Get the expert insight into designing safe, efficient, and engaging collection storage spaces. 

AIA Presentation - Best Practices for Collections Storage and Facility Planning 

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Browse some of our museum installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Museum Spacesaver Case Studies

Museum

Spacesaver helps preserve historic military artifacts

Let our team of athletic storage experts show you how to identify challenges within your space and demonstrate storage solutions you can utilize to create and maintain a winning environment.

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Browse some of our athletic installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Athletics Spacesaver Case Studies

Athletics

We can help you understand indoor growers’ biggest challenges and how our GROW Mobile systems help overcome them.

Product Presentation - Complete GROW System Walkthrough

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Browse some of our agriculture installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Agriculture Spacesaver Case Studies

Agriculture

Lean how to design for space conraints in various workplaces from the office, to educational institutions, to museums and beyond. 

AIA Presentation - Design for Various Workplaces

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Browse some of our business installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Business Spacesaver Case Studies

Business

“Integrating Storage Across Campus” leads with trends and walks through various areas of campus where storage can impact learning, efficiency, and recruitment. Sign up for a virtual presentation with Spacesaver.

AIA Presentation - Higher Education Storage Across Campus

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Browse some of our education installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Education Spacesaver Case Studies

Education

Learn how to improve patient care, control costs and save space within the healthcare environment. This presentation can count toward 1 AIA/IDEC/HSW LU credit.

AIA Presentation: Designing Healthcare Facilities

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Browse some of our healthcare installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Healthcare Spacesaver Case Studies

Healthcare

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Browse some of our manufacturing installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Manufacturing Spacesaver Case Studies

Manufacturing

How storage solutions can support modernization capabilities and enhance readiness of the military by branch. Can count towards 1 AIA/IDEC/HSW LU credit.

AIA Presentation - Modernizing Capabilities and Enhancing Readiness for the Military

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Browse some of our military installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Military Spacesaver Case Studies

Military

Examine current trends & challenges within the public safety environment and explore real-world examples of facilities that have incorporated solutions designed to create workflows, improve processes, boost productivity, and increase officer morale.

AIA Presentation: Growth, Change and the Future of Public Safety Design

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Browse some of our public safety installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Public Safety Spacesaver Case Studies

Public Safety

Get expert insight into transforming libraries to meet user's changing needs that can count towards 1 AIA LU/HSW accredited.

AIA Presentation - Transforming Libraries to Meet Changing Needs

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Browse some of our library installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Library Spacesaver Case Studies

Library

See how our systems were the perfect solution for displaying the National Museum for Women in the Art's collections. 

Better Representation Through Better Storage

National Museum of Women in the Arts

<h2>Displaying The Female Formations</h2>
<p>Art can take on many forms, as do the artists who create them. The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. Located in Washinton, D.C., The NMWA offers a rotating showcase of historic and contemporary artwork including more than 5,500 works from the 16th century to today.</p>
<p>Wanting to continue to shine a light on the creation of women in the arts, the NMWA looked to find a partner that could optimize the historic building's existing footprint and structural grid and maximize its reach. Recommended by a local architect familiar with the work we have done in library and archives storage, our local representative set up a meeting with the NMWA team to learn more about their needs and establish a foundation for our collaborative work.</p>

<p>Delivering easier operation, enhanced security, and increased storage, Spacesaver's art racks provide compact storage solutions for your hanging art collections. Explore and compare our art rack solutions to find the perfect fit for your collection.</p>

Fit To Be Securely Hung

<h2>A Deeper Impression Of Collections</h2>
<p>To start, our local representative worked with the National Museum of Women in the Art's architect and a third-party consultant to establish a master inventory list of their collections. This helped them to not only identify the best storage solutions for preserving these invaluable items, but also to establish an ideal mix of systems to fit the museum's functionality and guide the final layout. Once all parties agreed upon a comprehensive solution and construction plans were approved, the solutions were shipped, and the unified team got to work.</p>

<h2>Creating Beauty Inside and Out</h2>
<p>Paired with a renovation of the building's exterior, the museum's refreshed interior is designed to support generations of artists and enthusiasts to come. Comprised of a mix of Spacesaver Art Racks, stationary shelving, museum cabinets, specialty art tills, and more, the library is a testament to creative partnership between the National Museum of Women in the Art's curators and Spacesaver's in-house teams and nationwide partners.</p>
<p>Throughout the project, Spacesaver's local rep presented several solution options and budget numbers to ensure the National Museum of Women in the Arts was able to optimize both its space and its funding. This comprehensive support allowed us to offer the best mix of products to fully support the NMWA's unique collections and support its esteemed mission.</p>


Spacesaver mechanical assist shelving hold boxes containing works of art

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Preserving the United States Military's past, present, and future with forward-facing storage solutions.

