5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Traveling Exhibit Wall System
When planning a traveling exposition, one critical aspect that significantly impacts its budget and success is the choice of a freestanding wall solution. In the dynamic world of exhibit design, moveable wall systems have become THE modular solution, offering flexibility, durability, and aesthetic appeal. As exhibition designers, it’s essential to clearly define your needs to establish the criteria that will enable you to choose the best traveling exhibit wall solution.
In this article, I list some of these criteria, which I believe are important to consider when selecting an efficient and durable movable wall system for exhibits that may have to travel many kilometers in Canada and perhaps even around the world.
Understanding Your Needs
Every traveling exhibition is unique, with its own set of requirements and challenges. When choosing a moveable wall system for an exhibit, it’s important to consider various factors such as:
- The size and configuration of the exhibition spaces
- The types of artifacts and their value that will be displayed
- The frequency of travel
- The target audience
- The available installation crew at destination
- The access to the exhibit buildings/spaces
For instance, a photography exhibition might require different wall configurations than a sculpture display. Furthermore, the frequency of travel and the diversity of venues play a significant role in determining the most suitable wall system. A system that’s easy to transport, set up, and reconfigure offers a significant advantage. The key is to find a traveling exhibit wall solution that’s adaptable to various scenarios while maintaining the integrity and appeal of the exhibits.
Source: MBA Worldwide – GPM Documentary Hall
5 Key Features to Consider for Traveling Exhibit Walls
When it comes to selecting the right moveable wall system, there are several features you can consider. Below you’ll find the five most important ones, in addition, of course, to staying within budget.
1. Durability
To eliminate the negative impact of your traveling exhibition on the environment, the ideal wall system should be made from sturdy materials to withstand frequent transport and set-up. The sturdiness and flexibility of a wall system will ensure prolonged use of your exhibition walls.
How is the Mila-wall® wall system durable and sustainable?
Mila-wall® series 100/160, with its aluminum edge protection, is designed to withstand the rigors of travel. What’s more, the ability to repair and repaint surfaces ensures longevity and eliminates the need for frequent replacement.
2. Easy to Transport and Packing/Unpacking
A traveling exhibit wall solution must be easy to transport, deliver, store, pack and unpack. When selecting your wall system, opt for a lightweight and modular construction to help reduce transportation costs and effort. In addition, a system that comes with its own shipping solution, limiting unnecessary packing and unpacking, helps facilitate shipping while reducing environmental impact.
How does the Mila-wall® moveable wall system make transportation easier?
The Mila-wall® traveling exhibit wall solution offers specialized transport and storage containers equipped with wheels and forklift pockets. These well-designed containers make the logistics of moving exhibitions much more manageable while efficiently protecting walls from potential damage during shipment and storage.
3. Efficient Assembly/Disassembly
Time is often a critical factor in setting up exhibitions. A traveling exhibit wall system should be easy to assemble and dismantle with a limited number of people. Lightweight wall construction combined with a simple, efficient wall assembly system will save you time and labor costs.
How does Mila-wall® simplify set-up and dismantling?
Mila-wall® moveable walls feature a lightweight construction which consists of a cardboard honeycomb interior, chipboard cover sheets and aluminum edge protection. Its tongue and groove assembly system with integrated leveling feet makes setup and disassembly quick and efficient, a crucial feature for traveling exhibits.
4. Design Flexibility
The ability to reconfigure the wall layout to suit different spaces is important for traveling exhibitions. At some points, you may need to reduce the size of your exhibit or change the orientation of the walls. A modular system with different corner attachment options can be an excellent solution. Look also at the possibility of adding other elements such as lighting, finishes, alarms and interactive elements.
How can Mila-wall® answer your design challenges?
Mila-wall® series 100/160 offers unparalleled flexibility with options such as different wall sizes, stackable designs up to 20 feet, corner profiles at different angles, lighting hook-ups, alarm and interactivity capabilities. The availability of different surface coverings also allows for customization to fit the aesthetic of each exhibit and can be easily replaced if needed.
5. Sustainability
In today’s world, eco-friendly practices are not just a preference but a necessity. Opting for a moveable wall system that uses sustainable materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes reflects a commitment to ecological responsibility. What’s more, a robust, flexible and modular movable exhibition wall system is an excellent option for designers and architects looking to embrace good practices in sustainable exhibition as per the Canadian Museums Association Sustainable Development Guide.
How is the Mila-wall® moveable wall system a sustainable solution?
The Mila-wall® moveable wall system is a sustainable solution for many reasons. Its manufacture includes a honeycomb cardboard structure made from 100% recycled materials and adhesives containing no toxic solvents. Because they are reusable, repairable and can be repainted, Mila-wall® are more environmentally friendly than wood and gypsum construction. Finally, the lightweight construction of the 100/160 series combined with an advanced shipping solution means less costly shipping without excessive packaging.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right traveling exhibit wall solution is a decision that significantly influences the success of the exhibit at every level. The ideal system should offer durability, ease of transport, efficient assembly, design flexibility, and sustainability. For architects and designers specializing in exhibit design, understanding these features and how they align with specific exhibition needs is crucial.
As you embark on your next project, I invite you to consider exploring the range of portable walls available that meet these criteria. Their adaptability and functionality make them an excellent traveling exhibit solution, capable of transforming ordinary spaces into captivating exhibition venues.
Hunter Expositions offers exhibit designers the Mila-wall® moveable wall system, perfect for traveling exhibits. For more information about this product or any other product we carry that may suit your exhibit needs such as museum-quality display cases, feel free to reach out.
Main image source: MBA Worldwide – Museum of Archaeology in Herne