Spacesaver Creates a Showplace at the University of Oregon 

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Responsible for the preservation of Michigan’s heritage, the DNR reached out to Spacesaver for their artifact’s storage solutions

See how Spacesaver's storage solutions have optimized storage and safeguarded Michigan’s history for generations to come. 

Preserving Heritage with the Care it Deserves

<h4>A Journey through Michigan’s History</h4>
<p>Preserving the history of an entire state comes with great responsibility. In the case of the state of Michigan, this role is carried out by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Previously accomplished within the walls of the Michigan History Museum, they found that the museum was quickly running out of available space on-site for the artifacts they had accrued over centuries of collecting. Knowing they needed to look outside of the Museum’s limited footprint to properly store their growing collections, they secured an off-site facility and the help of their local Spacesaver representative to ensure current and future artifacts would be secure for generations to come.</p>

<h2>Centuries Worth of Artifacts</h2>
<p>As it stood, the off-site facility was a space filled with pallet racks for a wide array of historical treasures. The museum wanted a shift toward a more organized and space-efficient storage method to maximize the facility's square footage and the display potential of these historic items. An innovative storage solution, <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high density mobile system product details">Spacesaver's High-Density Mobile Shelving Systems</a> were selected to transform the warehouse's storage setup. Offering the prospect of smaller compartments within the mobile systems to securely house and display the state's diverse array of artifacts, the mobile storage systems’ capabilities aligned perfectly with the museum vision.</p>

Curator of Collections

<h2>Archival Operations with High-Density Mobile Storage</h2>
<p>Our High-Density Mobile Systems, featuring <a href="/products/shelving" aria-label="shelving product details">4-Post shelving</a>, were customized to accommodate archival boxes with garment hangers, aligning with the State of Michigan's non-proprietary specification requirements for the bidding process. This attention to detail and ability to meet specifications set Spacesaver apart from competitors, ultimately leading the museum to choose Spacesaver's solutions for the project.</p>
<p><a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high density mobile system product details">Spacesaver's High-Density Mobile Systems</a> integrated seamlessly to provide the adaptability and efficiency needed to safeguard Michigan's heritage, ensuring that these valuable artifacts are preserved and accessible for generations to come.</p>

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Spacesaver’s high-quality preservation cabinets showcase musical artists of the past, securing records and space for the future.

Music Storage for the Souls

Church Is In The Sessions

<h2>In the Beginning</h2>
<p>The beautiful thing about music is that it transcends all physicality in that all it requires is a dedicated performer, a willing recipient, and a method of distribution. And, while many musicians have made a fine career and living out on the road, there’s no place like home.</p>
<p>The Church Studio, a historic landmark nationally and in the Tulsa music scene, originated as an episcopal church in 1915 and was converted to a music studio in 1972 by famed Tulsa-area performer – Leon Russell. Once a vibrant space for artists of all disciplines to perform and record their music, time had not been kind to the building, leaving it as a rundown shell of its former status. Knowing this, Teresa Knox, a Tulsa-area philanthropist and avid fan and collector of all things music – especially Russell’s – purchased the building to bring it back to its former glory. The goal was to ensure that any and all participants living in and visiting the area had a space to enjoy music of the past and create music for the future.</p>

Learn how Spacesaver helped this historic building tune up its collections storage. 

A Revival for the Records

<h4>Creating Perfect Harmony</h4>
 <p>After attaining the building, Knox began searching for the right partner to create an environment capable of securing priceless music collections, all while allowing intimate access for those who come to visit. Her search led to <a href="/partners" aria-label="local network and partners">Spacesaver’s local representative</a> at Southwest Solutions Group – with whom she found a consultant with a similar love for music and passion for preserving valued artifacts.</p>

Tulsa-area Philanthropist & Collector of All Things Music

<p>Knox stated that reputation was a key factor in choosing Spacesaver to transform the space from its neglected state to one of the highest quality showrooms in the industry. She reached out to local curators with whom our team had worked, as well as examined <a href="/museums" aria-label="museum storage solutions">larger scale, accredited projects</a> – giving her the confidence that not only would we be able to display the impact of her existing collections but have the capacity to carry the storage harmony in the space for years to come.</p>

<h2>A Noteworthy Composition</h2>
<p>Once the stage was set for renovation, our consultant went to work crafting the best possible arrangement for the wide array of artifacts Knox and other collectors had to share. First and foremost, the goal of creating the space – affectionately known as The Archive – was to allow permitted individuals to walk through the anthology of each artist on display, giving them a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artists’ work. To create the right mix of accessibility, adaptability, and preservation, our consultant utilized two <a href="/products/museum-cabinets" aria-label="museum cabinet product details">versatile museum cabinets</a>.</p>

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The Church Studio

See how we helped elevate this small town’s historical society to the next level of collections care.