Securing Historic Military Artifacts for Grateful Generations

Pritzker Military Archives Center

<h2>Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Soldiers</h2>

<p>Approaching its 250th year of existence, the US Military has been preserving freedom through times of peace and war. Evidence of these heroic efforts can be found in many forms, including letters, books, weapons, posters, and more – each playing a pivotal role in telling the story of those who made a present sacrifice for the future good. These efforts shaped the history of the United States and should be displayed, remembered, and honored by all who benefit from them.</p>

<p>The mission of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) and Pritzker Military Archives Center (PMAC) is to increase the public's understanding of military history, military affairs, and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military – past, present, and future – with specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. This requires not only a dedicated staff of archivists and preservation professionals, but also state-of-the-art storage systems – like those Spacesaver designs, manufactures, and delivers – to properly preserve and protect these invaluable resources for generations to come.</p>

No matter what the shape, size, or condition, Spacesaver has a storage system to properly preserve your historic artifacts.

Spacesaver's Museum Storage Solutions

<h3>Establishing A More Effective Home Base</h3>

<p>As the Pritzker Military Museum & Library's collections continued to expand, its established systems were no longer the best option for facilitating future growth. Located in downtown Chicago, the building was running out of space without the option to expand its footprint. Administrators realized they had no choice but to seek out an alternative location to accommodate current collections, allow for integration with its archives center, and facilitate long-term growth.</p>

<p>Prior to making the decision to move, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library utilized predominantly static shelving solutions, which were reaching capacity. In an attempt to support a growing collection of approximately 40,000 artifacts – including letters, military documents, prints, posters, original artwork, glass plate negatives, photographs, weapons, and maps – and more than 65,000 volumes of books, administrators made the choice to convert to high-density storage at their new location.</p>

<p>Knowing they would need a strategic advisor that is well-versed in high-density storage, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library began the search for a strategic partner to bring their historic artifacts into the modern age of museum preservation through the creation of a facility that would perfectly reflect the stories of the past while making room for the future pieces of history.</p>

<h2>Designing The Pritzker Military Archives Center</h2>

<p>After thoroughly vetting potential partners to bring their vision to life, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library chose internationally-renown architecture firm JAHN for the project's design work. Knowing the value that PMML has brought to the military archives community and to those who are represented through the organization's artifacts, JAHN started work to deliver a facility that would honor their legacy. The initial design included multiple buildings – with the museum and workshops in one building, and archival storage in another – however, in order to promote accessibility and longevity, all aspects were brought under one roof in the newly-created Pritzker Military Archives Center (PMAC). 


Associate Principal at JAHN Architects

<h3>Preparing Resources for Deployment</h3>

<p>With strategy for developing and outfitting their future home in place, staff at PMAC needed to prepare their archival items for the trip north. This process which took a year and a half to accomplish, essential for ensuring these invaluable artifacts are protected from <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/blog/museum-collection-care-best-practices" aria-label="read our blog about the agents of deterioration.">agents of deterioration</a> including dust, pests, water, and more, required staff to examine and replace the majority of the bankers' boxes used to house the materials. Upon arrival at the newly created facility in Kenosha, staff worked for six to eight months to properly categorize and distribute the materials into their new homes on the Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems.</p>

<h3>Powering A Base(ment) Of Support</h3>

<p>With approximately 9,400 square feet of exhibition space on the main floor of the facility, there's plenty of room to show off the Pritzker Military Archives Center's collections that are currently on display. The real showcase can be found in the form of <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/products/high-density-mobile-systems/standard-mobile-system" aria-label="learn more about Spacesaver's Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving">Spacesaver's Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems</a> located in the lower-level space, which hold the remaining pieces. All items for display and research are kept on-site within these systems – except for those that are loaned out to researchers and digital share partners. At the Chicago location, patrons were able to pull circulating library pieces directly. However, to further protect the safety of archival materials, now only approved staff will source and bring items to selected viewing/research spaces throughout the main level of the facility.</p>

