Case Studies: Bespoke Glass Display Cabinets for Heritage, Education & Culture

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Classic Team Lotus: Preserving a Motorsport Mystery

Access Displays was honoured to support Classic Team Lotus with a truly unique and meaningful display project. Clive Chapman approached our team to design a bespoke glass display cabinet to house a sealed envelope left by his mother, Hazel Chapman, co-founder of Lotus.

The envelope bears the handwritten message, “Upon my demise… all is revealed.” Believed to contain the origin story behind the Lotus name, the envelope is to remain sealed until Hazel Chapman’s 100th birthday in 2027.

To protect this irreplaceable artefact, we designed a custom display cabinet featuring:

  • Toughened glass construction for long-term protection
  • A discreet, conservation-conscious lighting system engineered for a 27-year lifespan
  • Integrated storage for spare lighting components
  • Triple-lock security, symbolising the shared legacy of the Chapman family

Installed in the Classic Team Lotus showroom and surrounded by iconic Lotus cars, the cabinet invites visitors into a story of family, mystery, and motorsport heritage. It is a privilege to play a role in preserving this legacy for future generations.

The Richmond Upon Thames School: Bespoke Trophy Cabinet

For The Richmond Upon Thames School, Access Displays designed and manufactured a bespoke glass trophy cabinet to showcase student achievements and awards.

The cabinet was tailored to the school’s interior, combining durability with a refined appearance suitable for a high-traffic educational environment. Clear sightlines, secure glazing, and a clean architectural finish ensure trophies are presented with pride while remaining protected.

Radley College: Multi-Case Display Solution

Working alongside award-winning, RIBA-member CBS Architects of Oxford, Access Displays was appointed as the sole supplier of bespoke glass display cases as part of a £3.1 million development project at Radley College.

The brief required a coordinated suite of display solutions that aligned with the architectural vision of the redevelopment. Each cabinet was designed specifically for its location, ensuring consistency of materials, proportions, and finishes across the site while providing secure, museum-quality display environments.

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig: Displaying Gaelic Manuscripts

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, is based in Sleat on the Isle of Skye and is the only higher and further education institution in the world to deliver its programmes entirely through the medium of Gaelic.

Access Displays supplied a range of high-quality glass display cases designed to house ancient Gaelic manuscripts. These cases were specified to provide secure, stable environments suitable for fragile historical documents while allowing visitors and students to engage closely with the centre’s cultural heritage.

Bath Central Library: Cultural Display Solutions

At Bath Central Library, Access Displays delivered bespoke glass display cabinets to support the presentation of cultural and historical materials within a public library setting.

The cabinets were designed to balance accessibility, security, and visual clarity, ensuring valuable items could be safely displayed while remaining approachable for the public.

Conclusion

Across heritage, education, motorsport, and cultural environments, these projects demonstrate how bespoke glass display cabinets can be tailored to protect irreplaceable objects while enhancing storytelling and public engagement.

Whether preserving a historic secret, celebrating academic achievement, or safeguarding rare manuscripts, thoughtful display case design plays a vital role in how collections are experienced and remembered.

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Glass Display Cases and Cabinets Used for Touring Exhibitions

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Touring exhibitions present a unique set of challenges for display case design. Unlike permanent museum installations, touring shows demand cabinets that are robust, secure, visually engaging, and—crucially—quick to assemble, dismantle, and transport between venues.

In 2016, Access Displays was invited to support a major UK touring exhibition linked to the globally recognised American television sitcom Friends, which originally aired between 1994 and 2004. The exhibition, known as FriendFest, recreated iconic sets from the show and allowed fans to experience the atmosphere, humour, and cultural impact of the series through immersive environments and interactive features.

Exhibition Overview: FriendFest UK Tour

FriendFest was designed as a large-scale touring exhibition that travelled between multiple UK venues. Key locations were recreated, including Monica’s apartment and the Central Perk café, allowing visitors to step directly into the world of the show.

Alongside these set builds, a wide range of original props, costumes, and memorabilia were displayed. These artefacts required secure, high-quality glass display cases that could withstand repeated installation cycles while maintaining a consistent visual standard throughout the tour.

Design Requirements for Touring Display Cases

Access Displays was responsible for manufacturing a series of bespoke glass display cases and cabinets tailored specifically for the demands of a touring exhibition. The primary requirements included:

  • Fast and straightforward assembly by the exhibition production crew
  • Durable construction suitable for repeated transport and handling
  • Clear visibility for iconic props and costumes
  • Secure enclosures to protect valuable and irreplaceable items
  • Consistency of appearance across multiple venues

Each display case was manufactured using thick toughened glass to provide strength, safety, and clarity, ensuring that objects remained protected while still fully visible to visitors.

Iconic Props and Costumes on Display

The exhibition featured a wide range of instantly recognisable items from the series, displayed within the touring cabinets.

One notable example was material linked to the episode “The One with the Holiday Armadillo”. In this episode, Ross appears in an Armadillo costume after failing to secure a traditional Christmas outfit, creating one of the show’s most memorable visual moments.

Additional glass display cabinets were used to showcase famous costumes worn by key characters, including:

  • Rachel Green, portrayed by Jennifer Aniston
  • Monica Geller, portrayed by Courteney Cox
  • Phoebe Buffay, portrayed by Lisa Kudrow

These garments required cabinets that balanced secure support with clear sightlines, allowing visitors to appreciate the design and detail of each piece.

