There’s an impressive array of artwork inside the University of Central Florida (UCF) Art Gallery, in Orlando. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, and pieces of various sizes, from a few inches tall to several feet high, are all carefully stored in what is affectionately nicknamed "The Vault." This space, housing invaluable art, required an upgrade to meet the standards of top-tier artifact storage.
Shannon Lindsey, Director of the UCF Art Gallery, remembers the state of The Vault before its renovation.
“We had freestanding, permanent metal shelving, and we just didn’t have a lot of room or flexibility for changing the heights of shelves,” Lindsey explained. “We didn’t have a lot of shelving either. Because of that, we would store the artwork wherever we could, based on size. It was densely packed, and we were in a position where we really couldn’t acquire new artwork because we didn’t have additional space for storage.”
The need for a comprehensive storage solution was clear, and Patterson Pope stepped in to address these challenges.
Bonnie Nienhuis, a sales representative for Patterson Pope, eagerly approached the project and its challenges.
“For me, it all starts with asking the right questions and really seeing what they have,” said Nienhuis. “I take a complete inventory. I count how many pictures they have, how many sculptures, and how many items. Initially, I’m trying to get a feel for what they have in the collection. The comprehensive survey is critical. Then I ask them, ‘Is this your entire collection? Is any of this temporary? How often are you planning to access these pieces? Which ones specifically? How much would you like me to plan for growth?’ I include all of those realities in my numbers and my plan.”
The Vault, measuring approximately 29 feet by 21 feet with 18-foot ceilings, housed a diverse collection accumulated over decades from various sources. To efficiently maximize this space would require the right storage solutions in the expert hands of a creative and experienced professional.
"The university has been collecting since 1978," said Lindsey. "Over the years, there have been many changes in the collection, and of course, technology has progressed. Standards and best practices for maintaining a collection have changed as well. This opportunity really gave us the time to pull everything out, then re-catalog and archive everything."
Patterson Pope's project planner created detailed 3-D drawings, offering a holistic view of the space. These digital renderings facilitated the installation of RaptorRAC widespan shelving, mechanical-assist mobile shelves, and flat file cabinets on metal carts with casters for easy mobility. This planning ensured that every item fit seamlessly into the space, and the new shelving systems allow for easy reconfiguration and expansion as the collection grows.
Nienhuis highlighted the unique and innovative use of space in The Vault. “On this one, we made use of all the space we had. We even installed EZ Rail on the walls with hooks to hold their fantastic collection of African masks. It’s set up so that it’s flexible. The arrangement of the masks can change if need be.”
The compact shelving solutions accommodated a wide range of items, from small artifacts to large sculptures weighing hundreds of pounds. The mechanical shelves were designed for ease of use, regardless of the load.
Additionally, the team installed several Spacesaver mobile art storage racks to hold and display various paintings and illustrations. The thoughtful planning and precise execution transformed The Vault into an orderly, interactive space.
“We are an educational institution. What I’m really happy about is that now, it’s actually a functional, educational place,” added Lindsey. “I can now bring students and faculty into The Vault, and they can navigate the space. They are able to see everything; we have everything ordered. It’s ordered by year, whereas before, we could only order everything based on where it would fit. What an astounding transformation.”
Lindsey’s fresh perspective as a newcomer to UCF proved invaluable during the design process. “I know from experience that it can be a little hard to see the full picture when you’re so invested in a space,” she said. “So if there’s any way you can kind of take a step back, listen to other people’s perspectives, and see the entirety of a project before you get into it, it will really help you.”
Lindsey also emphasized the value of partnering with experts like Patterson Pope, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project. “I think it’s really valuable to bring somebody in like Patterson Pope – a company that thoroughly understands the functionality of storage. They can help you see things that you might not otherwise see. What’s more, they are willing to have a conversation with you to find out how you will use the space and what you want to do. They create solutions you wouldn’t necessarily think of on your own because you’re so overwhelmed.”
Patterson Pope’s expertise in artifact storage and collaborative approach ensured the success of The Vault’s transformation, turning it into a functional, flexible, and educational space.
For more information on this project and how Patterson Pope can help transform your artifact storage, contact a representative today.