d e s i g n i n g
i n n o v a t i v e
The art
of the invisible
s o l u t i o n s
PRESERVING
THE ARTWORK
for future generations
Five hundred years ago, Michelangelo dedicated more than
20 years of his life to painting the Sistine Chapel frescoes that are
now considered among the greatest works of art of all time. The
project to safeguard this masterpiece for future generations was a
similarly audacious undertaking.
By harnessing the power of today’s technology, international
teams from United Technologies Corp. and Carrier developed a
unique heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) solution
to ensure the preservation of this World Heritage treasure for many
years to come.
THE CHALLENGE
Protecting an artistic masterpiece
Since their completion more than 500 years ago,
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel paintings have become one
of the most celebrated masterpieces of our time. The awe-inspiring
frescoes attract as many as 20,000 visitors a day. The heat, dust,
sweat and carbon dioxide they bring in can potentially damage the
chapel’s historic artwork. In 2010, the museum’s curators examined
the condition of the frescoes and they sounded an urgent alarm: the
Sistine Chapel is dying! That was when I contacted Carrier to design
a solution that would protect the frescoes from further contamination
and allow the Vatican to keep the chapel open to the public.”
Professor Antonio Paolucci
Director of the Vatican Museums
500 years ago Michelangelo consecrated more than 20 years
of his life to painting the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel
with the frescoes that are now considered among the greatest
works of art of all time. The project to conserve this masterpiece
and safeguard it for future generations was an equally audacious undertaking.
By harnessing the power of today’s technology, Carrier and UTC
in Europe, North America and Asia have successfully ensured
the conservation of this world heritage treasure for many years
to come.
THE SOLUTION
A unique site
A noble project, a succession of challenges
riginally known as the Cappella Magna, restored by Pope
O
Sixtus IV from 1477 to 1480 therefore renamed the Capella
Sixtina
million people visit the Sistine Chapel every year to view
6
artwork by Michelangelo and other artists, including Botticelli,
Ghirlandaio, and Perugino
,300 square meters of paintings decorate the walls and ceiling
1
of the Sistine Chapel
he chapel measures approximately 40 meters long, 13 meters
T
wide and 20 meters high
2
Didier Da Costa
President, Carrier HVAC Europe
Working with the Vatican to design a system to preserve the
frescoes of the Sistine Chapel was a noble undertaking, and
one that also came with many challenges. It was critical to understand
how the presence of thousands of visitors affected the chapel’s air
quality, temperature, and humidity. For that, we used modern
simulation tools and state-of-the-art technology to collect data,
simulate airflows, and model the chapel’s interior atmosphere. The
system also had to be invisible to the public, respect “church-quiet”
sound levels, and provide airflow capacity for up to 2,000 visitors in
the chapel at one time. The two-year system development phase
was a process of innovation and discovery, during which we had to
invent solutions. Once we understood the parameters of the
challenge, we were able to develop a unique and innovative system
that would maintain optimal atmospheric conditions in the chapel at
all times.”
3
The human story behind preserving an artistic
masterpiece
Creating
a climate of
confidence
Global
teams
working
together
Before tackling the technical aspects of the solution, both Carrier and
the Vatican Museums understood the importance of one fundamental
issue: generating trust between the project teams.
“Naturally, as is always the case with any large project team, a certain
amount of time was necessary to create a climate of confidence,”
says Antonio Monti, key account manager, UTC Building & Industrial
Systems, Italy. “The challenge was to bring together two parties from
different backgrounds — one technical, the other artistic.”
Michel Grabon, director, AdvanTE3C Solutions Center, Carrier
HVAC Europe (left) and Aritz Calvo, engineer, AdvanTE3C
Solutions Center, Carrier HVAC Europe (right).
Rev. Rafael Garcìa de la Serrana Villalobos, director of the technical
services of the Vatican City State, confirms: “The time both parties
took to understand one another fostered a mutual confidence, which
ultimately led to the solution.”
