Carrier displays art of air conditioning
21st September 2021
VATICAN CITY: An innovative air conditioning solution from Carrier is helping to ensure optimal ventilation and comfort in the Vatican’s historic Raphael Rooms.
Adorned with frescoes painted between 1508 and 1524 by Renaissance artist Raphael, the Raphael Rooms are universally known as one of the greatest works of art ever created.
A new system design was required to meet the unique needs of the historic space, when summer temperatures in Rome can soar as high as 104°F/40°C.
Carrier engineers developed and installed a custom solution utilising a new system design that delivers heating and cooling in one-quarter of the traditional footprint, all without altering the existing historic infrastructure.
The right solution for the space had to be installed without impacting any of the historic elements within the rooms but would still function to deliver proper ventilation and maintain comfortable temperatures.
The Vatican Museums again turned to Carrier, who in 2014 installed an innovative HVAC system to help protect Michelangelo’s 16th century frescoes against deterioration at the Sistine Chapel.
In the Raphael Rooms, Carrier engineers specifically designed small, yet high-capacity, fan coils to circulate the air. These were installed underneath the windows, remaining invisible to visitors.
Energy-efficient Carrier AquaSnap 30RQV chillers were also installed in a location unnoticeable to visitors, and an iVu building automation system is now in place to help optimise the HVAC systems.
“The space available for equipment inside the Raphael Rooms was very reduced. We had to design a small 2.5kW fan coil but with 10kW of capacity, a powerful piece of equipment,” said Michel Grabon, director, Carrier AdvanTEC/Building Solutions Group Europe. “This solution is unique because this type of product did not exist. We had to imagine and develop a product that would fit this function in a reduced space.”
Related stories:
Carrier unveils Sistine chapel masterpiece – 29 October 2014
ITALY: Carrier has revealed more information on its now completed replacement hvac installation at the Sistine Chapel. Read more…
Carrier to protect the Sistine Chapel – 17 June 2014
Carrier is to supply a new air conditioning system for the Sistine Chapel to help protect Michelangelo’s 16th century frescoes against deterioration. Read more…
