The story behind creating a compelling museum space is one of multiple teams, creativity and ingenuity. If you’ve ever stood in a museum and wondered how their displays and exhibitions come to life, we’ll delve into the detail of some of our projects in this blog and investigate how using the right expertise in the right areas can help sculpt a compelling narrative around an exhibition space.
In recent years, many of the museums Base Structures has worked with have evolved their exhibitions beyond traditional displays, with many embracing immersive, interactive environments that bring stories to life. We work at the forefront of the construction of these displays, providing partnership solutions for museums seeking innovative, visually striking and technically complex installations.
Enhancing visitor engagement through design
At the heart of the service Base Structures provide is engagement and immersion. The installations we work on do more than fill space; they create environments that engage visitors on multiple levels by integrating lighting, projection capabilities and interactive elements. Our work transforms museum exhibits into dynamic experiences that resonate with diverse audiences, and we do so in a way that’s sensitive to location, geography and sustainability. By designing durable solutions that are also modular and reusable, we can also help you to design components that can be reconfigured multiple times.
Bespoke engineering and seamless integration
We work hard to translate artistic visions into tangible structures, and we bring with us years of experience in high-quality tensile fabric for large scale creative projects. Working closely with architects and artists means that we’re well placed to design bespoke solutions to create complex geometries and organic forms that many other solutions can’t achieve.
We understand the unique challenges of museum environments and will prioritise minimal disruption during installation. Adept at working within existing spaces, as we do on all our projects, means that our team ensures that new structures complement the existing integrity and feel of the venue.
Below are some links and more information about a selection of our projects that showcase our ability to work in the museum space.
The Science Museum
A Fusion of Art and Engineering
In collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, we played a pivotal role in the creation of the Winton Gallery at London’s Science Museum, which tells powerful stories about the work of mathematicians across history. The centrepiece comprises three fabric pod sculptures inspired by the airflow vortices generated by a vintage Handley Page aircraft which is hung in the middle of the display. The organic forms are constructed using tubular frames suspended from the ceiling and enveloped in dual layers of semi-translucent PVC-coated polyester. Integrated LED lighting between the fabric layers enhances the ethereal quality of the installation. The complexity of the design required innovative solutions, such as hidden zips and tensioning systems, to achieve seamless integration.
The National Museum of Denmark
Evoking the Viking Spirit
For the “The Raid” exhibition at the National Museum of Denmark, we engineered nine fabric wave sculptures that embody the essence of the sea, central to Viking culture. Utilising lightweight aluminium frames and double-skinned stretched spandex fabric, the structures create a dynamic flow guiding visitors through the exhibit. A blackout layer between the fabric skins allows for immersive projections, enhancing the storytelling experience. The modular design ensures reusability for future exhibitions.
Khalifa House Museum
Merging Tradition with Innovation
In the heart of Khartoum, Base Structures contributed to the Khalifa House Museum by designing a woven shade canopy for community gatherings. The structure features rolled steel arches fabricated locally, with a tensioned grid of steel cables supporting woven polypropylene strips. This design pays homage to traditional Baggara nomadic tents, blending cultural heritage with modern engineering. The success of this project has led to the replication of the design at other museum sites in Sudan.
Our track record working with multiple museum partners across the world demonstrates an ability to deliver complex projects that align with curatorial goals to enhance visitor experience and immersion. We employ a collaborative approach, which alongside years of experience, technical proficiency and creative problem-solving make Base Structures an invaluable partner for museums seeking to push the boundaries of traditional exhibition design. For more information on how we can bring your museum’s vision to life, visit www.basestructures.com and get in touch with us today.
in Bristol