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Political and financial factors, as well as purely technical requirements often influence the choice of a site for an
archive building. Whatever the reasons, the choice of a site is crucial because a mistake cannot be corrected later
and can jeopardise the whole future of an archive service (Duchein, 1988). In the past archives were often put up
on sites which authorities are prepared to offer. Most of the time, cost and competition for land primarily determines
where record offices are built (Thomas, 1988).
According to an older, partly outdated RAMP study several factors have to be considered when a new site is
chosen. Amongst other things the site should not be located near areas subject to high levels of air po llution, a major
and increasing problem in most of the metro politan areas in develop ing countries. Likewise, sites near obvious
polluting industries should be avoided, which includes railway stations. Local climatic conditions of possible sites
should be studied carefully and preference should be given to ones that are on high ground, have a cool and dry
climate and are protected against sun and storm s. Locations that are subject to humid, salty or sandy winds, like
coastal areas, are unsuitable. At the very least the openings should not face directly into the direction of the
prevailing winds. Some environmental protection can also be gained by careful positioning of the structure to take
advantage of any natural shade or protection against wind (Daniel et al., 2000; Ezennia, 1989; Ling, 1998; Thomas,
1987).
Paul Gut specifies the site-specific conditions as the presence a pool of cold air, local wind, water, urbanisation,
altitude and ground surface. These factors make a real difference and need to be considered in designing the d etails
of the building and in the selection of the construction site (Gut et al., 1993). R osenberg noticed a rise of 12% in
relative humidity inside a museum on the coast of Gabon, while the outside temperature was 7 – 10ºC higher. This
was partly due to the location of the building (Rosenberg, 1986). In Fiji the external temperature fluctuated widely
on a daily basis, the maximum being between 18ºC and 48ºC. The average fluctuations, monitored during a 54 days
period, were between 22ºC and 32ºC (Daniel et al., 2000). The site should also be carefully inspected to ascertain
if there are termite mounds or nests in the vicinity (Ling, 1998).
Some sites are more logical than others. If it is intended to build a repository mainly for historical records, it
would be advisable to site it in the university quarter or near a library or museum. If, on the other hand, the
repository were for semi-current records, it would be better to keep them near the administrative centre. To store
archives a long way from town, is not a very good idea. An archive should not be deprived of contact with its
potential users: archives are not dead things! (Duchein, 1988).
As time goes by the factors that should apply when selecting the site for an archival repository change. For one,
prices for land and housing in the centres of urban areas can rise sky-high. For another, the surroundings of each
site need to be considered. Today we distinguish between internal and external factors that influence our choice of
the site. Yet, each site and each building are unique (Ling, 1998).
Once a site has been chosen, thought should be given to providing the best orientation of the building. To avoid
direct sunlight it is better to orientate the building to the north, in the northern hemisphere, or to the south in the
southern hemisphere (Duchein, 1988). Normally north light is recommended as the most suitable natural light for
galleries and for conservation studios. The north light is uniform and colours are distinctly visible. East-west
orientation, which is favoured by traditional builders in India, is not suitable, unless the walls facing east and west
are protected by sun-breakers or wide projections (Agrawal, 1974).
4.7 Underground Building
Building upwards (multi-storeyed), outwards (modular) or down (underground) depends on the amount of land that
is available and other restrictions that might be imposed on the land and the overall needs of an organisation (Ling,
1998).
A big advantage of building repositories underground is that the environment is very stable. Yet underground
stacks always suffer from humidity and mould (Lee, 1997 , Rosenberg, 1986 ). In a five-year survey of annual
temperature differences at the Torazuka old tomb north-east of Tokyo, Kenjo found the tem perature difference to
be very small throughout the year: while the average highest temperature was 30 �C and the lowest temperature was
5 �C in the open air, in the tomb the average highest temperature was 17 �C and the lowest 15 �C. Relative humidity
was always around 100% in the tomb (Kenjo, 2000).
Nevertheless, with certain precautions, like special waterproofing, the humidity can be controlled. Before the
underground stacks of the National Diet Library in Japan were built, a special waterproof system was developed
(Kenjo, 2000). One disadvantage of this type of building however, is that it makes staff feel isolated. The installation
of an atrium reduces the ill effects as it allows sunlight to reach right down well into the ground as well as helping
to reduce the change of temperature and humidity inside the stacks (Kenjo, 1997). The use of underground storage
areas may, in principle, help to reduce energy costs but the high risk of flooding must be taken into account
(Schüller, 2000; Tam, 1997).
An interesting western example of a storage facility with a good climate for preservation is the basement of
Cologne Cathedral. Here historical documents have been stored under the cathedral for several hundred years and
they are in a very good state of preservation (Christoffersen, 1995). A lthough a subterranean location is a low energy
solution for maintaining relatively constant temperatures, there is a corresp onding dependence on electricity for all
lighting and for humidity control (Bellardo, 1995).
In South Africa, Stellenbosch University has designed one of the largest underground libraries in the world,
which is undeniably very successful. Special attention has been given to make the walls and foundations dampproof.
If water enters the area despite these measures it can be easily drained off. Effective roof drainage ensures
that all water drained from the outside surfaces of the building is removed via gravitational piping which helps to