Other iconic props included “Pat the Dog”, the white ceramic dog statue famously featured in Joey and Chandler’s apartment. The statue was reportedly gifted to Jennifer Aniston on the first day of filming and later became a beloved recurring prop within the show.

Also on display was Phoebe’s guitar, an instantly recognisable object associated with her musical performances throughout the series. Its inclusion added a strong emotional connection for fans and required careful presentation within a secure glass enclosure.

Why Bespoke Glass Cabinets Matter for Touring Exhibitions

Touring exhibitions place far greater physical demands on display cases than permanent installations. Cabinets must perform consistently despite frequent dismantling, transport, and reinstallation.

By using toughened glass and designing cases specifically for modular assembly, the cabinets used for FriendFest ensured:

  • Reliable protection of high-value props and costumes
  • Efficient setup and breakdown at each venue
  • A uniform visitor experience across the entire tour

Conclusion

The FriendFest touring exhibition demonstrates how well-designed glass display cases play a vital role in bringing popular culture exhibitions to life. Through careful material selection, robust construction, and practical assembly design, touring cabinets can successfully protect valuable artefacts while supporting immersive, high-impact visitor experiences.

For touring exhibitions, flexibility, durability, and presentation quality are not optional extras—they are essential design requirements.

Case Study: Bespoke Glass Display Cabinet for 3D-Printed Hearts at Southampton Hospital

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Showcasing Groundbreaking Medical Innovation Through Bespoke Cabinet Design

Heartbeat Charity approached us to design and manufacture a bespoke glass display cabinet for their Education Centre at Southampton University Hospital. The charity funds the creation of highly detailed 3D-printed heart models for children with congenital heart disease. These anatomical models support complex surgical planning and play a vital role in medical training across the UK.

With more than 95 models produced to date, Heartbeat required a secure, modern, museum-quality display cabinet that could present these unique hearts clearly while educating clinicians, students, and visitors.

This case study demonstrates how specialist cabinet design, precision glass engineering, and close client collaboration transformed a challenging reception space into a high-impact educational feature.

Client Requirements

The brief called for a lightweight, double-sided glass display cabinet positioned between an existing structural pillar and a wall within the Education Centre’s reception area.

Key requirements included:

  • A minimal, modern glass design that would not visually dominate the space
  • Double-sided access and viewing, due to windows on both sides
  • A dark central backdrop to enhance visibility of translucent 3D-printed models
  • Lockable glass doors for security
  • Integrated LED lighting, hardwired into the onsite electrical supply
  • Eight to ten adjustable glass shelves for models measuring approximately 9–13 cm
  • Lockable base drawers for secure storage
  • Provision for individual information cards describing each heart model

The charity had previously explored a heavier timber-based cabinet, but the surgical team requested a solution that felt lighter, cleaner, and more clinically appropriate.

Our Design Solution

Our design approach focused on delivering a professional healthcare display solution that balanced aesthetics, functionality, and durability.

Light, Transparent Construction

To maintain visual lightness, we designed a slim, white-framed glass cabinet with maximum transparency. This approach complements the clean architectural language of the Education Centre while allowing natural light to pass through both sides of the display.

High-Contrast Viewing Panel

A continuous dark central divider panel was introduced to act as a backdrop, significantly improving contrast and legibility when viewing the translucent 3D-printed heart models. This creates a museum-standard environment for studying fine anatomical detail.

Optimised Lighting and Shelf Flexibility

Energy-efficient LED lighting was integrated into the cabinet structure to provide even illumination and highlight surface detail without glare. Adjustable glass shelving gives the Centre long-term flexibility as new heart models are produced and teaching needs evolve.

Security and Storage

To protect these valuable educational assets, the cabinet incorporates:

  • Lockable glass doors on both sides
  • Secure, built-in drawers within the base for storage and rotation of models
  • Concealed wiring for a clean, professional installation

Throughout the development process, we worked closely with Heartbeat Charity and consultant surgeon Mr Nicola Viola, refining proportions, lighting levels, and internal spacing to ensure the final design met both clinical and educational requirements.

Completed Installation

The completed cabinet now forms a central feature within the Heartbeat Education Centre. It provides:

  • A clear and striking display of 3D-printed paediatric heart models
  • An accessible teaching resource for clinicians, students, and visitors
  • A strong visual representation of the charity’s life-changing work
  • A secure, long-term solution for displaying a growing collection

Feedback from staff and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with frequent comments on the clarity, brightness, and professional quality of the display.

Impact on Training and Education

By creating a bespoke showcase for these anatomical models, the project has helped to:

  • Strengthen clinical teaching and pre-operative planning
  • Enhance visitor engagement within the Education Centre
  • Highlight Heartbeat Charity’s contribution to paediatric cardiac care
  • Preserve valuable 3D-printed models for future study and research

The cabinet now functions as both an educational tool and a powerful storytelling feature for the charity.

Conclusion

This project illustrates how thoughtful bespoke glass display cabinet design can transform a clinical reception space into a dynamic learning environment. Through close collaboration and attention to detail, we delivered a secure, elegant, and highly functional display solution that celebrates pioneering medical technology.

If you would like to discuss a custom display cabinet, museum-grade showcase, or healthcare storage solution, our team would be happy to help.