Giacometti: Encounters

Working in collaboration with DMA Architects, we delivered a series of bespoke display cases for the Giacometti Encounters programme, encompassing both the Huma Bhabha and Mona Hatoum exhibitions at the Barbican. Designed for a sensitive gallery environment, the cases were developed to meet conservation, security, and presentation requirements while maintaining a architectural presence.

The display cases were conceived as precisely engineered enclosures, with selected units incorporating full climate control and active humidity regulation via integrated Miniclima units. This ensured stable environmental conditions for the artworks where required. All internal materials were carefully specified and assessed for compatibility with the works, supporting conservation standards.

Each case was fabricated using 12mm Perspex throughout, in line with security requirements for particular works. The material provides clarity and robustness while maintaining a clean, minimal visual profile. Detailing was deliberately reduced so that fixings, junctions, and structural elements recede from view, allowing the focus to remain on the artworks.

Externally, material choices were informed by the raw, industrial character of the exhibitions. Key materials included patinated steel with a deliberately raw effect finish, alongside microcement surfaces, selected to align with the architectural language and atmosphere of the gallery spaces. These materials create a subdued, tactile backdrop that complements the curatorial intent without competing with the artworks.

Close coordination with DMA Architects ensured the cases integrated seamlessly within the gallery architecture, responding to the spatial and technical demands of the Encounters programme. The resulting display cases balance environmental performance, security, and material expression, contributing discreetly to the overall exhibition experience.

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Photography by Jo Underhill and Max Creasy