Harry Ransom Center

An installation of etched glass and mixed media turns an archive inside out

With a goal of making the vast collection of University of Texas Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center more accessible to the University community and general public, fd2s collaborated with project architect Lake|Flato to find innovative ways to provide clues to the institution’s mission, and make the facility more inviting. The large expanses of glass at the building’s front corners, were quickly identified as opportunities to showcase signature pieces from the institution’s collection. fd2s dug into the archive and developed a layout that highlighted the qualities of the media represented, ranging from photographs to watercolors to charcoal sketches to line art. Working closely with the fabricator, fd2s selected etching techniques to illuminate each signature element and oversaw their production and installation.