Objective

The goal of this project was to design and deploy a modern, high-performance Wi-Fi solution for a Danish museum, with the primary focus on providing reliable guest access across both indoor and outdoor areas—without compromising the visual integrity of the museum’s historical architecture.

The Wi-Fi also needed to support internal staff connectivity and mobile payment terminals used during events such as concerts or outdoor exhibitions.

Background

This museum is a cultural landmark with multiple buildings and large outdoor areas, many of which are part of the museum experience itself. The challenge was to deploy wireless infrastructure across the entire property—without making it visible to the public.

Access points and especially antennas had to be discreetly hidden or embedded, in keeping with the architectural style of the site. Aesthetic considerations were as important as performance and coverage.

The client evaluated three vendors: Cisco Classic, Ruckus (Roku), and Cisco Meraki. After a thorough cost and operations analysis, Cisco Classic was selected as the optimal balance between cost, performance, and compatibility with existing support structures.

Design and Planning

Vendor Selection

  • Cisco Classic (vWLC-based solution) was chosen due to:
    • Competitive pricing over a 3-year period
    • Familiarity of local IT staff with Cisco equipment
    • The ability to leverage existing Cisco-based contractor support
  • Ruckus was excluded due to unfamiliarity and lack of in-house expertise
  • Meraki was evaluated but proved more costly over time

Infrastructure Design

  • Site Survey: Physical walk-throughs of all buildings and outdoor zones
  • Coverage Planning: Ensured full Wi-Fi coverage for:
    • Guest areas (indoor and outdoor)
    • Administrative zones
    • Event spaces (e.g. concert zones, temporary setups)
  • Discreet Mounting Solutions:
    • APs and antennas were hidden in roof structures, behind wooden panels, and integrated into existing architectural elements
    • Outdoor antennas placed behind visual barriers or disguised with custom mounts to maintain historical authenticity

Network Architecture

  • Cisco vWLC as the central controller
  • Multiple PoE Switches procured and deployed across campus
  • Fiber and copper backbone designed to interconnect buildings while minimizing cable visibility
  • VLANs and SSIDs configured for:
    • Guest access (with captive portal)
    • Internal staff (802.1X authentication)
    • Payment terminals (VLAN-separated with extended coverage)

Implementation

  • Installation took place during off-hours to avoid disrupting visitors
  • Coordination with local electricians and museum conservators ensured that the placement of access points adhered to both aesthetic and safety requirements
  • 802.1X Staff Wi-Fi was rolled out to enable seamless laptop roaming across the museum grounds
  • Special focus on supporting payment terminals outside traditional café zones, meeting the client’s requirement to allow event ticketing and food sales at various locations

Benefits

  • Discreet Design with Full Coverage: Maintained the visual integrity of the museum while providing robust wireless coverage for guests and staff
  • Flexible Payment Infrastructure: Enabled payment terminals to operate wirelessly anywhere on the museum grounds—crucial for large events
  • Easy Maintenance: Local staff retained control with a familiar Cisco environment, supported by their preferred contractor network
  • Secure Internal Access: 802.1X ensured secure staff authentication without exposing administrative traffic to the guest network
  • Cost-Efficient: Cisco Classic provided the best long-term value compared to cloud-managed or niche solutions

Conclusion

This project successfully merged modern connectivity needs with the aesthetic and historical requirements of a cultural institution. By selecting a vendor that balanced cost, capability, and familiarity, and carefully integrating equipment into the museum’s architecture, we delivered a solution that serves thousands of visitors annually—without ever being seen.

It’s a great example of how technology can enhance public spaces quietly and effectively, when designed with both performance and cultural sensitivity in mind.