Supporting A Storied Society

<h2>Expanding Access to Revealing Records</h2>
<p>When looking for information on their lineage or the heroic efforts of those who came before them, residents of Walworth County, Wisconsin need to look no further than their local Historical Society building. But it wasn’t always this way. Once a collection of facilities with specific focuses spread across the county, records-seeking residents now can find all this and more in one location: thanks to a deal from their local government and support from the experts and solutions at Spacesaver. </p>
<p>The <b>Walworth County Historical Society (WCHS)</b> is dedicated to the preservation of the county’s history. Functioning as a major research and exhibition center, the WCHS allows the public free access to its information during open hours. Primarily, the artifacts and records housed within the WCHS are donated by the residents of the county, resulting in a steady flow of items that is unlikely to cease from generation to generation. Knowing this and the capacity of its portfolio of facilities, the WCHS sought out additional space to support the invaluable service they provide to the community.</p>

<h3>Obtaining Opportunity for Expansion</h3>
<p>What started as an inquiry into the possibility of expanding their main building, quickly turned into the acquisition of a much larger space. When city administrators relocated their municipal services to a new building, the WCHS purchased the former Elkhorn City Hall building – built in 1931 – and began working with a museum consultant to renovate and modernize the building for its use in a phased approach.</p>

Walworth County Historical Society President 

<h3>Future Focused, Past Sustaining</h3>
<p>Upon evaluation of the newly acquired space, museum staff and the consultant knew they would need help to adequately store the records and items they currently possessed, while preserving space for future history. Ranging from maps to local artifacts, model airplanes, and memorabilia from the military, these noteworthy reminders required specialized solutions to ensure they are preserved for viewing by generations to come.</p>

<p>This is where they brought in their local representative from Spacesaver to help assess the space and develop a plan that would optimize the building’s layout and the association’s impact for the public. Utilizing a combination of <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high density mobile system product details">high-density mobile systems</a>, cabinets featuring <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-case-type-shelving" aria-label="draw and tray product details">Nantucket Drawers and Trays, and 4-Post Shelving</a>, materials waiting for processing or to go on display are held securely until staff can address them.</p>

<h2>Displaying Pride & Sacrifice</h2>
<p>Moving their Veterans Museum to the new facility was a high priority for the WCHS. Featuring artifacts dating from the Spanish-American War to present day, the museum offers a look into the role Walworth County residents played in shaping the foundation of the country.</p>
<p><b>“Our Veterans Museum was opened from donations provided by county VA and families who wanted the items to be shared with the public,”</b> said Boardman. <b>“In this new space, we’ll have rotating exhibits displaying what we have to offer from individuals throughout the county who served.”</b></p>

<p>Looking to find a way to display more of its ever-growing collection of uniforms, weapons, images, and artifacts, the WCHS contacted their Spacesaver representative to see what was available to boost both capacity and security of these historic items. Knowing that we had just the solution, our expert met with the WCHS staff to coordinate the installation of the newest solution within our art rack portfolio: the <a href="/products/art-racks/modular-art-rack" aria-label="mod glider art rack product details">Mod-Glider Pro™</a>.</p>
<p>After the installation was completed and the space renewed for public access, the Veterans Museum held a grand opening ceremony on Memorial Day Weekend. Now, with the <a href="/products/art-racks/modular-art-rack" aria-label="modular art rack product details">Mod-Glider Pro</a> in place, museum staff can more easily provide visitors with access to a larger number of pieces. In addition, staff has been able to more efficiently rotate collections in and out of display, delivering a dynamic space that maximizes community engagement.</p>

<h4>Delivering Timeless Support</h4>
<p>At Spacesaver, we understand that renovating a space or building new can be an expansive undertaking. Our experts have the necessary experience to deliver the solutions you need to create a storage system that will protect your collections now and into the future. As you think about designing a new or renovated collections area, contact us to arrange a free consultation. You’ll learn about your options and gain insight and inspiration from others who we have helped complete similar projects.</p>

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See a museum's space-saving and budget-friendly museum cabinet alternative. Secure stackable preservation solutions that adjust for you.

Drawers and trays on shelving provide a space-saving and budget-friendly alternative to museum cabinets.

The Ingenium Centre

<h2>A Diverse Collection</h2>
<p>Canada has a long history of scientific advancement, and the new Ingenium Centre in Ottawa was designed to protect and showcase artifacts that comprise the nation’s science and technology collection. The collection ranges in size from a train locomotive and other large vehicles to tiny electronic components.</p>
<p>“The wide range of scales was challenging,” said Helmut Klassen, an architect who worked on the project for the firm Diamond Schmitt. “We were working with things that were small enough to fit in my hand, up to tractors and boats. It’s the first time I’ve had to think about how to stack automobiles on shelves.” </p>
<h3>Promoting Accessibility</h3>
<p>Accessibility was the driving force behind the project. “As part of the funding process, we had to prove that our storage solutions would make objects in the collections more accessible to Canadians and anyone else around the world,” said Gordon Perrault, director of conservation and collection services.</p>
<p>The commitment to accessibility arose in part from the need to overcome inefficient storage in the previous system. “You often had to move several objects to get to the piece you needed,” Perrault said. “That wasted our time, and the unnecessary handling wasn’t good for the objects, either.”</p>

