Improved botany specimen intake workflow, 
from processing to long-term storage.
from processing to long-term storage.Background:
Client: Morton Arboretum
Markets: Botany, Collection Storage
Completion: October 2018
The Morton Arboretum’s 1,700 acres hold more than 222,000 live plants representing nearly 4,300 taxa from around the world. The Arboretum conducts leading scientific research on tree health and tree improvement, collects and displays trees for study and enjoyment on the grounds, offers educational programming for adults and children, and presents nature-related activities year-round for people of all ages and interests.
Working with the Arboretum’s herbarium staff to find the right solution
Challenges
The Morton Arboretum needed to create long-term storage to preserve their huge collection of botanical specimens. Beyond long-term preservation, they wanted a solution to improve their workflow from the initial intake to the botany cabinet.
Plant specimens sometimes arrive at their facility in jars, boxes, plastic bags, and sometimes even paper folders, and their herbarium needed to accommodate these specimens in all their different shapes and sizes. Before making their way into long-term storage, they are temporarily stored in a processing after the initial intake.
Our design solution
Using Viking cabinets by Spacesaver, we designed bins that would fit snugly throughout their workflow— from the initial intake at their work stations, on to temporary storage, and finally inside the botany cabinetry for long term storage.
The workstation drawers we designed to neatly fit four bins at a time, while also acting as additional work surface when pulled out from the cabinet.
See images of our custom solution for their work stations
