Showcase Mar 12.indd1 MAGAZINE | 2012 CLICKNETHERFIELD By AppointmenttoHMTheQueen ClickNetherfi Display CaseSuppliers Livingston SHOWCASE eld Limited Museum ofArchaeology and Cambridge University’s The redevelopment of TRANSFORMATION ACCESS SUPPLIED Anthropology 8 16 24 16 8 fi Breathing new lifeintooneofthe nest Victorian buildingsinBritain nest Victorian DRAMATIC UNVEILED Liverpool’s famouswaterfront A stunning new addition to A stunningnewadditionto A WONDROUSPLACE A look at the Natural History A lookattheNaturalHistory Museum ofUtahproject the doors 1.5 millionvisitorsthrough 2011 there havebeenover Since openingon29thJuly OF SCOTLAND NATIONAL MUSEUM BLAZING TRAILS with AJHiggs 12/04/2012 12:37 2

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Display Case Suppliers ClickNetherfi eld Limited Livingston

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IN THIS ISSUE CONTENTS NEWS ROUND-UP SEA STORIES Global expansion, 14 The undertaking of the 04 conference follow-up, fi rst major refurbishment research collaboration exercise in around 20 and our new line of years at Arbroath Signal customer services. Tower Museum.

Welcome to the 2012 edition NEW PRODUCTS SCOTLAND’S OTHER of Showcase, ClickNetherfi eld’s 05 UPDATE 15 CROWN JEWELS annual magazine produced for our The latest additions to Returning James V’s customers, our industry contacts, the ClickNetherfi eld 16th-century palace our network of distributors, our showcase design range. at Stirling Castle to joint venture companies and of its former renaissance course our staff. HOME TO A MILLION magnifi cence. 2011 was a successful year for 06 THOUGHTS the business in our home market, Julien Parsons on the A WONDROUS PLACE working on the two largest recent redevelopment 16 A stunning new addition projects available in the UK at at the Royal Albert to Liverpool’s famous the Museum of Liverpool and the Memorial Museum. waterfront. National Museum of Scotland. Internationally, we also enjoyed ACCESS SUPPLIED DRAMATIC renewing acquaintances with The 08 The redevelopment of 20 TRANSFORMATION Art Gallery of Ontario and also Cambridge University’s UNVEILED completing the brand new and Museum of Archaeology Breathing new life into highly prestigious Natural History and Anthropology. one of the fi nest Victorian Museum of Utah. buildings in Britain. THE START OF AN ERA Sadly, the end of 2011 saw the The National Maritime BLAZING TRAILS untimely passing of our former 10 Museum’s new £36.5 A look at the Natural Chairman and friend John French. 24 John is missed by all who knew him. million project. History Museum of Utah project with AJ Higgs. In terms of the year to come, I TRAGEDY am pleased to say that we are 11 REMEMBERED DRAWING ON preparing ourselves for another Ulster Folk and Transport 26 EXPERIENCE busy one with a substantial Museum unveil Titanic An incredible visible new project in Qatar and a very exhibition to mark the storage solution created for interesting project at Manchester centenary of the ship’s the Art Gallery of Ontario. Museum that we look forward to launch. working on. VITAL STATS I hope you will fi nd this edition of NEW REPLICATING OLD 27 The low-down on a Showcase to be an exciting and Providing bespoke project we’re currently informative read. Please continue 12 solutions for English working on at Toronto to send us your comments and Heritage. Reference Library. ideas – we love hearing from you. IN THE FIRING LINE EASTERN PROMISE The ground-breaking new 30 Developing relationships Jim Stewart 13 Firing Line museum at in the East. Cardiff Castle.

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NEWS NEWS ROUND-UP CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP CUSTOMER SERVICES DIVISION Thanks to all who attended our We are pleased to announce the Events annual conference held in association forthcoming launch of a new line of with National Museums Liverpool in services offering showcase maintenance December. As in previous years, the and accessories, including retrofi t diary event was hugely popular with a great conservation equipment. Keep an eye turnout on the day. on our website for more information. This year’s format covered the 2012 GLOBAL EXPANSION major aspects of managing a 27th April museum project, such as design, site Our network of global distributors construction and cost management. is growing. During 2011 we signed contracts with three new distributors Touring Exhibitions Group The new Museum of Liverpool was in Spain, Kuwait and Denmark. Marketplace – Edinburgh, U K used as a case study and many of the Our current distributors: www.teg.org.uk speakers focussed on their involvement in the project; discussing both the Australia Designcraft successes and the challenges. You China Sichuan ClickNetherfi eld 29th April–2nd May can read more about the Museum of Exhibition and Display Co Ltd. Liverpool on page 16. Denmark Kvorning Design and Am erican Association of Watch this space for information about Communication Museums Annual Conference our 2012 conference… Egypt Techno Master for Metal – Minnesota, USA – Industries www.museum expo.org Greece ANACO Ltd Japan Bevel Corporation Kuwait City General Trading & Contracting Company 16th-17th May Kuwait Museums & Heritage Show – Qatar Qatar Vision Projects London, U K – Singapore Trika (S) Pte Ltd www.museumsandheritage.com Spain Ypuntoending, S.L. Museum of Liverpool Project Turkey NIK Insaatt Ticaret Llt, Sti Director, Sharon Granville USA Maltbie Oc to b e r ClickN eth erfield Annual Conference – date and venue RESEARCH COLLABORATION T BC – ClickNetherfi eld are involved in a We have donated two cases to James www.clicknetherfieldevents.com research project being conducted by for the duration of the project, in which PhD student, James Crawford at the the air exchange mechanisms are University of Warwick. James is studying currently being studied closely with the 8th–9th November as part of the Analytical Science eventual aim of fi nding ways to further Museums Association Annual Projects group within the Physics lower this air exchange. Department, and is being supervised Conference & Exhibition – For more information about the by Professor Mark Dowsett. The Edinburgh, U K – project, please visit research is also in collaboration with www.museumsassociation.org/ www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/ English Heritage and aims to improve research/condensedmatt/sims/ conference passive climate control for museum groupmembers/jamescrawford/ conservation grade display cases.

