//Securing the Silverware at the Town Hall
When Manchester City Council decided, that after almost 30 years, they needed to revamp their silverware display, they were faced with a bit of a dilemma! Shall we go for “high security cabinets? Or perhaps we should opt for “specialist, silverware showcases - reduce the risk of tarnishing! Bespoke units or just a standard product? The different options were too numerous to mention.
What Andy Haymes, Senior Buyer with MCC actually did, was, what most business professionals tend to do these days, “surf the net”. Looking primarily for local shop fitting companies – he found The Equity Group, based in Hyde, Cheshire.
From here it was relatively easy – Andy wanted a range of display cabinets that would show the silverware at it’s best. They had to be unobtrusive, perfectly lit whilst incorporating some form of humidity control. Contemporary in design, but in keeping with the aesthetics of the Town Hall, a building some 120 years old.
Peter Burke, from The Equity Group, recognised immediately that Manchester based, United Aluminium’s Unibox range of showcases was perfect for the job. Manufactured from a selection of aluminium profiles, the Unibox Modular System range of display cabinets were exactly what Andy Haymes was looking for. The systems flexibility offers a bespoke solution, whilst maintaining the impression of a standard product.
Nick Wraith, MD of United Aluminium, visited the town hall to receive the brief and was sure that Unibox could tick all the boxes. The brief was for a total of 8 showcases ranging in size from 2m long right up to 5m in length, a standard height of 1954mm was applied to all units. The size of some of the exhibits dictated that the cabinets were to be fitted with sliding doors to the front. One of the pieces in particular measures almost 5 metres and is in 3 separate sections, all doors were to be secured with a high profile security lock.
The framework was to be constructed with Unibox Modular System, all infill panels and plinths were to be designed using a compact grade laminate, which is inert and doesn’t hold moisture like wood based panels, which can increase rates of tarnish to silverware.
In addition to this the bottom of each unit houses sachets of “Art Sorb” – a specialist absorbent, moisture sensitive silica material, used extensively by the Museum Councils throughout the UK. Reducing the moisture content within the showcases, reduces the rate of tarnishing, which results in less frequent cleaning, thereby cutting costs and also preserving the silverware itself.
The silverware is perfectly lit by a number of low voltage, 50w, adjustable halogen down lights, which are discreetly housed in the ceiling of each unit. These lights can be angled to achieve the best coverage on individual objects on display.
From initial purchase order and brief through to complete installation was just a matter of a few months - United Aluminium were proud to deliver a complete solution in time for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II visit on Thursday April 5th 2007.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester was quoted:
“Our silverware is now displayed to its full potential thanks to United Aluminium,
whose quality and service was exceptional.”
Unibox Design Worx the blog
Our expert design team are constantly creating. Visit the Unibox Design Worx blog site and see what is new and innovative from Unibox.
Unibox Design Worx
Unibox RSS Feed
News archive
