State Archive Centre

Client: State Archive Centre
Location: Sydney, NSW

THE OPPORTUNITY

Preserving history: turning a dormant space into a world-class archive

NSW is home to one of Australia's most significant collections of historical records, with documents, maps, plans and publications spanning hundreds of years of the state's history. Safeguarding these materials requires purpose-built environments that balance physical security, climate control, fire suppression and efficient storage density, all without compromising the integrity of items that are, in many cases, irreplaceable.

The client, a state archive centre in NSW, operates a large heritage building that houses these collections across a series of dedicated storage rooms. While several of these rooms were already fitted with appropriate shelving, one large room had been used primarily as a research and study space rather than for high-density storage. As the organisation's collections continued to grow and space demands increased, the decision was made to convert this room into a fully operational archive storage facility.

The room's conversion represented an opportunity to significantly increase the organisation's storage capacity. However, the project came with a unique set of constraints: the building's age and heritage status meant construction and fit out works had to be carefully sequenced, the environment inside the room was highly controlled (including an oxygen-reduction fire suppression system designed to protect against fire without damaging the collection), and the shelving solution needed to accommodate not only standard archive boxes but also oversized items such as historical maps and plans.

Before shelving installation could begin, the client undertook improvements to the room's flooring. Once that work was complete, they reached out to APC to design and deliver a storage solution that would make full use of the available space while meeting the specific operational and environmental requirements of a working archive.

THE SOLUTION

A tailored system built around the archive's unique requirements

APC's engagement began with an on-site assessment of the room, during which the team took detailed measurements and worked closely with the client's project team to understand the full scope of what was required. The brief was clear: maximise storage capacity, accommodate a secured area for the most sensitive items and ensure the shelving system supported the building's strict environmental and fire safety standards.

Uni-Shelving with perforated backing

APC recommended and designed a static Uni-Shelf® system as the primary storage solution. While a mobile compactus-style Aislesaver® system was discussed, which would have delivered even greater storage density, the client opted for the familiarity and simplicity of a static configuration. This decision reflected the organisation's existing comfort with static shelving used in other parts of the facility, and the project team noted that an Aislesaver solution may be considered for future room upgrades.

One of the key technical requirements of the project was airflow. The archive's oxygen-reduction fire suppression system - which works by reducing oxygen levels in the room to suppress any fire before it can take hold - required that air be able to circulate freely through the shelving. Standard Uni-Shelf® shelving features a solid back panel, which would have impeded airflow. APC addressed this by supplying shelving with a perforated back panel, allowing air to pass through the structure while maintaining the unit's load integrity.

APC had previously delivered perforated-back shelving for other heritage institutions, providing confidence in both the product's suitability and the supply process. The perforated panels were outsourced for punching and integrated into the Uni-Shelf® system without any compromise to structural performance.

A secured cage area for the most sensitive items

Alongside the main shelving installation, the client required a physically secured area within the room to store a collection of historical maps and oversized archival materials. APC designed and installed a lockable caged enclosure within the room, incorporating long-span (APC Uni-Span® shelving) and purpose-built map cabinets.

The integration of the caged area required careful planning, particularly around access and sequencing. The room had a temporary opening in one wall at the time of initial delivery, which allowed larger components to be brought in. Once the wall was closed, the remaining items, including the map cabinets, had to be brought in through a standard doorway. APC's installation team managed this logistical challenge without delay, completing both the main shelving and the caged enclosure within the overall project timeline.

Staged installation, seamless delivery

The installation was carried out in two coordinated stages: the primary Uni-Shelf® runs were completed first, followed by the construction of the secured cage area and fitting of the map cabinets. Both stages were completed within a two-week period, with no significant issues arising during the installation. The client's project team was kept informed throughout, and APC's on-site team adapted to the room's specific constraints - including ceiling height clearances, the fire suppression infrastructure and sprinkler system positioning - to deliver a clean, professional finish.

THE IMPACT

A new standard for archive storage at the facility

The completed installation gave the client a purpose-built, high-density archive storage room capable of housing a substantial volume of archival materials, including standard archive boxes, oversized maps and other collection items requiring controlled storage conditions.

The perforated shelving back panels ensured the room's oxygen-reduction fire suppression system could continue to operate as designed, with unobstructed airflow across all shelving runs. This meant the client didn't have to choose between storage density and fire safety compliance. APC's solution delivered both.

The secured cage area provided the client with an additional layer of physical security for its most sensitive and valuable collection items, with dedicated map cabinets and Uni-Span® shelving offering appropriate support for oversized and fragile archival materials.

The project was completed on time, within a two-week installation window, with no disruption to the broader facility. The client is happy with the outcome and the project has since opened the door to further engagement.

The project demonstrates APC's ability to deliver tailored shelving solutions in technically demanding, heritage-sensitive environments, combining product customisation, logistical problem-solving and close collaboration with the client to achieve a result that meets both operational and preservation requirements.