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NEW PRODUCTS PRODUCT UPDATE AT CLICKNETHERFIELD WE INVEST HEAVILY IN RESEARCH NEW PRISM We are currently redesigning our Prism case with a view AND DEVELOPMENT. AS WELL to improving the aesthetics. The new Prism will also come AS CONSTANTLY WORKING ON with additional install options, increasing fl exibility and INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS display possibilities. FOR BESPOKE CASES, WE ARE CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING OUR OWN SHOWCASE DESIGN RANGES. We have now added the stylish Mono 6 to match the highly successful Inca 6 range. We will also be launching our new Prism 6 in the next few weeks.

NEW MONO Our new Mono is available now. The improved Mono features surface-bonded glass technology, resulting in a stunning minimalist look, and bringing a fresh and contemporary edge to any display.

SHOWCASE DOOR CONTROL We have developed a fantastic new system whereby large showcase doors and other electronically operated cases can be controlled remotely using hand-held tablet computers. We are using the system on our project at The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth where the largest door is a staggering 2080mm wide, 2750mm tall and weighs 300kg. Get in touch if you’d like to see a video demonstration of the door control in action.

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HOME TO A MILLION THOUGHTS SENIOR COLLECTIONS OFFICER AT THE ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM, JULIEN PARSONS DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES OF THE RECENT REDEVELOPMENT

The redevelopment of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter has taken about a decade to complete from initial discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to the re-opening of the museum in December 2011. Before the project, RAMM was a well-performing regional museum attracting around 250,000 visitors a year, but many of the displays needed modernising and the building needed improved visitor access and facilities. The project cost almost £24 million in total, with funds coming mainly from the HLF and Exeter City Council. Exhibition Design: Ralph Appelbaum Associates Fit-out Contractor: The Benbow Group RAMM’s collections are amongst the best in a regional museum in the UK, both the budget and timetable without a coveted spot amongst the ten names consisting of over one million individual compromising on the quality of the on the 2011 Art Fund prize for museums objects and specimens from all over fi nished product. and galleries. the globe. The exhibition design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) has The staff at RAMM couldn’t have The design and quality of created a visually stunning voyage of prepared themselves for the public ClickNetherfi eld’s showcases have discovery for visitors; galleries draw on reaction to the new displays; over allowed RAMM’s display scheme to a wide variety of collections to tell the 100,000 visitors in the fi rst 10 or so work so successfully. We needed to history of the museum, its collectors weeks. Some periods were so busy achieve the necessary environmental and the stories behind our objects and that the doors had to close because conditions within cases, including many specimens. the building was at capacity! The top different types of material, and a simple terms used to describe the museum and unfussy look to the cases to ensure As with all major capital projects, we are ‘high quality’, ‘educational’ and that the visitors’ attention was focused faced challenges of time and budget. ‘family friendly’, and RAMM has earned on the displayed objects. It was also Unexpected structural issues with important that ClickNetherfi eld worked the Victorian museum meant that the The design closely with our fi t-out contractors, building phase was behind schedule, Benbow who were responsible for much with consequences for the design and quality of of the internal architecture of the cases. and fi tting out of the galleries. We ClickNetherfi eld’s The fi nal result is a testimony to the worked closely with RAA and our strength of the whole display team. fi t-out contractors Benbow to bring showcases have allowed the scheme back to budget, but the RAMM’s display scheme Exhibition Design: Ralph Appelbaum timetable was always challenging. Associates. Fit-out Contractor: The ClickNetherfi eld needed to respond to to work so successfully.” Benbow Group

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7 Photography © The Benbow Group Benbow The © Photography Showcase Mar 12.indd 7 8 Photography © zedphoto.com

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ACCESS CAMBRIDGE, UK SUPPLIED EXHIBITIONS CO-ORDINATOR AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY’S MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY, DR MARK ELLIOT TELLS US ABOUT THE MUSEUM’S REDEVELOPMENT.

Since opening in 1913, the museum The showcases that we were essentially creating has had little renovation work carried a new-build within an old building out. With a 300% increase in visitors are fundamental also raised problems, however we over the last 5 years, we felt that it to the new galleries, were grateful for inevitable delays in was long overdue a restoration to building work which gave us a bit more increase accessibility and help us to and we’re very pleased time. From a curatorial perspective, create something more like the public with them” trying to present our collection (not institution that we feel the museum all of which is the most glittering!) deserves to be. For a long time we’d ground fl oor. This would give us a new in a visually exciting way was also wanted to redo our archaeology front door with a reception area and a challenging, but this is hopefully one of galleries, and for an even longer time shop, a new temporary exhibition space the things we have achieved quite well; we’d wanted a front door! Previously and new archaeology galleries. It was attempting to relate the objects to one access was gained via the courtyard hoped that this would improve the general another and to people and to convince and looked a little forbidding. orientation of the museum overall. people to ‘look again’ because every object tells many stories. So with funding mainly from the Li Ka The project brought some challenges. Shing Foundation and the We were hoping for a time scale of 3 We think the new space looks fantastic DCMS-Wolfson Fund, we commenced years to complete the project, however and are delighted with the fi nished a project to completely redevelop the in reality we got 13 months. The fact results. It is brighter, airier, and generally a much more pleasant space to be in. We’re also looking forward to being able to do a lot more with our collections thanks to the TESS Demountable cases we got for our temporary exhibition space.