Architect

<h2>Space Optimization</h2>
<p>The 36,000-square-meter (nearly 390,000 square-foot) facility looks like it’s around ten stories tall from the outside, but the ceilings are so high that there are actually only four floors in the building.</p>
<p>Although the facility is large, the planning team still needed to optimize space. “We were aiming for as compact a volume as possible because of economic demands,” Klassen said. “We needed to maintain a reasonable size for the building.”</p>
<p>The need to optimize space had to be balanced with the essential requirement to protect and provide access to the collections objects stored in the facility. “It’s a number of layers of consideration, but it all starts with the collections themselves,” Klassen said. “They’re meant to be cared for over a long period of time. And the handling and storage aspect of it is very important, particularly over the long term.” </p>

<h2>Adding Capacity, Improving Accessibility</h2>
<p>To simplify an already complex design and construction process, the planning and design team wanted to work with a single storage provider. They chose Spacesaver, and they worked with Spacesaver’s engineers to create storage solutions throughout the facility.</p>
<p>They found that one of the most efficient solutions was using Spacesaver’s Nantucket Trays and Drawers on 4-Post shelving and extra-wide trays on <a href="/products/shelving/widespan-shelving" aria-label="widespan shleivng product details"
>RaptorRAC® Widespan Shelving</a>. The units were mounted on <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high-density mobile sytem product details"
>high-density mobile systems</a> to save even more space.</p>

<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0">Trays & Drawers on Shelving</h2>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0">A Place for Everything</h4>
<p>When you need convenient and compact storage but don’t need the welded frame and sealed interior environment that cabinets provide, explore your options for using trays and drawers on shelving.</p>
<p>The Nantucket system is a value-engineered alternative to Spacesaver’s museum cabinets, providing museum-quality drawers and trays inside a <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-case-type-shelving" aria-label="4-post shelving product details">4-Post Shelving</a> shell.</p>

<h3>Maximized Capacity</h3>
<p>Traditional cabinets often come in standard heights, with empty space above them in tall-ceilinged rooms. With so many objects to store, wasting space wasn’t an option in this facility.</p>
<p>“We installed trays and then had shelves above so we could maximize the capacity,” Klassen said. “The idea was that throughout the entire space, we needed to make sure that we used the space above. If we had chosen map cabinets or any other type of cabinets, we wouldn’t have been able to use the full height.” </p>
<h3>Improved Accessibility &amp; Organization</h3>
<p>Staff were relieved to find that the space-saving solution also improved their ability to find, retrieve, and study stored objects. “We can’t believe how easy it is to find pieces now,” Perrault said. “And the drawer units are so accessible: you can pull them out and the piece is right in front of you. The trays are huge, they slide well, and they’re lightweight, given their size.” </p>

<h2>Accessible Collections in Inspiring Spaces</h2>
<p>The new collections storage spaces have an expansive, open feel, with plenty of room to study objects right where they’re stored. “The sheer amount of space in the drawer-and-shelving units is truly impressive,” Perrault said. “I can’t even tell you how much space we’ve saved.”</p>
<p>On top of all the other benefits, the trays and drawers saved money, too. “Converting from our old map cabinets to the drawer units was both a space savings and a major cost savings,” Perault added. </p>

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The Ingenium Centre - Museum Cabinet Alternative

Take a look inside the new Art Preserve and get inspired by the visible storage solutions for its museum collections.

Designing visible storage solutions for a collection of artist-built environments required foresight, teamwork, and attention to detail.

Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center

<h2>Reflecting Artists’ Environments</h2>
<p>Storing and displaying artist-built environments present unique challenges. “These are instances where artists go beyond one-off pieces to create large-scale environments that they intend to be experienced as a whole rather than piecemeal,” said Sam Gappmayer, director of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. The collection includes a house covered in glitter, a complex work of sculpture that the artist believed had healing properties, and an artist’s yard that was populated by sculptures made out of concrete and found objects.</p>

<p>Many of the objects now featured at the Art Preserve were formerly stored in the John Michael Kohler Art Center’s underground storage facility and in off-site warehouses. The purpose of the Art Preserve was to consolidate these works under one roof, make them more accessible, and display them in a way that would give scholars and casual visitors a more complete sense of the environments created by the artists.</p>



Visible Storage Creates an Immersive Environment while also Protecting Collections

<h2>Visible Storage for Unique Museum Collections</h2>
<p>The design team wanted the building itself to reflect the artists’ creativity. The building is constructed of materials that many of the artists use in their work, like stone, wood, and concrete, and sculptural timbers at the building’s entrance evoke a woodland setting.</p>
<p>These themes continue in the building’s interior. “We didn’t want something boxy or orthogonal,” Gappmayer said. “These are often artists who take non-traditional paths, so there aren’t many 90-degree corners inside.” Each artist’s work is presented in a “tableau,” or a distinct, immersive setting that reflects their environment.</p>
<p>The design team worked with Spacesaver’s engineers to design creative visible storage solutions throughout the facility. </p>