In order to provide the Vatican Museums — and the artwork of
the Sistine Chapel — with the best possible solution, Carrier, part
of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, relied on its global network
of engineers to leverage the company’s world-class design and
system development resources. It was the AdvanTE3C team
based near Lyon, France, that led the project from start to finish.
“We assembled our teams from three continents: Asia, Europe,
and North America, because they each brought different, and
complementary, skills to the solution,” explains Philippe Delpech,
chief operating officer, intercontinental operations, UTC Building
& Industrial Systems. “Each person brought his or her own
contribution to achieving something great — not only for the
Sistine Chapel, but for the world.”
A lasting collaboration
A project of such magnitude and historical importance required
input from a number of experts to help identify technical solutions.
“The first part of the work consisted of examining the different
solutions capable of conserving the frescoes with Carrier, but
also in collaboration with the universities and specialists from the
Vatican Museums,” explains Rev. Rafael Garcìa de la Serrana
Villalobos.
A range of solutions for the Vatican Museums
Bill Chadwick, senior systems engineer, AdvanTE3C
Solutions Center, UTC Building & Industrial Systems (left) and
Michel Grabon (right).
The partnership with the Vatican goes beyond the air-conditioning
solution for the Sistine Chapel. “With UTC Building & Industrial
Systems’ unique breadth of technological capabilities, we can act
as consulting engineers to the Vatican for solutions in building
management, including fire detection and suppression, video,
security, heating, and ventilation,” says Philippe Delpech.
Through the integration of these technologies, UTC Building
& Industrial Systems expects to continue providing expertise
in building solutions to the Vatican Museums for years to come.
AdvanTE3C: expert teams
for innovative solutions
The world’s largest provider
of building technologies
UTC Building & Industrial Systems’ AdvanTE3C Solutions
Center designed a system tailored to the unique needs of the
Sistine Chapel.
Supporting customers around the world, this group of expert
engineers develops efficient solutions based on building design
experience.
Jackie Anderson, senior engineer, Air Management Systems
Technology, UTC Building & Industrial Systems.
4
The strength of United Technologies
With more than 80 industry-leading brands and 120,000
employees supporting product and service offerings in more
than 180 countries, UTC Building & Industrial Systems
is the world’s largest provider of building technologies.
The group’s comprehensive solutions including elevator, escalator,
fire safety, security, building automation, heating, ventilating,
air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, and services make
modern life possible and promote solutions that are safer, smarter
and sustainable.
5
two years of computer simulation and modeling
Modeling
the Sistine
Chapel
Calculating
airflow
In 1993, Carrier designed and installed the Sistine Chapel’s first
air-conditioning system to accommodate a maximum load of 700
simultaneous visitors. During its lifetime, the system worked exactly
as designed, but was not powerful enough to cope with the growing
number of visitors. When it was time to develop a new solution,
Carrier teams studied project archives to leverage the knowledge
collected over the past two decades. This helped the international
team of engineers move quickly into the simulation and modeling
phase of the project.
CO2 Mass
Fraction
1.200e-003
1.175e-003
Advanced computer simulation
The AdvanTE3C team, directed by Michel Grabon, director,
AdvanTE3C Solutions Center, Carrier HVAC Europe, used advanced
computer simulations to calculate airflow and analyze the climate
within the chapel. Key focus areas included the critical parameters
of consistent relative humidity, low air velocity, temperature stability
and carbon dioxide concentration. The engineering team members
knew they needed to bring approximately three times more air
into the chapel to dilute the concentrations of carbon dioxide and
maintain a stable temperature and humidity profile. And they had to
do it without increasing air velocity around the paintings.
Jackie Anderson, senior engineer, air management systems
technology, UTC Building & Industrial Systems, in Syracuse, New
York, explains why: “The air velocity within the chapel is important
because we’re dealing with delicate paintings from hundreds of
years ago. High velocities could damage the paintings by scrubbing
them and by leaving behind particles contained in the air. With that
in mind, it was imperative that we ensured ‘still air’ conditions near
the chapel walls.”