The service ClickNetherfi eld provided was terrifi c. From the early stages of negotiating the order to installation completion, all went smoothly and problems were dealt with effi ciently. The installation team themselves were top notch, and we were pleased with Exhibition Design: At Large how quickly everything came together.

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GREENWICH, UK THE START OF AN ERA

Photography © Philip Vile Exhibition Design: Real Studios Exhibition Fit-out: The Hub

THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM UNVEILED ITS BRAND NEW SAMMY OFER WING LAST JULY, A MASSIVE £36.5 MILLION PROJECT THAT AIMS TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF A RADICAL NEW ERA FOR THE INSTITUTION. Made possible thanks to a whopping The cases from Neher said “The general opinion, from donation of £20 million from shipping comments volunteered rather than magnate Sammy Ofer, who sadly died at ClickNetherfi eld sought, is that the Voyagers Gallery the beginning of June last year as well are very elegant, pleasing cases from ClickNetherfi eld are very as £5 million from the Heritage Lottery and accessible” elegant, pleasing and accessible. Fund, the new wing includes both I agree. They effortlessly cantilever permanent and temporary exhibition Albert Neher, Head of Object out into the gallery and attract visitors galleries, a café, brasserie, library, lounge Conservation, National Maritime Museum to them, in spite of the spectacular area and signifi cantly increased space for biscuit. ClickNetherfi eld provided multimedia display happening in front the museum’s vast archive. display casing for the length of a 36m of the cases. Dominated by a long, multi-faceted wall in the gallery, installing 2 bespoke “On the working side, the doors wave-like structure in the centre, onto integrated multi-bay Incas and 1 function fl awlessly and the which bespoke video is projected, wall-mounted Prism. We carefully environment is minutely stable. The the permanent Voyagers Gallery tells tailored the design of our existing Inca Mini-clima units are well placed for the story of Britain and the sea from design in order to make perfect use of access and maintenance. These are the 16th to the 20th century through the space available. the features one looks for in a case objects ranging from Nelson’s last letter Head of Object Conservation at the and I feel that ClickNetherfi eld have to his daughter to a 200-year-old ship’s National Maritime Museum, Albert achieved this with style.”

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TRAGEDY N. IRELAND, UK REMEMBERED

Photography © Rory Moore Designers: Haley Sharpe Design Exhibition Fit-Out: Patton Heritage

WILLIAM BLAIR, HEAD OF HUMAN HISTORY AT ULSTER FOLK AND TRANSPORT MUSEUM TALKS ABOUT THEIR EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO TITANIC, OPENED TO COINCIDE WITH THE CENTENARY OF THE SHIP’S LAUNCH.

The exhibition, entitled ‘TITANICa’, opens a window on human endeavour, engineering this was overcome and the explains why Titanic and her sister innovation and industrial prowess. case now forms the centrepiece of ships, Olympic and Britannic were built the exhibition. Presenting the collections beautifully, in Belfast and how local enterprise and the ClickNetherfi eld showcases form With the anniversary of the ship’s skills combined to produce vessels of the core architecture of the gallery; sinking approaching, we expect the exceptional quality and design. Visitors arranged in an unusual circular exhibition to maintain its popularity for to the exhibition can discover life on formation, creating an outer and inner a while yet. board through original artefacts and ring around which visitors can circulate personal stories that explore the loss of to engage with different narrative Titanic in 1912. themes. Large double-sided cases The At Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, divide the two main spaces, enabling Titanic is a theme we’ve always been visitors to explore in detail the rich and showcases interested in and have had various unique collections. exhibitions relating to it for 25 years. form the core Since opening, the new exhibition has One 7m long case intended to created a renewed sense of excitement accommodate the ship’s long plans architecture of around the Titanic – a story of human posed a particular design challenge for and maritime tragedy, but one that also ClickNetherfi eld, but with some clever the gallery”

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BIRMINGHAM, UK NEW REPLICATING OLD Photography © zedphoto.com

CONSERVATOR, BETH STANLEY EXPLAINS WHY ENGLISH HERITAGE WANTED NEW SHOWCASES WITH A VERY SPECIFIC LOOK AND FEEL AND HOW CLICKNETHERFIELD WENT ABOUT PROVIDING THESE BESPOKE SOLUTIONS.

Established in 1881, JW Evans is one fi nished product as Evans always sold frame we are confi dent that the of the most complete surviving historic to other manufacturers and normally environmental performance and factories in the Jewellery Quarter of supplied ‘in the rough’. The company security will be an improvement on Birmingham. The buildings still contain they supplied to would then plate and the original cases. They can also be all the machinery, fi xtures and fi ttings, as polish the objects and stamp them safely opened by one person, which is well as an extremely complete archive. with their own makers mark. excellent. All in all the cases look great English Heritage stepped in to rescue and are performing as we would hope! We have images of the original the factory in March 2008, after a number showroom which contained these items of other initiatives to save the factory had JW Evans is open to the public from and wanted the room to look as similar failed. The project was funded by English April – September by pre-booked as possible, with blue fabric interiors Heritage, with some grant assistance guided tours only (many of the and narrow wooden frameworks. from Birmingham City Council. guides are ex-employees). We have been very pleased with the The cases contain some examples of fi nished result as it has retained the look Booking is through Customer the huge range of silverware that JW of the original showroom. Services 0870 333 1181 and details Evans manufactured. This collection are on our website. is very important, as often they are The showcases look good, and as the only examples we have of the the cladding is fi xed to a standard

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IN THE CARDIFF, UK FIRING LINE

Exhibition Design: Furneaux Stewart

Photography © The Firing Line Museum Exhibition Fit-Out: Paragon Creative

CURATOR, RACHEL SILVERSON WRITES ABOUT THE GROUND-BREAKING NEW FIRING LINE MUSEUM AT CARDIFF CASTLE, ALSO KNOWN AS CARDIFF MUSEUM OF THE WELSH SOLDIER.

