This pilot project, a collaboration between the Rathgen Research Laboratory of the National Museums in Berlin – Prussian Cultural Heritage and the GLAM Network at the University of Oxford, focuses on the sustainable preservation of collections through preventive conservation and energy-efficient climate management. Both partners are committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2035 and bring extensive experience in the analysis of historical and current climate data from museums, archives, and libraries.

The project aims to compare existing climate guidelines with real-world environmental data, develop practical climate parameters ("climate envelopes"), and identify long-term trends in preservation environments, particularly relevant for loans and traveling exhibitions. Special attention is given to the comparability of very different building and collection types, along with their associated technical systems, such as HVAC solutions.

Workshops and reciprocal visits will foster interdisciplinary exchange ranging from conservation and building management to sustainability. The partnership lays a strong foundation for future initiatives and actively promotes diversity within the professional community.

Project Lead: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Funding: Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and Gardens, Libraries & Museums, University of Oxford
Project Duration: May 2025 to April 2026