<div style="position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://spacesaver.widen.net/view/video/p7uq7xwiuz/Video-Pull-out-Art-Racks-at-Art-Preserve-of-the-John-Michael-Kohler-Arts-Center.mp4?u=eaxwyy" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen title="Video for &quot;[Video] Pull-out Art Racks at Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center&quot;" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" ></iframe></div>

<div class="ssc-caption">Art racks form “walls” to create an immersive experience and allow staff to instantly change out works on exhibit.</div>

Director of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center

<div style="position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://spacesaver.widen.net/view/video/imaov50zbs/Video-Woman-opening-aisle-with-a-Mechanical-Assist-System.mp4?u=eaxwyy" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen title="Video for &quot;[Video] Woman opening aisle with a Mechanical Assist System&quot;" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" ></iframe></div>

<div class="ssc-caption">A small <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="compactor system product details">compactor system</a> is designed to accommodate future acquisitions.</div>

The end result is an engaging, dynamic facility with room to grow. “It’s a lively space,” Gappmeyer said. “It will lend itself to morphing as we continue to collect and rearrange different areas to be able to include new material that comes into the collection.”

<h3>Proven & Tested Quality</h3>
<p>Spacesaver was the ideal partner for the project. “There were lots of good reasons to go with Spacesaver,” Gappmayer said. “I’ve always had respect for the product Spacesaver makes and the brand is solid, with a good reputation. We were able to work with Spacesaver to create solutions that reflected a storage aesthetic, but that also protected the art in ways that it wouldn’t need to be protected in a back storage room.”</p>



<p>Download for more inspiration and planning help</p>

11 Tips for Designing Collections Areas

visible storage museum handing art storage

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 A new approach to fashion storage helped the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology achieve AAM accreditation.

A new approach to fashion storage helped this museum achieve prestigious AAM accreditation. Fashion Institute of Technology

Fashion Storage: The Museum at FIT

<h2>A renovated space for a stunning collection</h2>
<p>Located in the heart of Manhattan, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is an internationally recognized college for design, fashion, art, communications, and business. The Museum at FIT is open to the public and maintains an ambitious exhibition schedule, drawing from its extensive collection to mount five exhibitions per year.</p>
<p>The collection comprises around 50,000 objects from many of the world’s most well-known designers, from Adrian to Yves St Laurent. When pieces aren’t on display, they’re housed in two 5,000-square-foot climate-controlled rooms that are fitted with <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high-density mobile system product details">Spacesaver shelving on compact mobile systems</a>. Organized alphabetically by designer, the collections area is a model of best practices for collections storage.</p>

<h6>Achieving AAM accreditation was one of the main drivers behind the renovation.</h6>
<p>The area wasn’t always like this, though: the museum was founded in 1969 and the collections area had become overcrowded after decades of growth. An influx of new staff in the early 2000s led to a renewed desire to gain accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a prestigious distinction that recognizes museums that follow best practices and achieve their mission. The goal of gaining accreditation inspired a major effort to renovate the collections area.</p>

<h2>A Plan to Optimize Limited Space</h2>
<p>A significant portion of the AAM accreditation process involves following best practices for collections storage. Expanding the overcrowded storage rooms was out of the question, given the landlocked nature of FIT’s building and the demand for educational spaces within it. “We weren’t getting any more space on campus,” said Senior Conservator Ann Coppinger, who played an instrumental role in planning the renovation. “We had those two rooms and that was it. There would be no expansion, no adding on, and so we knew we had to maximize volume.”</p>
<p>The senior registrar, Sonia Dingilian, and her team conducted a thorough inventory to determine exactly what needed to be stored and how much space was needed to properly house and store thousands of costumes, shoes, hats, and other accessories. “We had to figure out the best way to store these objects within the space that we had,” Coppinger said.</p>

<p>They decided that the best way to maximize volume would be to install <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="compact storage system product details">compact storage systems from Spacesaver</a>. The layout is clean and simple: the architect relocated the access doors to create one long central aisle through each room, with compactors on either side. The units were fitted with <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-case-type-shelving" aria-label="4-post shelving product details">4-Post shelving</a> that was configured to optimize space on the interior.</p>

