Preserving Design Excellence: Goppion Display Cases at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

A Fusion of Heritage and Innovation

Nestled on New York’s Fifth Avenue, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum stands as a testament to design excellence. Uniquely dedicated to the realm of design, this museum finds its home in a historic Georgian-style mansion from 1902, once owned by the esteemed industrial magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The meticulous transformation of this mansion into a cutting-edge museum space was undertaken with a keen eye on preserving its original architectural splendor. Goppion, a leading expert in display solutions, contributes significantly to the museum’s presentation with its sophisticated display cases seamlessly integrated throughout various rooms.

Museum Overview

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum holds the distinction of being the sole museum in the United States exclusively devoted to design. Embracing a range of design objects and housed within the opulent Carnegie mansion, the museum’s distinctive charm lies in its ability to harmonize period interiors with contemporary galleries.

Exhibition Design Philosophy

At the core of the museum’s allure is its commitment to showcasing design brilliance. The Goppion display cases play a pivotal role in this endeavor, being meticulously designed to accommodate diverse design objects – from delicate fabrics to exquisite silver pieces. The challenge lay in creating a flexible and modular solution capable of adapting to the evolving exhibitions while seamlessly blending into the museum’s unique architectural tapestry.

Goppion’s Custom Display Systems

Goppion responded to the museum’s needs with custom display systems, strategically crafted for longevity and adaptability. These systems, ranging from wall-mounted to table and freestanding models, offer versatile configurations. The use of airtight glass panels becomes paramount in ensuring the conservation standards essential for preserving delicate artifacts over extended exhibition periods.

Engineering Elegance

In addressing the architectural nuances of the historic mansion, Goppion employed a thoughtful approach to engineering. Smaller cases boast an Inox steel framework, while larger counterparts feature lightweight aluminum frameworks. This strategic selection ensures compliance with the load-bearing limits of the historic building’s floors. Importantly, Goppion’s design ethos emphasizes transparency, with minimalistic metallic elements and concealed engineering components. This intentional subtlety ensures that the architectural context takes precedence, allowing the displayed design pieces to shine in diverse stylistic presentations.

Striking a Balance

The success of Goppion’s display cases lies in striking a delicate balance between showcasing design brilliance and respecting the historical integrity of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. By seamlessly blending innovation with heritage, Goppion contributes significantly to the museum’s mission of celebrating and preserving the rich tapestry of design evolution.

In conclusion, Goppion’s collaboration with the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum exemplifies a harmonious fusion of technology, design, and heritage, setting a benchmark for the presentation of design excellence in a museum setting.