Located in the heart of Dublin, the Royal Irish Academy Library sits within a Georgian building on a busy city street, with tram lines running directly past its front door. While the setting is beautiful, it presented a significant logistical challenge when it came to delivering four large, bespoke display cases.
Each case weighed over 100 kg and access to the building was limited. The only viable parking for our truck was at a nearby bus stop, meaning the cases had to be carefully manoeuvred across live tram lines before being guided up the steps and into the historic building. Every stage of the process required advance planning, specialist equipment, and close coordination to ensure the safety of the building, the cases, and everyone involved.
Thanks to detailed preparation and on-site problem-solving, all three cases were successfully transported into the library and positioned in their final locations without issue.
The cases were commissioned to house books that are particularly sensitive to light exposure. While exhibition display is an important part of access and engagement, long-term preservation of these materials was paramount.
To minimise light exposure while still allowing visitors to view the items, we designed and hand-finished bespoke black-out covers for each case. These were custom stitched to fit snugly and securely over the glass canopies, completely shielding the contents from ambient light when not in use.
This approach allows the books to remain protected for the majority of the time, while still being accessible during viewing.
An unexpected but welcome result of the black-out covers is the way they shape the visitor experience. To view the books, visitors must intentionally lift the cover, creating a private and focused moment of engagement with the objects on display. Rather than a passive glance, the act of viewing becomes deliberate and personal, lending a sense of intimacy and respect to the experience.
This project presented challenges on multiple fronts — from the physical realities of delivering heavy cases into a historic city-centre building, to the conservation requirements of displaying highly light-sensitive material. We were delighted to find solutions that addressed both, and we are very pleased with the final result.
Working with the Royal Irish Academy Library on this installation was a rewarding experience, and we are proud to have contributed to the careful presentation and protection of such an important collection.
