High-End Custom Manufacturing Company

A Seat at the Table

A Seat at the Table – Museum Exhibition

A Seat at the Table was a major museum exhibition exploring the complex experiences of Chinese Canadians in British Columbia. MJY Fabrication Inc. acted as a fabrication and installation partner, building physical exhibit components exactly as specified in the design package provided by the museum.

Our scope included custom slat walls partitions, display cases, a CNC cut pass-through feature, and a double-sided audio booth. Each element was constructed to meet museum standards and was installed carefully within the historic Hon Hsing Building.

The Challenge

Precision Fabrication for a Heritage Space.

The Museum of Vancouver required a fabrication partner capable of delivering precise, museum-quality exhibit components while working inside a heritage space. Their goals included:

Executing all pieces exactly according to the supplied design package
Creating durable exhibit structures suitable for a high-traffic cultural installation
Ensuring artifact safety and proper visitor flow
Integrating new components into the existing historic architecture

The primary challenge was to build and install all elements accurately while preserving the intended design and maintaining a clean, cohesive presentation within a heritage building.

Client:

Museum of Vancouver

Location:

Hon Hsing Building, 27 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC

Timeline:

March 20, 2020 - August 15, 2020

Cost:

$42,000

Scope:

Museum exhibition fabrication of built in and supportive elements for first iteration of the Chinese Canadian Museum

The Approach

Engineering Every Detail to Match the Vision

Our work focused on:

Producing all shop drawings required for accurate fabrication
Engineering each component according to the provided specifications
Using CNC cutting and precision machining to minimize waste and ensure consistency
Coordinating installation with museum staff and subcontractors responsible for partition integration
Maintaining strict alignment with the museum’s design intent at every stage

The Build

Crafted With Precision. Engineered for Exhibition

Custom Slat Partitions (Seven Units)

Constructed from 18 mm and 12 mm Baltic birch plywood, these partitions helped define circulation throughout the exhibition. CNC precision and biscuit joinery produced a strong and uniform result.

Ten Custom Display Cases

MJY fabricated ten Baltic birch cases with custom colored interior plinths, and clear acrylic tops.

Double-Sided Audio Booth

Built from Baltic birch with concealed structural elements, this booth was designed to accept acoustic foam and felt as specified by the museum. The booth was engineered for flat-pack transport and efficient assembly on site using French cleats and concealed hardware.

CNC Cut Pass-Through Feature

Fabricated from 18 mm Baltic birch, this lattice-style pass-through was created to the exact pattern provided by the museum.

Key Takeaways

MJY Fabrication specializes in museum-grade fabrication and installation with a focus on precision, consistency, and long-term durability
The project demonstrated the ability to execute complex builds in historic spaces while respecting architectural limitations
Our CNC capability, engineering discipline, and attention to detail ensured smooth installation and a cohesive final presentation

A Seat at the Table