1.150e-003
1.125e-003
Advanced computer
simulation to protect
the Sistine Chapel’s
masterpiece from
pollutants such as CO2
(shown here in red)
which could degrade
the frescoes
The 3D-modeling of the trumpet-shaped diffusers
1.100e-003
While teams in Shanghai developed software to help estimate the
number of people inside the chapel using video cameras, U.S. teams
used specialized modeling software to split the chapel’s space into
24 million cells. Millions of calculations later, the team could simulate
how the airflow was moving throughout the chapel.
Dynamic behaviour determination
During the modeling phase, the team in France analyzed potential
extreme conditions inside and outside the chapel to determine the
dynamic behavior of the system. Aritz Calvo, engineer, AdvanTE3C
Solutions Center, Carrier HVAC Europe, explains: “Depending on the
time of year, we can have 35°C (95°F) outside and nobody inside
the chapel, or minus 2°C (28.4°F) outside and the chapel full of
people. The dynamic simulation lets us extract the logic that tells the
system how to operate, which means controlling the parameters of
temperature, humidity and air quality year-round.”
3D printed model
A 3D printer-generated quarter-scale model of a Sistine Chapel
window allowed the engineering team to verify that the diffusers could
fit underneath the Sistine Chapel’s narrow windows. The diffusers’
innovative design was critical to ensure the delivery of the right
amount of air.
The temperature challenge
Temperature proved to be another challenge. “On hot summer days,”
continues Jackie Anderson, “the chapel’s walls conduct heat to the
interior. When combined with the heat given off by 2,000 visitors, the
challenge is to ensure reasonably comfortable inside temperatures.”
By simulating increased airflow, the team managed to maintain
correct temperatures within the chapel while keeping carbon dioxide
concentration levels low. But increasing the amount of airflow
automatically increases the velocities. “We had to come up with
a creative way to maintain low velocities within the space, while
allowing the increase in overall airflow,” Jackie Anderson says.
“Working on site was difficult, which is why we used computer
modeling to find the solution,” says Michel Grabon. “Once we
understood how the elements — temperature, weather, number of
visitors — interacted with one another, we could run simulations that
adjust the different parameters. This allowed us to see exactly how
the chapel would adapt to the changing conditions.”
6
Extensive pre-tests
and controls
Carrier teams completed extensive testing of the HVAC
equipment and controls in their laboratory near Lyon,
France, ahead of their delivery to the Vatican, ensuring
a quick system start-up on site. “Everything was precalculated to make sure we didn’t have to make any
adjustments on site,” says Michel Grabon. The result was
a rapid dismantling and installation period that lasted
only three months. The team also deployed an innovative
temporary HVAC solution from Carrier Rental Systems to
provide correct levels of air during this period, allowing the
chapel to remain open to the public during the summer.
7
preserving the world’s most famous frescoes
ONE HIGH-PERFORMANCE
SOLUTION
The high-performance solution designed by Carrier is, in fact, two identical sub-systems that ensure perfect redundancy for continuous
functioning at all times. It is twice as efficient than the previous system, provides three times greater cooling capacity, and is capable of
maintaining optimal conditions for up to 2,000 simultaneous visitors inside the Sistine Chapel.
Controlling temperature
and humidity levels
Managing airflow
into the chapel
Connecting the system
components
To ensure that correct temperatures
and humidity levels are maintained, the
air handling units cool or heat, humidify
or dehumidify, and filter the air before
it’s introduced into the chapel. A heat
exchanger evacuates excess heat to
the external ambient air, and a specially
designed machine room installed on an
adjacent rooftop terrace houses a Carrier
AquaForce® water-cooled chiller, along
with related components.
