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Museums are not just repositories of history and culture; they are increasingly becoming advocates for environmental stewardship. This article delves into the evolving responsibilities of museum facilities managers as they navigate the challenges of sustainability and climate resilience. From rethinking energy usage to spearheading ambitious infrastructure projects, these professionals are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of cultural institutions.
How Can Museums Help Protect the Environment?
Christopher Dunbrack, Associate Building Manager at The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Cloisters spoke at the Green Museums Summit 2023 about his work to make the museum more sustainable. His key message centred on the idea that the Earth itself is like a precious artefact that needs protection.
Just as museums preserve and protect their collections, he argued, facilities managers must now take on the responsibility of safeguarding the environment through sustainable practices.
This paradigm shift extends the role of a building manager beyond traditional tasks like maintaining equipment and ensuring clean, safe, and dry spaces. Today, the position also demands long-term thinking about energy efficiency, infrastructure resiliency, and climate impact.
“The decisions we make today about our buildings resonate far into the future,” Dunbrack stated, emphasising that short-term fixes can have profound implications for decades to come. From the equipment powering climate control systems to the structural integrity of museum spaces, every choice contributes to a larger environmental story. In Dunbrack’s words, museum facilities managers are now on the “front lines” of climate action.
What Does Sustainability Leadership Look Like for Facilities Managers?
Historically, the role of a museum facilities manager revolved around the essentials: ensuring a building was operational, safe, and fit to house valuable collections. But as Dunbrack pointed out, this remit has expanded dramatically.
Facilities managers are now tasked with sourcing renewable energy solutions, recommending sustainable practices, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to address the challenges posed by the Anthropocene—the current geological age characterised by significant human impact on the Earth’s ecosystems.
Dunbrack described how he began to see his role as that of a conservator, not in the traditional sense of preserving objects, but as a steward of the physical and environmental context that houses those objects. “If I make a bad decision about the equipment I use today,” he explained, “that decision will have ripple effects for decades. It’s not just about preserving the collection but ensuring there is a future where these objects can still be appreciated.”
How Can Collaboration and Ambition Drive Change?
A significant theme in Dunbrack’s presentation was the importance of collaboration. He highlighted how facilities managers are increasingly required to work closely with museum leadership, curators, conservators, architects, engineers, and even local municipalities to ensure the long-term sustainability of their institutions. This collaborative approach, Dunbrack noted, is essential for driving meaningful change.
Dunbrack shared a compelling example from his work at The Cloisters. Faced with the challenge of reducing the museum’s carbon footprint, he spearheaded efforts to transition from oil-burning boilers to a geothermal heating and cooling system. This ambitious project involved years of groundwork, including gathering data, securing funding, and building consensus among stakeholders. While the initiative is still a work in progress, it has already inspired other short-term improvements, such as retrofitting staff and gallery lighting with LEDs and introducing electrified heating and cooling systems in back-of-house areas.
“Ambition attracts support,” Dunbrack remarked, noting that pursuing bold ideas often galvanises others to think creatively and join the effort. He also stressed the importance of patience, recognising that cultural and operational change in an institution can take years to materialise.
How Can Museums Shape a Sustainable Future?
Dunbrack’s work at The Cloisters illustrates the transformative potential of rethinking the role of facilities managers in museums. By positioning sustainability as a core responsibility, these professionals can influence both the immediate operations of their institutions and the broader cultural shift towards environmental stewardship.
As Dunbrack concluded, “Cultivating change is a time game. Every step we take—from talking to colleagues to presenting ideas to leadership—builds momentum. And while the results may take years, the cultural shifts we inspire along the way are just as important.”
Through his forward-thinking approach, Dunbrack has not only redefined his own role but also provided a roadmap for facilities managers worldwide to embrace their new agency in addressing the challenges of the Anthropocene.
Insights from the Green Museums Summit
Christopher Dunbrack, Buildings and Facilities Manager at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Cloisters, spoke at the Green Museums Summit 2023. Highlighting the intersection of sustainability and museum operations, Dunbrack explored how these professionals are becoming pivotal in driving long-term environmental stewardship within cultural institutions.
His talk explored how the role of museum facilities managers has evolved in response to the pressing challenges of climate change, reframing these professionals as vital custodians of sustainability within their institutions.
