The first 'green' museum in South Africa

Abstract

Many museums in South Africa are housed in old buildings that have been adapted for use as museums, so the chance to plan a museum building from scratch is both exciting and challenging. A new building is an opportunity to get everything right, from the start, but optimal museum conditions are potential guzzlers of materials, energy and water and the environment is not necessarily comfortable for staff. The National English Literary Museum's new building will be the first 'green' museum (certified by the Green Building Council of SA) in South Africa.