Forming an innovative collaboration regimental collections to be fully monitoring policies, so each display case between 1st The Queen’s Dragoon utilised and appreciated. was fi tted with a silica gel tray. Silica gel Guards and The Royal Welsh, the Firing controls the impact that relative humidity Security was an important consideration Line Museum highlights collections and temperature may have on our during the showcase design stages, relating to the Welsh Cavalry and Infantry artefacts. These trays have also proved to as was the need for easy access to the simultaneously in a contemporary and be an ideal location for ‘trembler’ alarms, cases. The fi nished cases have anti- fully accessible space. giving additional security. bandit glass and alarms, ensuring that The two Regiments have had to ‘think the security requirements of the museum The contemporary design of the Firing outside the box’ about how their were met; and for ease of access, the Line Museum has facilitated options heritage could be re-interpreted to display cases were manufactured with for the installation of three in-house appeal to a wider and more diverse doors that open once unlocked by temporary exhibitions annually within a audience group. The new museum specialist keys, which in turn disable any display case especially designated for uses a chronological layout, and alarms in use within individual cases. changing displays. focuses on more social-historic Ideally for a small team, the display cases To fi nd out more about our context. It has also implemented a new can be opened by one person. temporary exhibition and events and changing exhibition programme A key change within the new museum programme please visit to allow the range and diversity of was the introduction of environmental www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk.

Showcase Mar 12.indd 13 06/04/2012 12:28 14 ARBROATH, UK Photography © zedphoto.com SEA STORIES ARBROATH SIGNAL TOWER MUSEUM CALLED IN CLICKNETHERFIELD RECENTLY WHEN THEY UNDERTOOK THEIR FIRST MAJOR REFURBISHMENT EXERCISE IN AROUND 20 YEARS.

Next to Arbroath’s picturesque harbour, Generations of keepers and their The museum displays are a reminder; Signal Tower Museum is housed within families lived in the Signal Tower shore not only of the old ways of saving the original shore station for the Bell station watching over the lighthouse lives at sea but also a reminder of the Rock Lighthouse. The museum was from the relative safety of Arbroath continuing dangers of the sea. refurbished and upgraded as part of harbour. Museum displays tell their A museum spokesperson said: “We the 2011 Year of the Light celebrations stories too. The lifestyle of those are delighted with the ClickNetherfi eld marking the 200th anniversary of the families, tied to the never-ending showcases. They have transformed the Bell Rock Lighthouse. need to keep a light shining from the displays and the quality of the design, lighthouse through summer and winter Models, multimedia displays and construction and build of the cases calm and storm, is almost forgotten historic objects help museum visitors is clear for all to see. The fi rm also in the 21st-century world of mobile to explore the history of the lighthouse. provided us with a professional, helpful phones and instant communication. What were the dangers of the sea that and prompt service from the word go.” led to the need for a lighthouse? Why was its construction so challenging? The ClickNetherfi eld showcases have What engineering innovations were incorporated into its design? Who were transformed our displays and the the personalities involved and did they always agree on the correct approach to quality they represent is clear for all to see” overcoming the challenges? Spokesperson for Arbroath Signal Tower Museum

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Exhibition Design: Studioarc Design Consultants

Photography © zedphoto.com Interpretation Project Management: Matthew Johnson SCOTLAND’S OTHER CROWN JEWELS WE RECENTLY SUPPLIED A SERIES OF BESPOKE CASES FOR THE STIRLING HEADS GALLERY AT STIRLING CASTLE, IN WHAT WAS PART OF A WIDER £12 MILLION HISTORIC SCOTLAND PROJECT TO RETURN JAMES V’S 16TH-CENTURY PALACE AT THE CASTLE TO ITS FORMER RENAISSANCE MAGNIFICENCE.

Created in the mid 16th century and The 34 remaining original Heads have Heads gallery, was seven years in the often described as Scotland’s other been safely housed in environmentally making and has signifi cantly enhanced Crown Jewels, the Stirling Heads are controlled ClickNetherfi eld showcases the visitor experience at Stirling Castle. metre wide oak medallions carved with to preserve them for visitors to see. The Feedback from visitors has been depictions of Scottish royalty, mythical gallery also contains interpretation to incredibly positive, and visitor numbers heroes and Roman emperors. Now a explain the signifi cance of the characters have increased. precious national artistic treasure, the represented. Visitors can see the replica The Palace was offi cially opened in July Heads originally decorated the ceiling hand-carved and painted Heads set on 2011 by Her Majesty the Queen and of the Palace’s royal apartments. In the the ceiling of the King’s Inner Chamber Prince Philip, truly giving the project renovated apartments, replica Heads in the Palace; and then compare these the royal seal of approval that it is so have been created and painted in with the originals. worthy of. bright colours, as the originals almost The completion of the Palace project, certainly were judging by traces of paint including the creation of the Stirling found to be on them.