<p>The most impactful way the Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems have helped Pritzker Military Archives Center staff work more efficiently within the space is by creating a more efficient footprint overall. By utilizing these versatile systems, they can take what would have been approximately 20,000 square feet of storage space and double it by removing wasted aisles. Let's take a closer look at what's in storage at the facility.</p>

<h4>First Unit: Book Storage</h4>

<p>No matter which side of the battle lines someone was on, their personal writings on the matter can be insightful for those who want to gain a better understanding of a conflict. As such, the staff at the Pritzker Military Archives Center has accumulated thousands of volumes of books centered around the military experience, ranging in sizes and conditions and each requiring their own specific level of security and care.</p>




<p>To best accommodate the vast literary collection and the dedicated individuals tasked with their care, our local Spacesaver representative provided high-quality steel Cantilever shelving units mounted on Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems. The systems, compromising 45 carriages of approximately 30' in length each, are designed to move independently or as a group to create 91 separate aisles that can be opened with the push of a button.</p>

<p>Each aisle is equipped with both aisle entry and Photo Sweep® sensors. For the aisles that contain highly valuable or fragile items, TUSC Technology Controls have been added to increase security by requiring users to enter a specific passcode to gain access.</p>

<p><strong>FUN FACT: The Pritzker Military Archives Center's favorite feature of the Powered HDMS systems are the automated controls. With these in place, they can provide safety, security, and efficiency for their staff, visitors, and the artifacts themselves. Having collections ranging widely in age and value, being able to set a passcode for access to certain aisles allows them to control who has access to the collections within, while the safety sensors add an additional level of safety and security to the day-to-day operations that occur in the space.</strong></p>

<h4>Second Unit: Artifacts Storage</h4>

<p>The military artifacts that the Pritzker Military Archives Center receives come from a diverse set of sources and present in all shapes and sizes. Because of this, their storage solutions must have the ability to be both strong enough to support these items and flexible enough to adjust to their varying heights and widths. Taking this into account, our local rep outfitted the artifacts storage section of the archives with sturdy-but-adaptable 4-Post Shelving untis mounted on our Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems.</p>

<p>For foot lockers to file folders, these versatile solutions can be manipulated to offer the most efficient and effective method of storage for over 500 archival collections. The storage area incorporates 18 carriages that combine to create 37 aisles of storage. Like their literary neighbors across the way, each aisle is equipped with aisle entry and Photo Sweep® sensors to help keep both personnel and possessions secure.</p>

<p><strong>"The flexibility of our Spacesaver systems has made it very easy for us to store a wide range of materials in our collection. Being able to customize our storage workflow by mapping out the different areas within the modules ahead of time has allowed us to integrate things like hanging storage for framed materials, which is a significant upgrade over our previous system."</strong></p>
<p>-Dustin DePue, Director of Museum Collections at Pritzker Military Museum & Library</p>

<h4>Third Unit: Hanging Storage</h4>

<p>If a picture is worth a thousand words, the Pritzker Military Archives Center had a lot to say when they transferred over their hanging art collection from the Chicago location. A common theme among storage sectors for the organization, their capacity was nearly a fifth of their supply at the time they moved – and that supply is continually growing. Taking this into consideration, Spacesaver's rep opted for a combination of static and mobile storage to maximize the allotted footprint within the facility.</p>

<p>The storage package included four Wall-Mounted Art Racks and 22 Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems with Carriage Mounted Art Racks that added another 43 aisles and 172 screens. In addition, the hooks our team provided for the Museum's hanging art are thicker and sturdier than previous options staff employed, providing less swing and making them less prone to damaging the artwork. Each of these mobile systems also include our aisle entry and Photo Sweep® sensors. Together, these versatile, high-capacity solutions allow the Pritzker Military Archives Center to securely store the 1,000-plus pieces they transferred over – including World War propaganda, war photos, and original art and photography – as well as leave room for future artwork. </p>

Delivering easier operation, enhanced security, and increased storage, Spacesaver's art racks provide compact storage solutions for your hanging art collections. Explore and compare our art rack solutions to find the perfect fit for your collection. 