<h3>About AAM Accreditation</h3>
<p>Museum staff’s desire to pursue and achieve <a href="https://www.aam-us.org/programs/accreditation-excellence-programs/accreditation/" target="_blank">AAM accreditation</a> was one of the main drivers behind the renovation project. Accreditation is a rigorous process based on a self-study program as well as peer review. AAM accredited museums include the various Smithsonian museums and galleries, the California Academy of Sciences, and more.</p>
<p>All applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:</p>
<div style="display: flex;">
<ul>
<li>Public Trust and Accountability</li>
<li>Mission and Planning</li>
<li>Leadership and Organizational Structure</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Collections Stewardship</li>
<li>Education and Interpretation</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Financial Stability</li>
<li>Facilities and Risk Management</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>The program provides an excellent opportunity for museum professionals to pursue best practices and ultimately prove their value to funders, policy makers, and others.</p>

<h2>The property saw the following benefits</h2>
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<div>
<h6>Room to Grow</h6>
<p>Because the Museum at FIT continues to build its collection in a limited space, the fashion storage equipment was designed to provide room to grow without expanding the rooms’ footprint. The shelving can be reconfigured without special tools, and compact shelving allows staff to safely store many more objects in the same space as before.</p>
</div>
<div>
<h6>Partners in Precision</h6>
<p>The local Spacesaver distributor collaborated on the fashion storage system layout and performed the installation. “We gave all the dimensions to them and there was not one issue,” Coppinger said. “Everything was spot on. We were thrilled with the installation; it was totally perfect.”</p>
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<div>
<h6>A Secure Setting</h6>
<p>The Spacesaver system offers protection from dust, light, and any intentional and/or accidental discharge from overhead fire protection systems. Museum staff place and retrieve objects as needed, and museum visitors can view selections from the collection in the galleries. Researchers can view objects online and in study areas.</p>
</div>
</div>

Senior Conservator

<h2>Successful Accreditation</h2>
<p>Accreditation from the AAM involves a rigorous internal review of a museum’s facilities and practices, followed by an on-site evaluation by external museum professionals. Collections stewardship is one of the seven core standards on which a museum is assessed.</p>
<p>After years of preparation, renovation, rehousing, and organizing, the Museum at FIT received accreditation in 2012. The peer reviewers found the collections to be “well organized and carefully preserved.”</p>
<p>To others embarking on a storage facilities renovation Coppinger offered these words of advice: “You absolutely must have institutional support. And you have to be willing to learn about things they didn’t teach you in school. Listen to the architects, the space planners, the engineers. Draw upon their knowledge. It’s a lot of work, but it’s our job.”</p>

Director and Chief Curator

<h2>Your Partner in Collections Care</h2>
<p>Spacesaver is committed to helping museums and other institutions as they pursue best practices in protecting and preserving collections. For nearly 50 years we’ve offered innovative approaches to optimizing space and maintaining ideal preservation environments.</p>
<p>Our experienced local consultants, backed up by our in-house engineering and manufacturing professionals, can partner with your team to help preserve the past and prepare for the future.</p>



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Museum at FIT Fashion Storage

A regional collections care facility uses rolled textile storage to preserve flags and other artifacts.

Rolled Textile Storage for a Federal Agency's Collections Facility

<h2>Consolidating & Preserving Rolled Textiles</h2>
<p>A federal agency based in Washington, D.C. maintains on-site museums in every state, where a variety of cultural artifacts are preserved and displayed. In the past, individual museums were responsible for caring for and storing their own collections on site, but that model is gradually fading away in favor of larger collections care facilities that serve various regions around the nation. As more museums send their collections to these regional facilities, the facility managers need to find ways to save space while still adhering to the highest standards of collections care.</p>

<p>One of the largest regional collections facilities, located in suburban Maryland, supports a variety of collections care functions: curation, collections storage for regional museums, artifact preparation and restoration, emergency response, and temporary storage of collections threatened by flooding and other natural disasters.</p>
<p>In order to develop the most efficient plan for one area of the building dedicated to textile and artifact storage, the manager worked with his staff, visited other museum collections care facilities, and talked with his local Spacesaver consultant, who had worked on other museum projects at the facility and around the D.C. area.</p>

<h2>Compacting System for Cabinets & Rolled Textile Racks</h2>
<p>Because the collection consisted of a large number of three-dimensional artifacts as well as flags and other textiles, the planning team decided to purchase Spacesaver cabinets and <a href="/products/specialty-storage/rolled-textile-rack" aria-label="roled textile rack product details">rolled textile racks</a> and install them on Spacesaver compacting carriages.</p>

<p><a href="/products/museum-cabinets/preservation-cabinet" aria-label="preservation cabinet product details">Large Spacesaver cabinets</a> were fitted with shallow drawers to maximize vertical space within the cabinets, and the cabinets were mounted on carriages and rails to eliminate wasted space in the aisles. The cabinets hold a variety of smaller artifacts, from historic dishware to medals and belt buckles. Spacesaver <a href="/products/specialty-storage/rolled-textile-rack" aria-label="rolled textile rack product details">cantilever textile racks</a> were placed end-to-end along adjacent carriages, allowing staff to adjust the cantilever arms to precisely the right length and spacing. Base covers and canopy tops create a sleek, finished appearance and offer additional protection to stored items. “The cantilever carries an incredible amount of weight,” the manager said. “We were actually sort of dumbfounded at how much weight they carry.”</p>

The system has room for future growth, and additional rails and storage equipment can be added when the existing cabinets and textile racks are full.