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Showcase Mar 12.indd 16 06/04/2012 12:28 17 LIVERPOOL, UK

A WONDROUS PLACE THE NEW MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL LAUNCHED ON 19TH JULY 2011, 100 YEARS TO THE DAY THAT ITS ICONIC NEIGHBOUR THE ROYAL LIVER BUILDING OPENED. A STUNNING NEW ADDITION TO THE CITY’S FAMOUS WATERFRONT AND ITS VIBRANT CULTURE, IT DEMONSTRATES THE CITY’S UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD, SHOWCASING POPULAR CULTURE WHILE TACKLING SOCIAL, HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES.

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The creation of fi ve of the galleries in this new landmark building on Liverpool’s historic waterfront has been a wonderful opportunity for our design and project delivery teams and has resulted in a museum that we’re all immensely proud of. The new galleries give unprecedented access to more than 10,000 objects from the vast wealth of collections held by National Museums Liverpool, many of which have never been on public display and each presenting different challenges. There is every type of object here, from a steam locomotive to delicate textiles, requiring showcases that provide a safe environment for their display.” Laury Redman, Partner, Redman Design

The new museum builds on the success of the former Museum of Liverpool Life. This original award-winning museum was housed in the old Pilotage and Salvage Association buildings on Liverpool’s waterfront, in between the Albert Dock and Pier Head. Its popular displays looked at the life, work and leisure activities of Liverpool people from all walks of life over the last 200 years. After 13 fantastic years the Museum of Liverpool Life closed its doors to the public for the last time on Sunday 4 June 2006, to allow preparations for building work for the new museum to begin.

Liverpool’s story is fascinating, its culture rich and its history long. The aspirations and tenacity of its people have created a place with a diverse tale to tell. Taking on highs and lows of all proportions, this once prosperous city has encountered war, poverty and decline, yet continued to fl aunt Exhibition Design: Haley Sharpe / Redman Design its unparalleled determination to re- Exhibition Construction Managers: Patton Heritage Cost Managers: Turner & Townsend emerge as an exciting and dynamic 21st century city. The museum was offi cially opened by Working alongside exhibition designers, The Museum of Liverpool is testament The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh Haley Sharpe and Redman Design, to this story and the ambitions of its on 1 December 2011, and is the largest as well as fi t-out contractors, Patton people and will remain a legacy to those newly built national museum in Britain for Heritage, ClickNetherfi eld designed and who have shaped the city and continue more than a century with 8,000 square manufactured a total of 173 cases for to infl uence its history. More than 10,000 metres of public space across three fl oors. the museum. We provided a complete local people have been consulted on Powered using state-of-the-art renewable FES (fl exible exhibition system) package the content of the museum, which has and energy effi cient technologies, its to include reconfi gurable cases, walling enabled local people to present their combined heat and power (CHP) system and graphics to allow displays to interpretations of the Museum’s themes will reduce carbon emissions by 884 be updated at reasonable cost to through co-produced displays with tonnes each year - equivalent to the maintain the latest social relevance for Museum of Liverpool Curators. environmental benefi t of 88,400 trees. the museum.

Showcase Mar 12.indd 18 06/04/2012 12:28 Photography © zedphoto.com © Photography LIVERPOOL, UK 06/04/2012 12:28 19 eld delivered on this eld delivered eld on the Museum of Liverpool s objectives. ClickNetherfi Dominic Sore, Heritage Manager, Patton Heritage Manager, Dominic Sore, “Patton continued their long relationship with ClickNetherfi “Patton continued their long relationship the integration of a over two phases required project The delivery of this prestigious project. with a close working relationship number of specialist packages that could only be achieved ’ and mutual understanding of the project not only display cases but also the Flexible Exhibition System (FES) that was a requirement, vision.” critical component of the project Showcase Mar 12.indd 19 20 DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION UNVEILED

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THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND IN EDINBURGH HAS COMPLETED ITS MOST SIGNIFICANT REDEVELOPMENT IN OVER A CENTURY, BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO ONE OF THE FINEST

VICTORIAN BUILDINGS IN BRITAIN. EDINBURGH, UK

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16 new galleries, home to over 8,000 cost £47.4 million and was jointly funded objects, take visitors on an inspirational by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish journey through the wonders of nature, Government and various private donors. the cultures of the world and the ClickNetherfi eld were contracted excitement of science and discovery. by museum fi t-out specialists, Beck Working with the museum, the Interiors to design, manufacture award-winning Gareth Hoskins and install a total of 168 bespoke Architects has opened up and showcases over 15 of the 16 galleries. expanded the Museum’s public The new hinge we engineered for A fascinating challenge for us on this space, restoring and revitalising the the project project was the new bespoke hinged grandeur of the Victorian Grade A listed system we designed for building. Ralph Appelbaum Associates, seals to an adjacent fl ush glass panel, Ralph Appelbaum. international interpretive planners and it becomes quite a different challenge. designers, were responsible for creating Ordinarily, you’d think that a hinge Our existing hinge system achieves dramatic new exhibitions for visitors. for a piece of glass would be simple, this using a dual-action opening but when that hinge is fully visible, mechanism with two arms mounted Spectacular stone-vaulted spaces on has to support a glass door weighing within the system channel or within Chambers Street, originally used for up to 200kg and be able to close with a 150mm wide stainless steel or storage and hidden from public view, have precise geometry that hermetically powdercoated aluminium block. been excavated and sensitively developed The seemingly impossible challenge to form an impressive new Entrance from Ralph Appelbaum was to achieve Hall, accessible from street level and the same performance but from within a encompassing welcoming visitor facilities. 50mm square hinge housing. The use of A broad range of exhibition design laminated glass was a pre-requisite for approaches have been developed to the museum so solutions that may have bring the rich collections to life: from been possible with toughened glass a spectacular array of open-display were not an option. However, with some taxidermy to contemplative object-rich cunning lateral thinking, our clever installations; from an immersive cinematic design team rose to the challenge and experience to dramatic objects which delivered the fully customised solution act as focal points; and from hands-on that has been used throughout the interactives to displays of internationally stunning new galleries. important and unique objects. Since opening on 29th July 2011 there The redevelopment is the centrepiece have been just under 1.5 million visitors of a visionary Masterplan to realise a 21st through the doors; an extraordinary century museum which will stimulate and achievement as well as a testament to inspire people for generations. The project a very successful project. This is a proud moment in the history of a great museum – the climax of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation through which we have rediscovered our exceptional collections and breathed new life into a beautiful building. The result is a new National Museum of Scotland – a place where the cultures of Scotland and the world meet, and the arts and sciences connect. We look forward to sharing the results with our visitors now and those of many generations to come.”

Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director, National Museums Scotland

Showcase Mar 12.indd 22 06/04/2012 12:28 23 EDINBURGH, UK Photography © zedphoto.com

Architect: Gareth Hoskins Architects Exhibition Design: Ralph Appelbaum Associates Exhibition Fit-out: Beck Interiors Project/Cost Management: Turner & Townsend

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The cases are beautiful.”

Photography © AJ Higgs, used with the permission of Natural History Museum Utah Becky Menlove, Director of Exhibits & Public Programs at the Natural History Museum of Utah

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BLAZING TRAILS UTAH, USA AT THE END OF LAST YEAR THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH UNVEILED ITS NEW HOME AT THE SPECTACULAR RIO TINTO CENTER. AJ HIGGS, VICE PRESIDENT OF PROJECTS AT MALTBIE DISCUSSES THIS AMAZING PROJECT.

Nestled into the Wasatch Mountain Range, the Natural History Museum of Utah features some 34,000 square feet of exhibition space across 10 permanent galleries. Access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is, literally, outside the Museum’s front doors. So cleverly enough, the Exhibits inside the Museum are designed as a system of trails with dramatic switchbacks and overlooks along the way.

Nine thematic exhibition galleries

explore the Sky, Native Voices, Life, Building Architect: Ennead Architects Land, First Peoples, Lake (Great Salt Exhibition Designer: Ralph Appelbaum Associates Lake), Past Worlds, Our Backyard Fit-Out Contractor: Kubik Maltbie, Inc. and Utah’s Futures. The fi nal and 10th permanent gallery is titled “The sets the tone for visitors after they have showcases serve as milestones Canyon” and is aptly named with ascended the various galleries. amongst the gallery spaces. enormously high ceilings and vast Like the Native Voices cases, most “Rarely in a natural history museum do open spaces. But the Canyon is just of the showcases ClickNetherfi eld you walk in and have all your senses the beginning (although it serves as produced for this project were custom engaged,” says Tim Lee, a senior a literal centerpiece of the Museum solutions. In fact each of the exhibit designer at the museum. itself) while ascending through the twenty-one showcases they designed A ramp leads you into the cavernous dramatic elevation changes inside and fabricated for the Museum space of the Past Worlds gallery, the building, visitors may not even included stringent structural steel work, where you walk amid the feet of notice some of the structural and integrated LED lighting, elaborate huge dinosaurs, up to a level where construction challenges we overcame interpretive case interiors and modular you can look them in the eyes. “It’s a during the project. One example, a direct-to-substrate printed graphics. perspective not many of us have had”, large freestanding case in the Native says Lee, who stands just shin-high to Voices gallery literally spans a seismic Part of the First Peoples Gallery, the Barosaurus. expansion joint and straddles two one of the multi-bay showcases separate building slabs by being literally plunges into the slab of the Together with the RAA team and Staff cantilevered over a massive yet building and intersects a ‘working at the Museum, ClickNetherfi eld and concealed structural steel platform. archeological dig’ where visitors can Maltbie have produced one of the With an almost 40’ diameter circular learn how archaeologists study a site fi nest examples of a fully integrated showcase serving as the centerpiece, by touching, seeing, smelling and and carefully executed museum the Native Voices gallery serves as one listening. Surrounded by immersive showcase project in the world. of the highest points of the site and interactive and tactile exhibits, the

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TORONTO, CANADA DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE RYAN A. SKORCH, MALTBIE’S PROJECTS & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ON THE INCREDIBLE VISIBLE STORAGE SOLUTION WE CREATED FOR THE DAVID MILNE CENTRE AT THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO.

Returning to the AGO some 4 years on from the dramatic Transformation project, ClickNetherfi eld has completed a complicated new vertical storage drawer display unit to archival standards for the new David Milne Centre, which overlooks Grange Park. Fittingly enough, artist David Milne was born in southwestern Ontario near Paisley in 1882; he was the last of 10 children born to Scottish immigrant parents.

ClickNetherfi eld were asked to create a robust oak-clad structure to house 20 individual rolling drawers, each fi tted with a double-sided archival case capable of housing multiple pieces of art and archives. With internal display panels crafted from smooth powder-coated steel, we worked intimately with the AGO curatorial team to help devise an unobtrusive mounting system all based on the use of rare earth magnets.