Outdoor and recycled return air
are first combined, then thermally treated
and filtered before they are delivered back
into the chapel. The airflow is designed
to maintain air quality and minimal air
velocities on the chapel’s ceiling and
walls, while maintaining comfortable
conditions for visitors.
Beginning with sensors located
inside the chapel, the entire system
of air handlers, pumps, filters,
and water-cooled chillers is linked by
an electronic network that enables
communication among each of the
elements. This controls capability works
to ensure the environmental conditions
necessary to preserve the frescoes.
An energy- and spacesaving solution
Controlling the airflow
Monitoring the Sistine
Chapel climate
The HVAC solution also incorporates an
energy-saving application, patented by
Carrier and being used for the first time,
which captures the water created by the
dehumidification process and reuses it for
cooling in another process. This innovation
helped reduce the size of certain components, which in turn has made it possible
to install the equipment into tight-fitting
spaces on the adjacent roof and terraces.
Installed under the chapel’s
south windows, the trumpet-shaped
diffusers are among the most critical
elements of the entire system.
Their diamond-shaped perforated
plate optimizes the airflow and
controls velocity to ensure “still air”
conditions around the frescoes.
• 27 air temperature sensors
• 20 humidity sensors
• 19 surface temperature sensors
• 2 carbon dioxide concentration
sensors
Performance highlights
Efficiency - twice as efficient than the previous system
Capacity - three times greater capacity
“Invisibility” - the system, including sensors, cabling, air handling units, pumps, chillers and diffusers,
are nearly invisible to the public
Air quality - air handling units are equipped with six filtration levels
Noise control - the system is designed to deliver “church-quiet” levels operating at normal conditions
Innovation - a new energy-saving process application is being used for the first time
8
The trumpet-shaped diffusers with diamond-shaped
perforated plate, are located underneath the windows.
preserving the world’s most famous frescoes
The invisible
airflow
When visitors enter the chapel, a column of warm, humid air rises up,
spreads across the ceiling, and then cools as it falls down the chapel’s
wall. In certain conditions, this air leaves moisture and other harmful
deposits on the ceiling and walls leading to further deterioration.
Sensors located inside the chapel detect factors such as temperature
and humidity. They, in turn, tell the system of air handling units how
much outdoor and recycled air needs to be brought into the chapel
to maintain the desired environment.
Innovative video counting application
With growing ranks of tourists, it was also important to be able to
estimate the number of visitors within the museums. An accurate
visitor count is critical because the amount of air introduced into the
chapel is linked directly to the number of people inside at any one
time. “We are now able to detect in real time the number of people
inside the chapel with cameras running advanced video software
that we developed specially for this system,” says Aritz Calvo. “The
intelligent system then adapts the quantity of air delivered to the
chapel and anticipates the level of carbon dioxide before it rises and
adjusts the amount of outdoor airflow accordingly.” This application
shows the scope of UTC Building & Industrial Systems’ building
solutions and the company’s ability to combine HVAC and video
surveillance technologies to bring new levels of innovation.
A unique design
The mix of outdoor and return air is delivered into the chapel through
ductwork using the same openings as the previous system, a
requirement because of the chapel’s status as a historical landmark.
The difference is that the new solution delivers three times more
air, at a higher velocity, using only four of the six existing supply
openings. The final two ducted openings are now used as “returns”
which remove volumes of the chapel air and mix some or all of it with
the ambient air from outdoors.
Thanks to the unique design of the diffuser and its diamond-shaped
perforated plate, incoming air is efficiently slowed to create the
required “still air” conditions around the frescoes. At the same time,
a separate airflow descends into the center of the space, providing a
gentle flow of conditioned air over the visitors at floor level.
The innovative system is virtually
invisible to visitors
Everyone who participated in this
project is an important link in a chain of
people working to preserve part of our heritage,
so that we can pass that along to following
generations. It’s wonderful to see how, through
the application of technology, we are able to
preserve this exceptional treasure and make it
accessible to the greatest number of people
possible.”
