Overview
Bexhill Museum is an independent Arts Council-accredited museum housed in a historically significant building. The Sargeant Gallery, originally constructed as the Egerton Park Shelter Hall in 1903, has remained largely unchanged since it was reopened at the end of World War One. The museum is scheduled for nearly half a million pounds of essential repair work in 2025 to preserve its heritage while modernising its facilities.
Original building (left) and modern extension (right)
The Challenge
The Sergeant Gallery was originally fitted with a glass roof, later tiled over between the wars. In 2025, a new insulated roof will be installed to address severe fluctuations in temperature and humidity: conditions that have fostered damp and mould, threatening delicate collections such as textiles, costumes, and Edwardian natural history artefacts.
To ensure informed decision-making regarding future investments, including the replacement of its 1980s air handling system and gas boiler-powered radiators, the museum required 24/7 environmental data both before and after the refurbishment. Reliable data would help strengthen funding applications for energy-efficient upgrades, aligning with the museum’s Net Zero ambitions.
Sargent Gallery (left) and the Costume Museum (right)
The Solution
In partnership with RAK Wireless, Green Custard designed and deployed an IoT solution to monitor environmental conditions. A RAK Wireless LoRaWAN gateway was selected for its ability to provide long-range, low-power connectivity, ensuring stable and cost-effective data transmission throughout the museum without the need for extensive cabling.
Multiple temperature and humidity sensors were strategically placed following a thorough site survey, with different configurations tested to achieve optimal coverage. External readings were also integrated using Met Office data to provide additional context. Green Custard developed a user-friendly dashboard, allowing the museum’s management team to visualise environmental trends and make data-driven decisions.
“It was helpful that Green Custard had worked with charities in our sector that face similar issues around building management, internal environmental control and limited resources. The dashboard interface informs our decisions around all these issues in a practical, accessible way.”
- Rohan Jayasekera
The Results
The data collected by the RAK Wireless-powered LoRaWAN solution will play a critical role in securing funding for future conservation efforts. By providing clear evidence of the environmental challenges and the improvements following the 2025 roof insulation project, the museum will be better positioned to advocate for investment in upgraded heating and air handling systems.
LoRaWAN’s efficiency reduced the number of required sensors and gateways, lowering both installation costs and data fees while leaving room for system expansion into other museum galleries. Additionally, the lightweight, non-invasive hardware preserved the historical aesthetics of the building, ensuring that modern smart building solutions could be seamlessly integrated into this heritage site.
This collaboration between RAK Wireless, Green Custard, and Bexhill Museum demonstrates how IoT technology can help museums and public organisations protect their collections, improve energy efficiency, and make strategic infrastructure decisions, all without compromising their historical integrity.