wide: Make it a habit to use energy-efficient LED bulbs; they consume less electricity and have a longer lifespan.
While you’re at it, if you haven’t already done so, talk about implementing smart lighting, like motion sensors and timers, to reduce energy usage when your exhibit spaces are not in use. Smart climate controls can also help optimize energy consumption with continuous monitoring.
A temperature between 20 and 22 degrees [68 and 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit], relative humidity between 40 and 45% and a maximum illumination of 150 lux. These are the recommended conditions to conserve paintings in a gallery. Other types of museums, such as archeological museums, must provide different conditions in order to preserve materials such as skins, metals or bones.
Museums that are forced to maintain strict conservation conditions and that have historically ignored energy efficiency, are transforming their practices and structures to align with sustainable development and the fight against climate change. The sustainable museums of the 21st century are energy efficient, sustainably managed and raise public awareness of environmental issues. (Source: Iberdrola)
Use Sustainable Materials
When bringing display techniques and signage to life, opt for materials that are recycled or can be easily recycled after use, like aluminum, glass, and certain plastics. Digital displays can reduce the need for printed products, BUT be sure to consider the scope of your needs, ongoing maintenance and tech support, and the expected lifespan of any tech.
When appropriate, choose materials sourced from renewable resources, like bamboo, cork, or FSC-certified wood. Research paints, adhesives, and finishes with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions to improve indoor air quality.
Recommended resource: Sustainable Exhibition & Design Construction Toolkit, AAM
Prioritize Modular and Reusable Components
Even better than recycling? Get creative and repurpose or reuse materials from previous exhibits and displays. Or think long term when planning new exhibits: Use modular components that can be reconfigured and reused in future exhibitions; it reduces waste and the need for new materials, and your future self will thank you for lightening the next workload.
As you consider new builds required for your exhibit, you might also think about opportunities to use more durable materials and construction techniques to extend the lifespan of your components.
Recommended resource: Six Ways to be Sustainable in Exhibition Design, A Museum for Now
Practice Sustainability in Fabrication
Look for materials and fabrication services locally to reduce transportation emissions (and support the local economy while you’re at it!). Ask about fabrication techniques that minimize waste, like CNC cutting or 3D printing, which can precisely produce parts with less material waste.
Plan for Sustainable Transportation
Keep carbon footprints in mind when it comes to planning transportation methods and routes for exhibit materials. Make an effort to prioritize efficiency to offset the resource consumption of transport.
Remember, even small steps add up: When possible, use virtual meetings and digital mock-ups during the design process.
Optimize Waste Reduction
Use minimal, or at the very least, sustainable packaging for any exhibit-related materials and merchandise. And if you haven’t already, think about implementing recycling programs for exhibit materials — and encourage visitors to participate if it makes sense!
Education and Awareness
Any time a museum focuses on sustainability is an excellent time to share those efforts with visitors. It raises awareness and shows you’re walking the walk. Be sure to incorporate educational components about your sustainability efforts into the exhibit.
You might also consider training staff on sustainable practices in exhibit design, installation, and maintenance so everyone is on the same page now and in the future. Announce it as a priority for your museum and keep it at the forefront of any future plans.
And avoid paralysis! As Elise Foster Vander Elst, head of exhibitions & environmental impact lead at the Design Museum, put it, “There’s so much anecdotal evidence. You go to the shop with your cotton tote bag thinking you’re doing a good thing. But then someone tells you it uses much more water than the biodegradable one you can get in the Co-op. So should I only shop at the Co-op? These uncertainties can lead to paralysis. I could see that in the sector we’re all confused. No one wants to get it wrong, and sometimes that stopped change.” (Source)
Certification and Standards
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It provides a framework for you to design and implement an EMS for your museum exhibit and continually improve its environmental performance.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) promotes sustainable building practices. If your museum is in the United States, aim for LEED certification for your exhibit space. Find out much more on how you can apply LEED to museum projects here.
For even more detail-oriented design help, take a look at the Sustainable Exhibit Design & Construction Toolkit offered by the American Alliance of Museums.
