High-End Custom Manufacturing Company
High-End Custom Manufacturing Company
Custom display cases and exhibit components, designed and built in-house.
Museums, galleries, First Nations governments, and public institutions trust us with the cases that present their most meaningful objects. We design each one around a specific collection, space, and audience, then build it at our Vancouver shop.
Our clients include the Museum of Vancouver, the Royal BC Museum, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Tsilhqot’in National Government, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. On every project, we work with you, not just for you.
We’ve built display cases for the Tsilhqot’in National Government in Williams Lake and for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Administration Building. Work like this calls for close collaboration and real respect for what the cases will hold. Your team guides how pieces are presented, and we keep you involved through every drawing and fabrication update. We value these relationships and would be honoured to support more Nations in sharing their collections.
Our typical cases use cast acrylic tops with waterborne paint and wood finishes. If your institution specifies particular materials or finishes, we build to them. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, for example, selected a specific paint for its project, and that experience continues to inform the materials we choose.
For security, our standard approach fastens the acrylic top to the case base with tamper-resistant bolts. They need a specialty driver bit rather than a standard screwdriver, and we supply that bit to your team for authorized access.
Freestanding cases with acrylic tops, sized and finished for your objects.
Display bases with drawers or cabinets built into the design.
Wall-integrated displays and cabinetry built into your space.
Upgraded display walls that help institutions share their history with visitors.
Custom bases and components for gallery exhibitions.
We learn about your goals, the objects you’re displaying, your space, requirements, budget, and timing.
Where a previous MJY design suits your needs, we use it as a starting point, then account for size, shelving, appearance, built-in elements, and any custom requirements.
We provide a formal scope agreement and a deposit invoice, so everything is clearly documented before design work begins.
We then prepare formal drawings for your review and approval.
We build to the approved drawings and share updates and progress photos as the work moves along.
Depending on the project, we coordinate freight, professional movers, or delivery and installation by our own team. Then we review the finished work with you to confirm you’re happy with it.
Our typical museum display cases cost approximately $5,000 to $15,000 CAD per case. Larger or more complex cases can range from $30,000 to $50,000, and extensive custom designs can reach $50,000 to $100,000. Dimensions, design complexity, display requirements, and the overall project scope all influence pricing, which we confirm in a project-specific proposal.
Generally, allow one to two months from a signed agreement and paid deposit for design, fabrication, and delivery. Timing depends on the number of cases, their complexity, whether a new design is required, and where they’re going. If you’re working toward an exhibition opening or another fixed date, tell us early and we’ll confirm a realistic schedule.
MJY were absolutely fabulous to work with. Very professional, very prompt, good open and responsive communications and importantly, they listened to, designed and built to our needs very high quality exhibition components. I would work with them again any time.
Stephen Topfer
Manager of Collections, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Every collection has different needs, so suitability is best confirmed project by project. We’re transparent about what goes into each case and can build to the standards your institution sets. If you’re displaying sensitive objects, involve your conservator early, and we’ll agree on material choices together before anything is built.
We don’t currently offer display case retrofits. In our experience, modifying existing cases can introduce unexpected costs and compromises. Instead, we build new cases suited to your collection, your space, and how the cases will be used.
Yes. We serve institutions and communities across Western Canada, and delivery farther afield may be considered on request.
Yes. You don’t need drawings to start a conversation with us. We offer design consultation and project management no matter the size of your project or where you’re located, and we’ll develop the detailed 3D drawings and renderings once the agreement is in place.
