Challenge
MUMA’s extension to the gallery and refurbishment of the existing 19th century building has sustainability at its heart. The new Collections Centre on the lower ground floor employs passive environmental control methods, which means that no mechanical cooling or humidity controls are required – which, of course, lowers the carbon consumption significantly. Elsewhere, earth tubes and ground source heat pumps, again introduced by MUMA as part of our recent development, mean that the building achieved its target of reducing overall carbon consumption by 10% - a significant achievement given that the building has increased in size by a third and its public areas have increased by 100%.