<h4>Fourth Unit: Weapons Storage</h4>

<p>Advancement towards promoting readiness is a key focus of the military and has been since its inception. This principle applies to many items, not the least of which, is the weaponry soldiers have utilized to defend our country. In addition to books, artifacts, and artwork, the Pritzker Military Archives Center has also received many different iterations of arms and supporting equipment.</p>

<p>Ranging in size and condition, these items require a specific storage setup to ensure they are properly handled and preserved and securely stored. To allow for this level of precision and care, our local representative outfitted the Weapons Storage Room with 4-Post Shelving that incorporate double doors and two levels of Weapons Rack III storage systems, as well as a 114" L x 36 3/8" H customized worktable with six lockable casters – allowing support in the efficient handling and processing of artifacts.</p>

<h4>Reserve Unit: Room For Growth</h4>

<p>From the beginning of the project, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library's goal was to get 25-30 years of growth from the storage systems they would employ at their new facility. While the initial impact of the already installed solutions will support the organization for many years to come, collections growth trends indicate that they will not be enough to reach this goal. With that and understanding the intricacies and pitfalls of installing rail systems to support mobile storage after a foundation has been set, our local rep presented the option of installation supplementary recessed rail during the facility's construction.</p>

<p>With this information, the Pritzker Military Archives Center decided to have recessed rails installed to fill the open spaces adjacent to both its artifacts and library storage mobile systems. By installing additional rails during the initial construction phase, future carriage installations can be completed in less time, will require no adjustment to the building's foundation, and will help to reduce the risk of damage to stored collections from construction vibrations or materials.</p>

<h4>Technological Unit: Future Focused</h4>

<p>To extend their reach beyond the bounds of their new facility, the Pritzker Military Archives Center is working to digitize their collections for better accessibility. Driven by the restrictions the COVID-19 pandemic put on visitors to the museum, not only will these efforts help to instantaneously share these relics with interested parties across the world, but they will also keep them preserved indefinitely.</p>

<p>The Prtizker Military Archives Center's Digital Lab contains a scanner that can accommodate 4'x 6' flat pieces, that is sensitive enough to capture the topographic layout of each piece. The scanner also uses no to low UV light to protect materials from their potential damaging effects. With the scanner, the lab also contains a 3D, 360-degree light box for imaging artifacts, models, and other 3D objects. To support the functionality of both valuable pieces of equipment, our local rep provided a 114" L x 36 3/8" H movable worktable featuring six lockable casters – similar to the one in the Weapons Storage space.</p>

<h4>Sustainable Operations For Lasting Value</h4>

<p>In addition to incorporating these valuable systems within the facility, the Pritzker Military Archives Center is integrating several sustainable operations. The building's structure is compromised of recycled steel and utilizes UV-coated glass panels to limit the effect the sunlight has on the internal temperature of the main floor space. Furthermore, the building is surrounded by a mixture of trees and tall grasses, helping in the temperature control. Lastly, a portion of the facilities electrical systems are supported by a solar panel field located in the southeastern corner of the property.</p>


<h2>Maintaining Pritzker's Rate of Growth</h2>

<p>Already experiencing a growing interest from visitors, researchers, and donors alike, the Pritzker Military Archives Center sees their Spacesaver systems as solutions for the long-term, ones that can provide them a modular space to offer lasting preservation and safety for their collections. By utilizing Spacesaver's Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems, the center can maximize their storage capacity and maintain their growth rate without worry – allowing them to continue to receive priceless artifacts from donors and further their mission.</p>

<p>According to Dustin DePue, the installation is already drawing the attention of other institutions and has driven several archival entities to come and see it for themselves. With the system in place – which includes installed recessed rails for future systems – he is confident the Pritzker Military Archives Center can operate to the highest standards and will continue to do so for years to come.</p>

Front view of the Pritzker Military Archives Center building with flags in the fore front

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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. 

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

<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.

Walworth County Historical 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>

Pritzker Military Archives Center

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Pritzker Military Archives Center

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