Air curtain and conservatory to fix museum entranceway draught

Draughty conditions in the Otago Museum foyer may soon be a thing of the past, with improvements under way to solve the problem.

The Otago Museum Trust Board heard recently that equipment had been ordered so modern "air curtain" technology could be installed at the main downstairs foyer entry.

Resource consent had just been obtained to build a small conservatory, providing an enclosed area outside a nearby side door, close to the museum's downstairs cafe.

The board had earlier been advised that, given rising energy costs, a better solution had been needed than simply increasing the general heating of the foyer in winter.

Museum chief executive Shimrath Paul told the board that a solution was under way to solve the cold draught problems at the entrance.

Museum officials had said earlier this year that work was under way with Naylor Love to resolve the "long-standing issue" of cold air entering through the main ground floor doors and the nearby smaller external entrance to the cafe.

These problems had caused "significant visitor discomfort", Mr Paul had said earlier.

Conditions could also be unpleasant for staff working in the entry areas, and leaves were being blown inside, officials said.

This conservatory, with a planned east-facing external door, was being designed by McCoy and Wixon, and would be "in sympathy" with the museum's Centennial Wing.

Museum organisers earlier said the conservatory could cost about $70,000 and the air curtain about $15,000.

-john.gibb@odt.co.nz

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