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Although the layout of a conservation operation depends
on the amount and type of space available, there are
some basic requirements to consider. It is useful to
draw up a floor plan on graph paper and experiment with
different layouts. This will ensure that adequate space
is assigned for furniture, machines, services, and utilities,
and that the best possible use is made of that space.
All benches and work surfaces should be a standard
96 centimeters high. This height has been found to work
well with staff of various sizes and is designed to
allow staff to work standing or sitting on adjustable
stools or chairs. For most conservation functions, it
is best that staff stand and move to fully utilize all
the work surface. For this reason, the work surface
should be large (suggested standard bench is 2.44 meters
x 1.24 meters), with materials spread along its surface
to encourage staff to work on groups of materials. For
paper conservators, it is useful to have collapsible
tables with a lower height of 77 centimeters for working
on oversize materials such as maps. The lower height
allows the staff to reach the center of a large piece.
Space between benches and other work surfaces should
be a minimum of 1 meter. This allows staff to move about
freely and book trucks to navigate through. Benches
should not be placed against a wall; there should be
enough space to allow a number of staff to work on group
projects at the same bench.
Machines should generally be grouped along a wall,
their placement determined by their use. For example,
leaf
casters, which require water, need to
be close to a sink, and the suction table should be
within easy reach of the fume hood/cupboard so that
solvents can be vented. In a stiffening
operation, the power paper cutter should always be sited
against a wall and the machine gluing function should
be performed close to a sink.
The rolling table is the same height and width as the
standard bench but half the length, with a work surface
area of 1.24 meters x 1.24 meters. Lockable wheels allow
the table to be set against a standard bench, and it
can be lengthened if needed. Drying racks, used for
both book and paper conservation, should be mobile and
moved against the wall when not needed.
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Layout 
