Ideum, an experiential designer of interactive exhibits, has crafted two enormous curiosity cabinets for the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, US.
The cabinets were commissioned to display “Curious Contraptions and Collectible Curiosities” as part of The New Mexico Showcase, which will officially open on 9 August.
A representative from the New Mexico History Museum says: “These everyday objects hold fragments of the past. While their exact history and purpose might remain elusive, each one offers a glimpse into the lives and adventures of New Mexicans.”
Unique, elegant design
The project was initiated at the start of the year. Ideum was appointed to build two artefact display cases that are larger than the firm has built before – with a quick turnaround. This offered an opportunity for the firm to expand its fabrication skillset.
Ideum developed and detailed two cabinets for manufacture, based on initial designs from the New Mexico History Museum and Chiodo Design. Each cabinet stands approximately 10 feet tall, 14 feet wide, and four feet deep. With 800 pounds of tactically hinged 10mm glass panels, each cabinet weighs approximately one ton.
The cabinets also feature a bespoke, seamless design which complements the architecture of the gallery. They contain and conceal a huge structural beam, and their hinged doors provide curators with easy access to the cabinets from the front. This ease of access allows the exhibits to be regularly changed.
Ideum sourced all materials for the project, including three inch square welded steel tube for the frame and a glazing assembly which was procured from Germany through the firm’s partner Case[werks]. To protect sensitive exhibits and artefacts, the cabinets’ inner components were built with materials and finishes that adhere to strict conservation standards. The cases are fitted with temperature monitoring technology and fans that generate a positive pressure environment to decrease dust.
Expanding skillsets
The cabinets were designed to be completely self-supporting, with an uninterrupted curtain of glass. They do not need bolts to secure the glass to the floor or wall, and there is no centre beam to hold the weight. Given their large size, the cases had to be manufactured in a modular configuration to enable transport and installation. Then, once on-site each cabinet was constructed from structural steel frames and the glass and panels were installed.
Ideum also helped the New Mexico History Museum prepare the space for the cabinets. The firm organised a team of contractors to remove the previous display, repair and paint the walls, upgrade the electrics, and install new window shades. In addition to building the cabinets, Ideum produced and fitted graphics to interpret and enhance the artefacts inside. The exhibits were handled and installed by Paul Singdahlsen, Ideum’s master mount-making contractor.
A representative from Ideum says: “One of our goals as a company is to constantly evolve and expand our skillsets. We are driven to accomplish a wide range of projects we get asked to do by our clients, even if it’s something we haven’t done before, like these large-scale exhibit cases.
“We are excited to add this project to our fabrication portfolio, joining other projects that we have fabricated such as these microscope stations for the San Diego Zoo, an interactive model of Ebbets Field for the Jackie Robinson Museum, and a one-of-a-kind 3D model for the Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibit in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science.”
Ideum recently shared details of its project at the Da Vinci Science Center in Pennsylvania, US, where it served as lead designer for the Curiosity Hall, an enormous immersive projection theatre.
Images: “New Mexico Showcase” installation, used with permission from the New Mexico History Museum/Department of Cultural Affairs.
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