Before the emergence of AI, the Internet and TV, books and manuscripts were the main vehicles of knowledge. These artefacts, which now echo voices from the past, played a fundamental role in shaping our shared legacy. A crucial moment in this evolution occurred in the 15th century with the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg, which revolutionized access to information and laid the foundations for the democratization of knowledge. As a result of their historical and cultural significance, many early manuscripts and incunabula (books printed during the early period of printing) were preserved in libraries and often remained in the shadows.
Across the world, libraries have begun to reveal these collections to the public, driven by a growing openness to displaying their “treasures”. This allows a wider audience to appreciate the richness of these historical materials. While this effort promotes a deeper understanding of cultural heritage, it also introduces several challenges. One of the most critical is preservation, which must be carefully balanced with functional considerations. Key decisions include selecting and designing window solutions, like those from Goppion, that harmonize with the interior design and layout while providing effective protection.
In recent projects that incorporate showcases to display and protect historical artifacts, libraries have stood out for their restrained aesthetics, contrasting with the transparency of the showcases. This juxtaposition allows the exhibits to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, not as isolated elements, but as part of a unified narrative that highlights the historical significance of the space. The books, documents and objects on display become thought-provoking pieces, uniting the past with the present.
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France is one of the most comprehensive institutions in the library world and serves as one of the most complete examples in this sense. In 2022, the BnF Museum —often considered the heart of the library— underwent a significant renovation that marked the beginning of a new era focused on expanding and improving access to its extensive collections.
900 pieces are on display in this 1,200 m² gallery space, including the original manuscript of Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo, the original handwritten score of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and prints by Rembrandt and Picasso. A collection of this magnitude required a significant contribution from Goppion, who incorporated more than 100 display cases and other furniture elements into the design. For example, 37 vertical displays and 17 island displays of various shapes and sizes have been specifically designed to meet the challenges of displaying fragile materials.
Another notable example is the Library of Congress in the USA, where a new exhibition hall was recently opened. Objects on display include a diverse selection of items that highlight the vast and global significance of the Library’s collections, ancient and modern. Among them are cuneiform tablets dating from 2200 to 1900 BC and ‘The Sounds of the Earth’, the gold record created for the Voyager I and II space missions. This illustrates the variety and adaptability of display cases designed to protect historical artifacts, regardless of their age or the technology used in their manufacture.
For this exhibition, an independent structure was designed with four large showcases, each 1 meter wide, 4 meters high and 7 meters long, covering an area of 24 x 5 meters. Specific challenges arose from the historic marble flooring and plaster walls, preventing any permanent connection to the building’s architecture. The structure had to be completely self-supporting and light so as not to exceed the load capacity of the floor. The internal layout also needed flexibility for regular document rotations, leading to a translucent design that maximized visibility within the long, narrow gallery space.
In an alternative scenario with a targeted approach, Trinity College’s library houses the Book of Kells, one of the most significant medieval treasures in the world. Famous for the quality and abundance of its illustrations, this remarkable manuscript dates back to 800 AD. Its preservation required advanced technical solutions due to its immense value.
The showcase designed for the book incorporates technology such as LED lighting and fire control. The structure is a free-standing square prism (measuring 1.4 meters wide and 2.0 meters high) made from certified VOC-free materials. Inside, it has systems that provide an air renewal rate of more than ten days, including an air filter, passive humidity control and fire and heat protection systems. Furthermore, a curtain descends from the ceiling if the fire alarm is triggered, isolating the cabinet from the external environment.
These protective measures are enhanced by a data logger that continuously monitors temperature, humidity and ultraviolet light. Special adjustable supports allow the book to be opened without damaging the spine or other components, while the panes are securely glued to the metal frame, providing greater protection against tampering. All of these features are integrated into a discreet yet highly engineered glass case designed with the features necessary to protect collections not only from this library, but also from major museums around the world.
The list of institutions that exemplify the crucial role of display cases in the conservation and presentation of cultural heritage is endless, including the Braidense Library, the Grolier Club, the New York Public Library, and the Bodleian Libraries. In each of these environments, display cases protect artifacts for long-term preservation and foster a meaningful connection between viewers and the knowledge these objects convey. As such, they are essential not only as architectural elements, but also as historic preservation tools.
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