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MUSEUM

Custom Museum Storage for Fossil Collection Preservation

A natural history museum in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, engaged Hi-Cube Storage Products to design and deliver a purpose-built fossil repository as part of a new museum expansion. The project required highly specialized storage systems to support a diverse collection of sensitive and oversized specimens, while also meeting strict environmental and preservation requirements.

Challenges Faced

The museum needed a storage system that could address several complex requirements:

  • Maximizing storage capacity while maintaining safe access to collections
  • Preserving highly sensitive specimens, including materials requiring controlled environmental conditions
  • Accommodating chemical storage needs, specifically specimens preserved in formaldehyde
  • Supporting oversized artifacts, which required a flexible solution beyond standard cabinet storage
  • Integrating infrastructure constraints, including building systems and structural floor design

Solutions

Hi-Cube designed a fully integrated storage system combining multiple specialized solutions:

Herbarium, entomology, and preservation cabinets from Spacesaver were installed on mobile carriages. This significantly increased storage density while maintaining accessibility.

  • Rails were inlaid directly into the slab, creating a flush, finished floor surface that supports safe movement and seamless integration into the facility design.
  • Static 920 cabinets were engineered to connect directly to the building’s HVAC system, enabling controlled air circulation for specimens preserved in formaldehyde and ensuring compliance with safety and preservation standards.
  • Widespan racking with perforated decking, supplied by North American Storage Equipment, was installed to accommodate large fossilized specimens, providing both structural strength and airflow where required.

All solutions were designed and delivered by Hi-Cube Storage Products in collaboration with museum stakeholders and building design teams.

Results

The completed fossil repository delivers a highly efficient, future-ready storage environment, significantly increasing storage capacity while improving stability for sensitive and chemically preserved specimens. The Lower Mainland museum now benefits from a scalable, well-organized system that supports both current collections and future acquisitions, while ensuring long-term preservation standards are maintained.

 With extensive experience in museum, archival, and scientific storage environments, Hi-Cube designs solutions that protect, preserve, and optimize access to critical collections across BC and the Yukon.

Ready to plan a custom museum or archival storage solution? Contact our team today to discuss your project.

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