How does climate change affect the preservation of our heritage? REFRESH (Water Cycle For Resilient Heritage) is an international research project by Musea Brugge and the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA), and others. Together with researchers from Belgium, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, we are exploring how to better protect our heritage by studying and learning to control the water cycle in and around museums. The research is focused on four emblematic heritage sites: the Doge's Palace in Venice, the Louvre in Paris, the Gruuthusemuseum in Bruges and Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, England.

Why water?

One of the main factors determining the impact of climate change on heritage sites is the presence of water, and the way in which it moves (in the soil, in walls, in interiors, etc.). The Gruuthusemuseum is situated next to water and surrounded by gardens. That makes the museum an ideal candidate for the REFRESH research.

Measurements at the Gruuthusemuseum

To measure the impact of water on historic heritage sites, the researchers are installing several measuring devices at the four heritage sites in Venice, Paris, Woodstock and Bruges.

Various sensors on the exterior facade of the Gruuthusemuseum and in the ground will collect data on the water cycle in and around the museum over the next few years. There will also be a weather station on the roof of the Gruuthusemuseum. We are also monitoring various parameters such as temperature, humidity and CO2 in four museum rooms. In some display windows, we are conducting additional research on condensation, by measuring the surface temperature of materials such as oak, marble, glass, plaster and copper. These materials each have different thermal properties and therefore react differently to the environment. The REFRESH researchers are also studying the impact of the surrounding water (the Reie) on the masonry and the historic building materials of the Gruuthuse Palace.