thank you this helps as we plan our museum expansion. >>> [log in to unmask] 04/16/04 11:37AM >>> Good Afternoon Karen, This question comes up every year or so......so here is my answer to this question from last August, taken from the listserve archives. Please remember that every museum is different......so there is no ideal formula.....nevertheless here is an answer, albeit imperfect. With regards to percentages of floor space, here's my two cents: 1.) 30% exhibition galleries and public programming areas (such as an auditorium, classroom or meeting area); 2.) 30% collection storage and processing/conservation areas; 3.) 40% everything else (hallways, lobby, museum retail area and retail storage, non-collections storage, restrooms, heating and cooling mechanical areas HVAC, janitorial spaces, staff offices and meeting rooms, security, exhibition fabrication area, chase ways for ductwork,......etc., etc.). Please note that most folks usually end up robbing #2 and #3 to get more of #1 and after a couple of years start kicking themselves.....and unfortunately, never stop kicking themselves.......I am speaking from experience. I hope this helps, and best wishes for success! Wesley P.S. This ratio (and all others) is (are) always up for discussion since some museums store and exhibit smaller things (archaeological) and some museums store and exhibit larger things (industrial and mechanical), therefore each type of museum has its own particular set of issues to deal with....causing many design issues to be considered such as floor loads (how much weight can a floor hold), elevator sizes, and hallway widths and heights, to name a few...... Wesley S. Creel Administrator of Programs Pink Palace Family of Museums Memphis, Tennessee U.S.A. Telephone 901.320.6370 [log in to unmask] www.memphismuseums.org >>> [log in to unmask] 04/16/04 11:31AM >>> Hi everyone, I have a question regarding collection storage space and exhibit space. On the collection storage is there any rule of thumb ie, size of collection, how many square feet (metes) per object etc. What I am looking for is if you were given the opportunity and the means to build a new facility what amount of space would you allocate for collection storage or how would you determine how much space you will need. Same for exhibit space. thanks Karen Richardson Curator Princeton Museum ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). The City of Riverside has changed its domain name to "riversideca.gov". Please make note of this change for your email records. Effective July 17, 2004, the City's area code has changed to 951. On October 31, 2004, callers must use the correct 951 area code to complete their calls. If you have any questions regarding this message, please direct your inquiries to [log in to unmask] or call 951-826-5311 <<<<City of Riverside>>>> ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).