Since 1961, kubik maltbie has been a leading producer of exceptional exhibits and experiences for museums, science centres, and immersive spaces. With offices in the United States, Canada, and Europe, the company has collaborated with many of the world’s most esteemed institutions.
As a supplier of complete exhibit production services, kubik maltbie manages the entire project lifecycle, from initial cost estimation and pre-construction to project commissioning and closeout. The company’s history of delivering award-winning, high-profile projects showcases its commitment to executing projects on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
For each project, kubik maltbie embraces a collaborative, client-focused strategy. Its interdisciplinary team offers a wide range of skills, guaranteeing that it achieves client goals throughout all phases of the exhibit production process.
As the firm prepares to exhibit at AAM’s Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo 2025 in Los Angeles, California, we speak to Cathlin Bradley, VP of partnership strategy, Curt Cederquist, VP of business development, and Adam Kohn, director of strategic partnerships for Canada, about what makes kubik maltbie unique and explore some of its recent projects.
Over six decades of experience
Kubik maltbie is committed to providing exceptional museum exhibit and themed entertainment fabrication and AV hardware integration services.
It was founded in 1961 by Charles Maltbie, father of the current president, Chuck Maltbie. Initially tradeshow-focused, the firm also created exhibits for the 1963 New York World’s Fair and Expo 67 in Montreal. An early museum project was the Experimental Flight Gallery at the National Air & Space Museum in 1976.
In 1982, it built exhibits for the Exxon Energy Exchange at Walt Disney World’s Epcot, marking its first serious interactive electro-mechanical project.
In 1987, the company built exhibits for the National Museum of Natural History in Taiwan and later for the Hong Kong Science and History Museums. Being chosen to create exhibits for the United States Holocaust Museum in 1992 marked its transition to focus solely on museums and attractions.
Fast forward to today, and the company has completed over 450 permanent installations in virtually every state as well as multiple international locations. It focuses on museums of all genres, including children’s, science, natural history, sports, history, and other legacy projects.
In addition to the core museum business, kubik maltbie works in themed entertainment and branded environments.
A streamlined approach
Visitor expectations have changed dramatically in recent years. Adapting to these shifts, kubik maltbie provides pre-construction consulting to support its clients as they prepare for fabrication. This service helps make projects more streamlined and ensures no scope gaps. They also offer design/build partnerships and design assist services to support early cost estimating, budget alignment, and scheduling.
The firm’s projects span a diverse range of institutions, from history museums to cutting-edge science centres.
As a turnkey fabrication firm, it supports independent design firms for all of its projects, while in-house services include cost estimating, budgeting, and value engineering; comprehensive project management and coordination services; interactives – proof-of-concept, development, and prototyping; and building integration and coordination with the general contractor.
It also offers show control, subcontractor management, comprehensive exhibit fabrication services, and AV hardware design and integration services.
Bradley says: “These days, it feels like every project is pushing new boundaries! Sometimes creatively, other times, it’s budget and schedule that present unique challenges. We enjoy the opportunity to tackle new challenges and think of creative ways to serve the unique needs of our clients.”
Custom fabrication from kubik maltbie
Everything that kubik maltbie builds is custom fabricated for a unique project and client and requires a combination of many materials and speciality trades.
“To be able to take on such a vast array of complicated and challenging projects, we use a network of speciality partners and subcontractors,” says Cederquist.
Working with local subcontractors also helps the firm to reduce its environmental impact. Kubik maltbie is committed to sustainability and strives to minimise its carbon footprint in all its projects.
“Having local partners also offers multiple other benefits such as installation support, logistics support on deliveries, knowledge of the local area, and support through the warranty phase,” adds Cederquist. “One of the first tasks we undertake when we are taking on a new project is to research the local area for resources that will benefit the project.”
The International Spy Museum & the Empire State Building
The International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C, is a standout project.
This features a permanent collection of more than 750 artefacts, showcasing the history of espionage from the Greek and Roman Empires to the present. It relocated to a new, expanded building with all-new exhibitions in 2019.
Kubik maltbie provided pre-construction services, including budgetary alignment, schedule management, and prototyping. Following pre-construction, the company also served as the prime fabricator responsible for the fabrication and installation of all exhibits.
“At kubik maltbie, we understand the importance of meeting deadlines, especially on large projects,” says Bradley. “For the International Spy Museum project, we divided the work between two internal teams, each led by a project manager. This approach allowed us to manage the project effectively and deliver on an incredibly tight timeline.”
