Furniture in a museum exhibit is often hidden in plain sight. The ubiquitous museum bench usually sits near the front entrance or along a corridor. It’s backless and thoughtfully misplaced—off to one side, or in the middle of an exhibit hall—to preserve the environment and not inhibit the flow of traffic.
Adaptable Utility
Museum furniture often goes unnoticed. For most patrons, they walk around it almost unthinkingly, as if it were in the background. Yet, its presence can also be very rewarding. There is something very powerful about its comfort for anyone weary after long periods of standing. What’s most interesting is that furniture offers a rare opportunity for patrons to encounter an exhibit or museum both visually and physically.
The options for seating in a museum should reflect the design of the building and adapt with special exhibits, because gallery space is not neutral ground. The space has been designed to align thematically without interrupting the patron’s experience. Furniture can also help people get oriented quickly when entering unfamiliar places.
Make It Accessible
One thing to remember about custom furniture is that it needs to be accessible. There are appropriate height and width requirements that accommodate people with mobility impairments. Color is also important, because it needs to be visually separated from the floor and wall to help people with visual impairments navigate the area.
These requirements don’t hinder the many possibilities of quality and design. There is an abundance of different materials to choose from, such as simple pine or sculpted aluminum. And, there are different styles, especially through custom designs.
Modular furniture has the advantage of functionality and adaptability. It can grow to offer more seating options or shrink to provide room for large floor exhibits. This type of furniture may free up warehouse space and save on costs. Something to remember about any museum furniture is to keep it simple – you don’t want it to end up competing with the art or seem as if it’s a piece of art – unless it actually is!
ADM Two can custom design museum exhibits and furniture. We are experts on design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display, no matter where your event takes place. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on museum displays.