Museum buildings perform ambitious demands for sound conditions of exhibits and comfort of visitors. There is a narrow allowance for room temperature and relative humidity, which has to be maintained for varying situations of weather and occupancy. Lighting has to assure an excellent visual performance but to avoid deterioration of exhibits. Energy consumption can be kept extremely low contrariwise. Several high quality and low energy museum buildings could be realized recently by utilization of energy efficient measures and renewable energies. Outstanding pieces of architecture, e.g. Kolumba Art Museum, Cologne (architect P. Zumthor), Emil-Schumacher-Museum, Hagen (architect M. Lindemann), are presented and integrated advanced technologies like thermal active room surfaces, low air change ventilation, geothermal heating and cooling, and controlled daylighting are explained. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.