<h2>Compact Cabinets & Rolled Textile Storage, with Room to Grow</h2>
<p>This creative solution has resulted in a clean, compact preservation environment that’s organized and accessible. “We needed a combination of the standard cabinetry on rails and a way to store textiles,” the manager said. “It’s a great combination because it provides us a great deal of high-density storage in terms of the cabinetry, and we also really like the textile storage capacity.”</p>

<p>Download this document to learn more about Cantilever Textile Racks</p>

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rolled textile collections facility install story

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Designing a shared off-site museum collection facility.

Saving a State's Cultural Treasures

<h2>Historic Challenges</h2>
<p>For decades, museum staff at several state entities in the state capital had been making the best possible use of less-than-ideal collections storage spaces. Their institutions were housed in historic buildings in the densely populated downtown, so they were forced to store objects in overcrowded storage areas, offsite overflow facilities, and the basement of a former downtown department store. Few of those spaces had been designed for collections storage, and staff were concerned that they weren’t able to provide the best possible preservation conditions. </p>


<h4>Challenges:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Inadequate temperature and humidity controls</li>
<li>Overcrowded storage areas</li>
<li>No room to expand</li>
<li>Aging plumbing and other infrastructure</li>
<li>Insufficient security</li>
</ul>
<p>The need for better collections storage became apparent back in the 1970s, when a shared purpose-built facility was first proposed. Due to ongoing budget constraints, facility planning didn’t begin in earnest until 30 years later. After another ten years of planning, design work, and construction, the new shared preservation facility was ready for occupancy.</p>

<h2>A State-of-the-Art Solution</h2>
<p>The new shared preservation facility is by far the largest and most technologically advanced facility of its type in the state. It houses 500,000 artifacts and 200,000 books in nearly 200,000 square feet of collections storage space. It features state-of-the-art climate control systems, modern security, and storage equipment that was designed specifically for the building and the collections.</p>
<p>Designing even a small collections storage area presents challenges, so a facility of this size and scope required careful coordination and years of research and planning. </p>

<h3>Work Table</h3>
<p>Archives staff with limited space need multi-purpose work areas. A movable work table provides a flat surface to lay out architectural plans and other documents, and it can be rolled out of the way to create a large open area to receive and process materials. This table features flat file cabinets on one side and 4-Post shelving on the other. Staff turn the mechanical-assist handle to move it along rails installed in the floor.</p>

<h3>Large Objects</h3>
<p>Large and heavy objects present special storage challenges. To keep them protected, organized, and accessible, furniture and other large objects are stored on <a href="/products/shelving/widespan-shelving" aria-label="widespan shelving product details">RaptorRAC® Widespan Shelving</a> mounted on high-density Spacesaver systems.</p>



<h3>Textiles</h3>
<p>Depending on the specific storage needs of particular flags, quilts, clothing, and other textiles, objects are stored either in oversized drawers, on rolled textile racks, or on hanging rods.</p>



<h2>Tip: Streamline Processes</h2>
<p>Moving to a new facility or collections area can be the perfect opportunity to photograph artifacts, inspect housing, and conduct other essential tasks. That was the case in this move, where staff developed streamlined processes to inventory, image, house, and pack objects.</p>
<p>Photographing objects was helpful in two ways. First, the photographs could be used to document the objects’ condition if damage were to occur during transport. Now, after the move, the photos are still in use: they make the collections accessible online, and staff can send photos to researchers in response to requests.</p>



“In my experience, most of the people who are in charge of designing museum exhibits are visual people, so they like to see everything out in front of them. Telling them something is in a box somewhere doesn’t make them happy. Now if they want to select a canteen for an exhibit, we can show them every canteen we have.”

<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0;">Military Artifacts</h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0;">The facility’s extensive military collection is housed on Spacesaver shelving.</p>



<h2>Tip: Be Realistic with Time Estimates</h2>
<p>When planning a new facility, making the best use of space is usually the main focus. That’s fine, but be sure to plan your time, as well. The planning process and the move will likely consume more time than you think. “Anyone who’s in this line of work is probably going to have the type of personality where it’s hard to not be in control,” said one of the collections managers on this project. “You’re in charge of where absolutely everything is and it’s difficult to delegate on a big, important project like this. Looking back, I realize that I probably took too much on. I probably should have asked for more help or budgeted twice as much time.”</p>

<h3>Insights & Inspiration for Your Collections Storage Project</h3>
<p>At Spacesaver, we understand that planning for new construction or renovation can be a daunting experience. Although every project has its challenges, we bring the expertise you need to create a collections storage system that will protect your collections now and into the future. Our in-house teams of engineers, project managers, and manufacturing craftspeople are ready to work with your local Spacesaver consultant to design, build, and install effective storage solutions that will stand the test of time.</p>
<p>As you think about designing a new or renovated collections area, <a href="/contact-us" aria-label="contact spacesaver">contact us to arrange a free consultation</a>. You’ll learn about your options and gain insight and inspiration from others who have undertaken similar projects.</p>

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Designing an Off-site Museum Collections Facility

Two museums merge to tell a more complete story of the Civil War. The merger also presented the chance to re-think the new museum’s storage design strategies.

