Parametric casework

A set of Grasshopper definitions to parametrize standard casework used for exhibitions at The Museum of Modern Art.

Instead of modeling and drafting each case manually, the team can use the toolkit to streamline the process and get updated 3D models and blueprints for production faster.

Deployed for the upcoming Ruth Asawa exhibition

Wall shelf, L-back with bonet

Pedestal/ Wall shelf

Wall shelf, standaard with bonet

Table case with bonnet

This design tool enables the museum’s exhibition design team to rapidly explore and refine casework modeling. The tool allows casework to be adjusted in real time, producing quick iterations that would otherwise require hours of redrawing. By visualizing these changes instantly, the team gains the flexibility to test multiple exhibition scenarios in parallel and make decisions with greater confidence.

Exhibition casework is more than just furniture. It directly shapes how visitors experience art. Each decision about height, spacing, and rhythm impacts accessibility, visibility, and flow through the galleries.

Pedestal

Tray case

Pedestal with bonet

At MoMA, most exhibitions involve coordinating between curators, exhibition designers, and fabricators under tight overlapping timelines. The casework tool reduced manual drafting time and opened up space for the team to focus on conceptual and spatial qualities, rather than repetitive technical adjustments. It also provides a framework that can be reused for future exhibitions, ensuring a more efficient and consistent design process across the institution.