ClickNetherfi eld fi rst carefully design developed and prototyped a full-height rolling archival drawer system for review; before completing installation of the gorgeously clad display in January 2012. Topped off with a custom patinated series of solid brass full-length handles, the piece is Architects: KPMB timeless, elegant and grounded. Photography © Josh Heise, used with the permission of the Art Gallery of Ontario Design and Build: Kubik Maltbie, Inc. Designed to house many of the approximately 3,000 sketches, Working again with ClickNetherfi eld has just letters, notebooks, early canvases and watercolours from all stages of been a fabulous experience. They create Milne’s career being gathered in one casework truly fi tting of the pieces of art for which dedicated space, this experimental initiative argues for the central role of they were designed to protect” archives in the museum. David Wistow, Interpretive Planner, Art Gallery of Ontario

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Architect: Teshima & Moriyama Architects Photography © Eric Schwab, used with the permission of Toronto Reference Library Fit-out Contractor: Kubik Maltbie, Inc. (TD Bank Gallery) VITAL STATS MALTBIE’S RYAN A. SKORCH GIVES US THE LOW-DOWN ON A PROJECT WE’RE CURRENTLY WORKING TOGETHER ON AT TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY.

A total of 30 new high-specifi cation because of his Japanese heritage and rare books, special collections and true showcases have been created for the his rise to become one of Canada’s most artifacts, the cases were built to the Toronto Reference Library for use in respected architects continue to inspire. highest standards both aesthetically and their newly revitalized spaces. The from a conservation perspective. Aptly titled “re:vitalize” – the effort Library is undergoing a fi ve-year $34 being led by the Toronto Public Library Additionally, being installed now as we million revitalization to recreate itself Foundation in support of the $34 million go to print are 10 high-specifi cation as Toronto’s foremost public centre for renovation of the Toronto Reference ClickNetherfi eld showcases for the lifelong learning, the exchange of ideas Library was the focus of our work with high-traffi c public space areas for and community engagement. Teshima & Moriyama alongside our rotating exhibitions. These areas The original library design, by Moriyama partners in Canada, Kubik. have been collectively named the and Teshima Architects has stood Gateway Experience. Created with A complete suite of 20 showcases each handsomely over the years as a Toronto powered vertical-lift access systems, with Amiran® anti-refl ective glass by landmark. Raymond Moriyama, who the all-Amiran® glass cases provide the Schott, gorgeous solid cherry cladding founded the fi rm in 1958, is a hero to ultimate in unobstructed object handling and sleek stainless-steel angled base many Canadians. His stories of being for the Library’s staff. plinths was delivered for the new TD interned during the Second World War Bank Gallery. Specifi cally designed for

Showcase Mar 12.indd 27 06/04/2012 12:29 28 CAIRO, EGYPT CAIRO CULTURE AND LEARNING WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNER IN EGYPT, ABDEL MONIM ANWAR FROM OUR DISTRIBUTOR TECHO MASTER FOR METAL INDUSTRIES, WE RECENTLY SUPPLIED SHOWCASES FOR THE CHILDREN’S CENTRE FOR CREATIVITY AND CIVILIZATION IN CAIRO. PROJECT ARCHITECT, MICHAEL MALLINSON RECOUNTS HIS EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THE PROJECT. Photography © Michael Mallinson

The long-awaited Children’s Centre for project has been managed by the Though the museum will offi cially Creativity and Civilization will open for Major Projects Division of the Egyptian be called the Children’s Centre for the children of Cairo soon. In a city with army. Managing Consultant on the Creativity and Civilization, it will no over 4.5 million children of school age, project, General Ashraf Fatteen has doubt be fondly known as the Cairo and where state pupils have barely a text worked enthusiastically to bring the Children’s Museum. book and no computers, the museum’s museum to fruition. state-of-the-art interactive facilities will The 14-acre site chosen for the In light of be a superb teaching resource. museum was an enclosed mature the country’s The project began in 2005 as the garden formerly serving as the brainchild of the now-deposed approach to the British Sporting Club on-going political president’s wife, Mrs Suzanne Mubarak. (on what was previously the fi rst airfi eld turmoil, the Its aim was to provide a space where in Africa and Asia), situated in the children and families could learn suburb of Heliopolis. The museum completion of this about the history and development itself is set over four themed fl oors, project is a testament of their country’s civilization through and the garden outside is very much a to the dedication and interaction and play. part of it, helping to explain all about the Nile and the history and geography commitment of the Since 2008, and continuing after the of Egypt over 400 million years. outbreak of the 2011 revolution, the staff working on it”

Showcase Mar 12.indd 28 06/04/2012 12:29 29 CORSICA, FRANCE Photography © Luc Boegly A MODERN MAKEOVER MUSÉE DE BASTIA IN CORSICA, FRANCE RECENTLY UNDERWENT A RADICAL TRANSFORMATION AS PART OF THE RESTORATION OF THE PALACE OF GOVERNORS. PROJECT ARCHITECTS, C+D ARCHITECTURE CALLED UPON CLICKNETHERFIELD FOR SOME STYLISH CUSTOM SHOWCASE SOLUTIONS.

On the northeast coast of Corsica, atop imposing cliffs sits the newly renovated Musée de Bastia within the Palace of the Governors. The museum represents a fresh and contemporary cultural experience, and has drawn in the crowds since it re-opened in 2010.

In 2004 the new cultural programme for the museum was established based on Bastia’s rich history; focussing particularly on its political, social, economic and artistic legacy. With an ever-expanding collection of exhibits, it became clear that the museum had to develop. Many parts which had been destroyed during the war were also renovated as part of these restoration works.