Combining Collections

<h2>Two Museums Become One</h2>
<p>The new American Civil War Museum was created through the merger of two very different museums: the Museum of the Confederacy, which held the world’s largest collection of confederate artifacts, and the American Civil War Center, which was founded with the goal of explaining the war and its effects through the perspectives of enslaved and free African Americans, immigrants, and women.</p>
<p>The merger presented the opportunity to combine the museums’ collections and explain the Civil War more fully. The new facility would have more exhibition space and a new collections storage area.</p>
<p>Merging the collections presented challenges, but it also offered staff the opportunity to <b>re-think their museum storage design strategies</b>.</p>

<h2>An Opportunity to Improve Museum Storage Design</h2>
<p>Designing a new museum collections storage area is always a challenge, and this project was even more complex than usual. Space was limited and staff needed to find a way to store the combined collections in a way that would preserve the artifacts, optimize the available space, and provide room to grow in the future.</p>
<p>They called on the local Spacesaver consultant to gain a better understanding of their collections storage options. Over the next few years he consulted with them and with the project’s architects to ensure that the new collections area would not only provide the best preservation environment for the collections, but that the space would also be safe, efficient, and accessible for staff and visiting researchers.</p>

Thoughtful museum storage design resulted in creative solutions throughout the collections area.

<h2>Storing Swords & Scabbards</h2>
<p>The swords and scabbards in the museum’s collection vary in size and shape, and staff wanted to store them compactly while still keeping them organized. Foam mounts and steel supports can be moved to accommodate artifacts of different shapes and sizes.</p>

<h3>High-Density “Compactor” Systems</h3>
<p>To make the most of the collections area’s limited space, <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high density mobile system product details">high-density Spacesaver “compactor” systems</a> were designed specifically for the museum’s unique requirements. These compact shelving systems eliminate wasted space by mounting shelving and cabinets on carriages that move along rails installed in the floor. The systems are robust enough to handle the weight of furniture and other large objects, and they’re equipped with safety features to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.</p>
<p>Spacesaver systems were essential in creating enough space to accommodate the combined collections — and they provide room to grow in the future.</p>

<h2>Storing Flags & Other Textiles</h2>
<p>The museum’s flag collection, which is the world’s largest single collection of Confederate and Union flags and flag fragments, also needed special attention. Spacesaver created an efficient way to compactly store mounted and framed flags.</p>
<p>Some flags and other textiles need to be <a href="/products/specialty-storage/rolled-textile-rack" aria-label="rolled textile rack product details">rolled onto tubes for storage</a>. Cantilever racking fitted with adjustable arms provides an adjustable solution that optimizes space on the racks.</p>

<h2>Storing Saddles</h2>
<p>The historic saddles in the museum’s collection posed another storage challenge: they’re large, heavy, awkward to handle, and vulnerable to damage and decay.</p>
<p>To protect the saddles and stirrup straps while also optimizing space in the climate-controlled museum collections area, Spacesaver’s engineers designed sturdy steel mounts to store the saddles, as well as adjustable steel brackets to support the stirrups.</p>

<h2>Storing Small Museum Objects</h2>
<p>Museum staff had initially thought they would need museum cabinets to house thousands of musical instruments, medals, and other small objects, and they were concerned that they didn’t have the budget to purchase the large quantity of cabinets that would be required.</p>
<p>They were relieved to discover that <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-case-type-shelving" aria-label="4-post shelving product details">Spacesaver’s museum trays could be mounted on 4-Post shelving</a> to store objects that did not need the sealed interior environment or the strength that a welded museum cabinet would provide.</p>

<h2>Storing Historic Weapons</h2>
<p>A modern weapons rack provides compact storage for the museum’s historic long guns. <a href="/products/weapon-gear-storage/weapons-shelving" aria-label="weapon shelving product details">Spacesaver’s Weapon Rack III</a> was installed in 4-Post shelving, which was in turn mounted on a high-density storage system. The solutions saves space and keep rifles and other long guns safe and organized.</p>

<p>See how a college used museum trays on shelving with doors to create budget-friendly “cabinets” for storing small museum objects that did not need the protection offered by sealed and welded cabinets.</p>

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Combining Collections - American Civil War Museum

The Arizona State Museum is home to renowned pottery and basketry collections that reflect cultures of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Thanks to an innovative concept that combines storage and display, those collections can be viewed by any museum visitor.

Visible collections help visitors understand the breadth and depth of a museum’s holdings, while also protecting stored objects.