Didier Da Costa
President, Carrier HVAC Europe
11
An innovative and scalable solution takes form
Overcoming
the unique challenges
of the Sistine Chapel
When it came time to install the different elements of the system,
Carrier was confronted with several unique challenges that needed
to be overcome: the geometry of the space, the weight and size of
the equipment, and the historical significance of the building.
“In working with the Vatican we understood that we would not be
able to penetrate into the walls or even use the space in the attic,”
recalls Bill Chadwick, senior systems engineer, AdvanTE3C Solutions
Center, UTC Building & Industrial Systems. “It really pointed out how
much of a monument this was.”
Michel Grabon confirms: “For the installation we were limited to the
existing openings. We couldn’t move or reshape a single stone that
had been there since the beginning. It was these kinds of limitations
that required inventive solutions on our part.”
Placing nearly 50 tons of material on the rooftops adjacent to the
Sistine Chapel was another considerable factor. “Before installing the
machines, we had to make sure the terraces could bear the load,”
says Rev. Rafael Garcìa de la Serrana Villalobos. “In studying how the
building was made, we realized we needed to reinforce the roofing
structure to support the weight of the air handling units, the dry
coolers and the machine rooms.”
Completing the installation
Once it was clear that the structure would be able to bear the weight
and the temporary HVAC system was up and running, the existing
pumps, compressors and ductwork were removed. Then, using the
duct access openings created in the 1990s, the new system was put
into place. When the work was complete, the temporary system was
removed and the new system launched in October 2014.
Scaffolding quickly left
the reinforcements of
the Sistine Chapel, once
Carrier solution was installed
12
An innovative and scalable solution takes form
A SOLUTION FOR THE FUTURE
Four years and 4 million hours of work were necessary for Carrier to
achieve its objective: preserve the artwork in the Sistine Chapel while
providing comfort to visitors. To accomplish this goal, Carrier had to
ensure the reliability of the system for today, and for many decades
to come.
“Professor Paolucci told me to think in terms of five, six, seven
centuries, and to think of it as work for humanity. The important thing
to remember with this project is that in 40 years we will be able to
update today’s system to keep up with the evolving needs of the
Vatican,” says Michel Grabon.
A lasting relationship
Carrier’s relationship with the project, and the Vatican, doesn’t end
with the installation of the new air-conditioning system. By agreeing
on a maintenance contract, the relationship is destined to continue
for many years to come: “Our first commitment is for a period of five
years, which is renewable. The idea is that we’ll be able to follow
changes in the number of visitors and other parameters and make
the necessary changes as quickly as possible, if necessary” explains
Antonio Monti.
Our collaboration with Carrier is
intended for the long-run. It existed
before this project, and it will continue
in the future. It’s a lasting relationship that gives
us the best results.”
Rev. Rafael Garcìa de la Serrana Villalobos
Director of the technical services of the Vatican City State
Preserving the artwork of the Sistine Chapel:
a masterpiece of technology by Carrier.
Discover the story of this extraordinary project on
www.youtube.com/UTCBIS
i n n o v a t i v e
s o l u t i o n s
Supporting the Vatican with our technological capabilities
to preserve the extraordinary heritage of the Sistine Chapel
is a lifetime opportunity. We put our best resources into it,
and we’re very proud of what we have done.”
Geraud Darnis,
President & CEO, UTC Building & Industrial Systems
Our aim now is not restoration, but conservation.
This is why we have chosen Carrier, because
a masterpiece like the Sistine Chapel needs
a comparable masterpiece of technology.
Excellence chose excellence.”
Professor Antonio Paolucci,
Director of the Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel “ The Art of the Invisible ”- English - October 2014. ©Carrier. All rights reserved. Photos© Servizio Fotografico Musei Vaticani. Special thanks to Giuliano del Gatto, Arnaud Hauteroche.
d e s i g n i n g