The result of this was a gallery space stripped bare to create Photography © Luc Boegly a versatile blank canvass. This allowed the designers to create a dramatic but harmonious marriage of ancient and modern, The fi nal result refl ects exactly the sympathetic to the demands of today’s museum-goers. conservation, presentation and ClickNetherfi eld understood and appreciated the unique nature of the brief and supplied cases which met both the technical specifi cation we desired” rigorous conservation requirements and striking design intent. C+D Architects

Showcase Mar 12.indd 29 06/04/2012 12:29 30 EASTERN CONNECTIONS EASTERN PROMISE THE HOME FROM HOME

IN DECEMBER 2011, DAVID Photography © Don Yap MUSEUM NICHOLSON AND PETER TAYLORSON FROM OUR CHINA OFFICE WERE INVITED TO 2011 HONG KONG FOR AN EVENING IN 2011 CLICKNETHERFIELD HOSTED BY THE SCOTTISH FIRST CONTINUED THEIR ONGOING MINISTER, ALEX SALMOND. AFFILIATION WITH AND The reception was held at the Hong SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY Kong headquarters of HSBC, and was OF LEICESTER BY SPONSORING attended by delegates from various THE MUSEUM 2011 – A Scottish trade sectors. The event, CONFERENCE HELD IN TAIWAN organised by the Scottish Council for BASED AROUND NATIONAL Development & Industry, celebrated ties between Scotland and Hong Kong, and MUSEUMS AND IDENTITY. was part of a trade mission organised by It sought to observe how national Scottish Development International. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond museums construct history and sculpt As part of a Scottish company successfully addresses the delegation national identity through the shaping operating on in mainland China, David of buildings, exhibitions, education and Peter received a lot of interest promising connections were made programmes and other aspects of their from companies hoping to follow in through networking at the event, including practice. The 3-day event in November ClickNetherfi eld’s footsteps. Lots of potential suppliers and future projects. was followed by 2 design master classes – one in Taipei and the other in Hong Kong. The conference was the result of a long-standing collaboration A CULTURAL EXCHANGE between the University of Leicester, AS OUR OPERATIONS IN CHINA GO as the Riverside Museum of Transport Taipei University of Education, the V&A FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in London and the National WE ARE INCREASINGLY BEING Museum in Glasgow. Museum of History in Taipei. ASKED TO HELP DEVELOP At a seminar held in the Botanic Jim Stewart and Mike Chaplin attended RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE Gardens our Technical Director, Mike from our UK operation and David MUSEUMS WE WORK WITH IN Chaplin spoke about some of the Nicholson and Peter Taylorson from the THE UK AND THOSE IN CHINA latest trends in international museum Asian side of our company. Technical – THERE ARE MANY EXCITING showcase design. Philip Long, Director Mike Chaplin said “This was OPPORTUNITIES. Director of the new V&A Dundee was a fantastic opportunity to meet and The UK recently played host to a among the other speakers to address exchange ideas with like-minded top-level delegation of Chinese the delegation at the event. heritage professionals and to build museum directors. Organised by During their visit we hosted a dinner for relationships for the future.” British Council Scotland, the directors the directors whilst in Edinburgh and toured the newly restored National this hospitality was generously returned Museum of Scotland and the Royal when Mike visited China in February. Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, as well

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SAFE, SECURE AND ACCESSIBLE? ACCESSIBILITY ACCESSIBILITY IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR ANY MUSEUM IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEIR COLLECTIONS ARE OPEN TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. WE INVITED DESIGNER AND ACCESS CONSULTANT, CASSIE HERSCHEL-SHORLAND TO GIVE US HER THOUGHTS ON THE ISSUE.

Safe, secure and yet also accessible are possible’. To achieve tangible and effective gives context to the handling objects. demanding and seemingly contrary inclusive design this needs clear principles Inclusive design of display plinths and expectations for museums in their care of and criteria to set out what is expected of interactive screens provide clear space collections. A display case the design, also feasible objectives that underneath for easy reach. micro-environment will keep an object can be in the budget from the start. for perpetuity but to make it accessible In addition to subtitles on the video for some people involves getting In development of the Images of Nature interactive screens, visitors can select close-up and hands-on. gallery, the Natural History Museum an option for British Sign Language set out their aim in the project brief to delivered by a deaf art historian. Other Many museums run an inspiring range of address sensory access as well as physical on-screen options include text and access and community programmes to access. Specifi c features were to include image magnifi cation options. engage people with collections; but can induction loops on exhibits with audio, more be done through inclusive design Display panels follow clear print subtitling on all audio visual screens and for more independent access? principles. A quality easy-to-read gallery 2 or 3 touch specimens. The gallery was guide is available to include adults The process of access auditing, design also expected to be made accessible for with a broad range of learning levels in appraisal and inclusive design with direct blind and partially-sighted visitors. understanding the gallery themes and involvement of deaf and disabled people The outcome of this commitment is an content. There is much detail to consider can support a museum or design team in easy to navigate gallery with a choice when planning an inclusive display and as fi nding effective ways to make collections of ways for people to engage with the we come back to the opening question, accessible, without undue compromise exhibition about how the natural world there is much to do as we strive towards to care of collections. is represented visually by scientists independent access by design. A clear commitment to access and and illustrators. The gallery location, Cassie manages a consultancy inclusive design is important in a display arrangement and content are described service, Access and Museum Design, and interpretation strategy and also in an evocative audio description, advising on inclusive planning, design, project design briefs. Too often these downloadable from the Museum website; operation and management for access contain only a general intent to be a tactile gallery guide is also available to museums, galleries and heritage accessible to ‘as wide an audience as (with Braille text and raised images) which sites. www.cassiehs.com

Using the audio guide to understand the gallery, orientate and Using the Braille guide and plinth mounted handling objects discover content

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The Glassworks Grange Road Houstoun Industrial Estate Livingston Scotland UK EH54 5DE

Tel: +44 (0) 1506 835200 Fax: +44 (0) 1506 835201 showcases@clicknetherfi eld.com www.clicknetherfi eld.com Photography © zedphoto.com

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