Visible collections at an Arizona museum

<h2>Improving Preservation & Access</h2>
<p>The Arizona State Museum, located on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, is the nation’s largest state-run archeological repository. It’s also home to renowned pottery and basketry collections that reflect cultures of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Thanks to an <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high-density mobile system product details">innovative concept that combines storage and display</a>, those collections can now be viewed not only by scholars but also by any museum visitor.</p>

<p>Nancy Odegaard, the museum’s head conservator, explained that preserving the collection has been and continues to be of utmost concern. When she left Harvard’s Peabody Museum to begin caring for the Arizona State Museum’s collections about 20 years ago, she was concerned that the lack of <a href="/manufacturing/temperature-controlled" aria-label="climate controlled storage details">climate-controlled storage</a> conditions would accelerate the artifacts’ deterioration.</p>

PhD, FAIC, FIIC, Head of the preservation division at the Arizona State Museum

<h2>Transforming Collections Areas</h2>
<p>A “Save America’s Treasures” grant awarded in 2000 laid the foundation for the transformation of the pottery collection’s storage and display space, as well as its conservation work areas. The pottery collection had been stored in various areas in two old buildings on campus, and the conservation work areas were cramped and outdated. The grant, along with generous contributions to the museum, allowed for the construction of a new state-of-the-art conservation lab, a stunning gallery space, and a unique vault that allows museum visitors to view the collection.</p>

<p>See more photos (including this museum’s basketry collection!) and learn about space planning considerations for visible collections areas.</p>

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See how an efficient collections storage layout transformed a basement into a model for collections care.

Staff at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, Illinois, turned an office building’s basement into a model collections care and storage facility.

Optimal Collections Storage Layout at a County Museum

<h2>New Location, New Approach</h2>
<p>When staff at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County first began thinking about relocating the museum to a repurposed office building, they initially wanted to house the collections upstairs. They were excited about the possibilities: the collections would be organized in innovative ways and would be more open and accessible than they had been before.</p>
<p>Over time, though, due to floor-loading issues and other concerns with the above-ground floors, they realized that the building’s basement would be the only practical place to keep the collections. Although they were disappointed at first, they realized that the large basement presented an excellent opportunity to determine an optimal collections storage layout.</p>
<p>After a thorough needs assessment and extensive design consultations, they were able to create a collections care and storage facility that showcases best practices in collections management.</p>

<p>Get the full story behind the Dunn Museum’s success and gain access to all Spacesaver’s case studies and product information.</p>

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Superintendent of Educational Facilities

<h2>Optimal Preservation for Archives</h2>
<p>The new archives area is designed to simplify workflows and create an optimal preservation environment, while also maximizing space. For instance, Spacesaver’s <a href="/products/museum-cabinets/archival-flat-file" aria-label="flat file cabinet product details">flat-file cabinets</a> do double duty: the cabinets provide protection for large maps and other paper items that should be stored flat, while also supporting a countertop that serves as a convenient workspace. The museum saved even more space by installing shelving for books and archival boxes on a <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="compact mobile system product details">compact mobile system</a>.</p>

<h2>Easy Access to Framed Art and Textiles</h2>
<p>Framed art and textiles had previously been stored in various areas around the museum, and they took up a lot of space. The new collections area features a series of Spacesaver’s <a href="/products/art-racks" aria-label="art rack product details">art racks</a> and textile racks on compactors, providing efficient storage for hanging art as well as rolled textiles like flags and blankets. The textile racks are fully configurable, with various tube lengths and adjustable arms, which means that every cubic inch of space can be used.</p>

<h2>Protecting from Water Damage</h2>
<p>Because the collections storage area is located in a basement, staff were concerned about the possibility of leaks from overhead plumbing. To prevent the risk of water damage, they asked Spacesaver for water shields that would fit on top of the compact shelving units in the archives. These systems are designed to keep water off shelving and channel it away.</p>
<p>Water shields are just one of the ways we can help mitigate risk in museums and archives. Download our guide to learn more.</p>


<h2>Protecting Artifacts</h2>
<p>In order to minimize handling and disturbance, museum staff wanted to be able to access and view artifacts without moving them, and without needing to move other objects out of the way. <a href="/products/museum-cabinets" aria-label="museum cabinet product details">Cabinets</a> fitted with pull-out trays provided the ideal solution.&nbsp;To make the most of limited space, <a href="/products/shelving/widespan-shelving" aria-label="widespan shelving product details">widespan shelving</a> and cabinets were fitted onto compactors that glide along rails.</p>

<h2>An Enduring Solution</h2>
<p>Through smart planning and purchasing, staff at the Dunn Museum were able to transform a less-than-ideal location into a showplace. And by choosing Spacesaver as the single-source provider for cabinets, compactors, rolled textile racks, and other equipment throughout the entire collections care and storage facility, the museum was able to simplify purchasing and project management processes.</p>

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