The company also worked on reimagining the visitor experience at the Empire State Building in 2018. This project redesigned the building’s entry, where visitors queue to access the top floors, featuring a two-story model as the highlight of the space.
Exhibits include “Building an Icon,” detailing the construction of the 102-story Art Deco skyscraper and its appearances in Hollywood movies like King Kong. Meanwhile, the Elevator Experience simulates the ride to the top of the building.
“This was a unique and interesting project because it took place in an iconic historic building that was never completely closed to visitors during the installation,” says Cederquist.
“It also included a variety of interactives requiring in-depth prototyping and testing. One challenge included animating artefacts from the original elevator relay boards so they were safe for visitors to experience. These relay boards were originally high-voltage units that we reworked with low-voltage LED lighting to re-create the effect of the electric current.”
Highly interactive experiences and other kubik maltbie projects
Two recent achievements include La Nube, El Paso’s groundbreaking and inclusive STEAM centre, and London Children’s Museum in Ontario. Building interactive exhibits for children requires a different level of care and attention to detail than spaces designed for adult audiences.
Designed by Gyroscope, Inc., La Nube is a hybrid museum and science centre where visitors are encouraged to use their imaginations to embark on new learning adventures and explore hands-on activities, including sensory sandboxes and giant synthesisers. A 50-foot-tall climber connects four floors of educational exhibits.
Kubik maltbie was responsible for fabricating and installing all exhibits, including the five-story climbing structure. “This structure required extensive collaboration with the general contractor to ensure alignment with the building, and tolerances were incredibly tight,” says Bradley.
Working in collaboration with exhibit designers R&P and SKOLNICK, kubik maltbie was engaged early in the concept design process for London Children’s Museum to assist with providing detailed budgets for the exhibit program.
This thoughtful process resulted in a well-informed client who was able to develop a successful fundraising plan. “Cutting-edge materials and hyper-realistic scenic treatments immerse children in a world designed just for them. Safety and durability are considered in every inch of the space,” says Kohn
Other projects include the renovation of four core galleries at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Wilmington, where the scope included exhibit fabrication and AV hardware integration, as well as interactive development, and graphics production.
Notable clients include the Frost Museum of Science in Miami, Florida; the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; the Statue of Liberty Museum in New York City; the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, Canada; the DoSeum in San Antonio, Texas, Lego House in Billund, Denmark, the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut, Philadephia Zoo in Pennsylvania, and more.
Kubik maltbie and the future of experience design
Experience design is becoming more technology-driven. Speaking about moving with this trend, Cederquist says:
“We are definitely seeing the industry moving towards more immersive and interactive experiences. We added in-house AV design and hardware integration services to respond to this demand and also support our clients and design partners.”
Kubik maltbie can coordinate aspects of the immersive show control, while its in-house AV and interactives teams allow it to fully integrate AV with mechanical interactives.
Looking ahead to the museum experience of the future and speaking about how to navigate the balance between physical and digital experiences, Bradley says:
“When everyone has technology in their pocket, we must consider how museums and attractions can provide authentic in-person experiences that visitors can’t have at home.
“We anticipate the future may be more balanced experiences, using technology to drive key story points or amplify the big idea rather than serving as tech for the sake of tech.
“Today’s kids crave hands-on experiences. Technology isn’t special to them! Again, they all have a computer in their pocket. So, we must provide something memorable, immersive, and engaging to capture their attention and make memories.”
More projects to come
As well as La Nube, recently completed projects for the team include the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, and the Edelman Fossil Park and Museum at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, working with G&A on both.
More projects that the team contributed to will open later this year, including the Princeton Art Museum and the Hoover Dam Visitor Center. Kubik maltbie also worked with Local Projects on the upcoming National Urban League – Urban Civil Rights Museum.
Other projects on the go include the Ellis Island Visitor Center and the Wisconsin History Center, both working with Ralph Appelbaum Associates and the Milwaukee Public Museum in collaboration with Thinc Design.
Kubik maltbie is a team of experts who are passionate about the industry. Sharing advice for the next generation of museum and experience producers, Bradley adds:
“We must remember that each experience we build tells a unique and important story. We must also commit to an attitude of flexibility and adaptability to continue meeting the needs of the industry as it grows and changes to ensure that these stories reach the public in accessible and engaging ways.”
Meet kubik maltbie at the AAM Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo 2025 at booth #907. Meetings at the show can be booked via email with Bradley, Cederquist, and Kohn.
