National Portrait Gallery, 20th Century Gallery

Glass Display Boxes

Working with Compass Glass as the glazing sub-Contractor, the project entailed the construction of new glass boxes to allow the display of the ever-changing collection of 20th century portraits.

The boxes are made of 4 faces of laminated glass sheets, with glass fins to prop. The combination of headroom constraints coupled with the construction of the existing period building limited the options for fixing. We restrained the base of the boxes using spreaders connected to the existing filler joists in the floor, all concealed in the floor finishes.

Bespoke clear Perspex fixings were developed to allow for versatility in hanging arrangements, whilst not being obtrusive when not in use.