Display Cases at The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Goppion

Project Overview
In 2021, The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art began an extensive $70 million renovation. The project aimed to elevate the visitor experience, enhance natural light through a custom sloped glass wall facing Central Park, and reorganize the collections of the Arts of Africa, the Ancient Americas, and Oceania with a more cohesive regional and historical narrative.

Originally opened in 1982 to house Nelson A. Rockefeller’s collection, the wing has evolved over decades to reflect both the expansion of its collections and advances in cultural scholarship. This latest renovation, designed by WHY Architecture, marks a new chapter—reframing the presentation of more than 1,800 works through innovative displays that emphasize the cultural significance of each region’s artistic traditions.

Goppion’s Contribution
Goppion has a longstanding partnership with The Met, having previously collaborated on the British Galleries renovation for the museum’s 150th anniversary and the Northern Renaissance Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gallery, which reopened in October 2023.

For the Rockefeller Wing renovation, Goppion was entrusted with the design and fabrication of 282 tailor-made display cases, as well as serving as the exhibition fabricator responsible for bases and plinths throughout the galleries.

Given the wide variety of materials and artistic forms represented in the collections, each display case was designed to meet precise conservation, aesthetic, and functional requirements. The collaboration with WHY Architecture ensured seamless integration between the display systems and the architectural design.

Technical Highlights
Display Cases:

• 282 custom-built units, including freestanding, wall-standing, and wall-hung models
• A 23-ft, 6-in case with dual hinged doors and a central sliding door
• An 18-ft-tall wall-standing case with glass top and two access doors
• Airtight construction, with the flexibility to allow airflow where required

Exhibition Fabrication:

• Approximately 40 stone platforms imported from Portugal, each with an internal metal structure and integrated systems for securing delicate or unstable artworks
• Coordination and shipping logistics between Italy, Portugal, and New York to ensure timely and secure delivery

Installation Challenges:
The two largest display cases required a dedicated delivery route through Central Park and portions of the museum open to the public—demanding precise coordination to ensure safety and avoid disruption.

Outcome
The reimagined Rockefeller Wing now provides:

• Improved visibility and legibility of the collections
• Enhanced environmental control for preservation
• Integration of digital and audio elements for a dynamic visitor experience
• A renewed celebration of the rich diversity of cultural traditions represented in the arts of Africa, the Ancient Americas, and Oceania