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Royal Columbian Hospital Heritage Display Wall Upgrade

Royal Columbian Hospital Heritage Display Wall Upgrade

Royal Columbian Hospital Heritage Display Wall Upgrade

MJY Fabrication was engaged to upgrade an existing heritage display installation at Royal Columbian Hospital by fabricating and installing custom doors and face frames for a large exhibit wall.

Working alongside Ballard Fine Art, our team transformed the open display structure into a secure, museum-quality exhibit system designed to protect and showcase historical artifacts connected to the hospital’s legacy.

In addition to the case upgrades, we fabricated a custom solid cherry wood plaque to support the hospital’s coat of arms and contributed to the specialized hardware used to mount and display artifacts throughout the installation.

The Challenge

Adapting New Craft to an Inconsistent Structure.

Unlike a new build, this project required adapting new fabrication to an existing display case with numerous structural inconsistencies.

The original installation had variances in alignment, spacing, and framing dimensions across the display grid. Standardized components would not fit correctly, meaning each new element needed to be carefully fabricated to suit the conditions of the existing structure.

Key challenges included:

  • Accommodating dimensional inconsistencies across the display wall
  • Maintaining clean alignment and visual consistency between openings
  • Integrating new doors without modifying the existing case structure
  •  Designing discreet artifact hanging hardware
  • Supporting the installation of the hospital’s coat of arms

The project required a fabrication approach that balanced precision with flexibility.

Client:

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation

Location:

New Westminster, BC

Timeline:

Sept 2025-February 2026

Cost:

$53,200

Scope:

Fabrication and installation of custom doors and face frames to upgrade an existing heritage display wall.

The Approach

Precision Fit, One Opening at a Time

MJY Fabrication documented the existing display structure and fabricated custom components tailored to each opening.

Rather than forcing standardized parts into an inconsistent framework, each door and face frame was individually fitted to ensure proper operation and a cohesive visual grid.

Key fabrication elements included:

Custom Doors and Face Frames

A full set of custom doors and face frames were fabricated and installed to convert the open display case into a secure exhibit system. Each door was individually fitted to account for dimensional variances while maintaining consistent spacing and alignment across the display.

Solid Cherry Backer Plaque

A custom solid cherry wood plaque was fabricated to support the hospital’s coat of arms within the central display. The warm wood finish complements the historical artifacts while providing durable structural support.

Custom Artifact Hardware

We contributed to the fabrication of specialized hanging hardware used to mount artifacts within the illuminated cases. These components were designed to securely support the pieces while remaining visually discreet.

The Build

Transforming Structure Into Exhibition

The completed installation transformed the original display case into a refined heritage exhibit wall.

The new doors and framing system provide security and durability while preserving the clean architectural presentation of the installation. The addition of the cherry plaque and custom artifact hardware allows Royal Columbian Hospital’s historical objects to be displayed safely and clearly for visitors.

By adapting new fabrication to the existing structure, the project preserved the original installation while significantly improving the functionality and presentation of the display.

Project Gallery

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