Folger Shakespeare Library
Deck C Vaults Climate Control Upgrade
State-of-the-art environmental systems protecting irreplaceable rare book collections
Project Overview
The Folger Shakespeare Library's Deck C Vaults house some of the world's most valuable rare books and manuscripts, including First Folios and irreplaceable Renaissance documents. Landmark Logix was entrusted with upgrading the climate control systems to museum-grade standards while maintaining uninterrupted protection of the collections.
This highly specialized project required surgical precision in execution. We designed and implemented advanced environmental controls capable of maintaining temperature within ±1°F and humidity within ±2% RH—critical thresholds for preserving 400-year-old paper and bindings. The work was performed in phases to ensure continuous climate protection throughout the 14-month upgrade process.
The project included installing redundant HVAC systems with automatic failover, precision humidification and dehumidification equipment, advanced air filtration to remove particulates and pollutants, integrated monitoring with 24/7 alerts, and seismic-resistant mounting systems. The result is a world-class preservation environment that will protect these cultural treasures for generations to come.
Project Details
Folger Shakespeare Library
Education & Research
14 Months
$8.5M
82 First Folios Protected
Project Timeline
Phase 1
Assessment & Planning
Comprehensive environmental audit, collection vulnerability analysis, and redundant system design
Phase 2
Temporary Protection
Installation of temporary climate control, phased collection relocation, and continuous monitoring
Phase 3
System Installation
Installation of precision HVAC, humidity control, air filtration, and redundant backup systems
Phase 4
Testing & Commissioning
30-day stability testing, staff training, documentation, and full operational handover
"Landmark Logix understood that we weren't just upgrading equipment—we were safeguarding irreplaceable cultural heritage. Their phased approach meant our First Folios never experienced a single moment of environmental instability. The new systems perform flawlessly, and the peace of mind is invaluable."
Dr. Sarah Johnson
Director of Preservation, Folger Shakespeare Library
Key Achievements
Zero Collection Incidents
100% uptime of climate protection throughout the 14-month project with no damage to any collection items
Museum-Grade Precision
Temperature control within ±1°F and humidity within ±2% RH exceeding industry standards
38% Energy Reduction
Advanced systems with variable speed drives and heat recovery reduced energy consumption significantly
Redundant Systems
Dual HVAC systems with automatic failover ensure continuous protection even during maintenance
Ahead of Schedule
Project completed 3 weeks early despite the complexity and precision requirements
24/7 Monitoring
Integrated monitoring system with real-time alerts and automated notifications to preservation staff
Scope of Services
Landmark Logix Role
- Environmental assessment and vulnerability analysis
- Design of redundant precision climate control systems
- Phased construction management maintaining 100% protection
- Installation oversight of HVAC, humidity, and filtration systems
- Integration of monitoring and alert systems
- 30-day commissioning and stability testing
- Staff training and documentation delivery
Technical Highlights
- Museum-grade precision: ±1°F temperature, ±2% RH humidity
- Dual redundant HVAC systems with automatic failover
- HEPA filtration removing 99.97% of particulates
- Activated carbon filtration for gaseous pollutants
- Seismic-resistant equipment mounting systems
- Real-time monitoring with 24/7 alert notifications
- Variable speed drives for energy efficiency
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