USM is a Swiss furniture brand famous for its modular furniture system. This system, designed by the architect Fritz Haller, has gained such recognition and acclaim that the name of the brand is now a synonyme for the furniture line. USM Haller furniture is, in its essence, the design of a small ball. From this basic element, any type of storage system can be configured and built.

HISTORY

The USM brand was founded in 1855 as a hardware and locksmith’s business  in Munsingen, Switzerland. In the following decades, the company slowly expanded into different fields and expanded continuously. In 1961, a new factory building was commissioned, to be designed by the architect Fritz Haller. The factory incorporates a flexible modular structure in steel, that could be expanded and altered as needed.

The cooperation between USM director Paul Schaerer and Fritz Haller continued over the years with the development of the Haller furniture system. The basic concept of the furniture line was fixed at that time in the form of the elegant chrome-plated brass ball joint.

HALLER SYSTEM

The guiding principle of the Haller furniture has always been that form follows function. The basic ball joints are connected by chrome-plated steel tubes, which are available in various sizes. This stable framework is then finished by mounting any of the various panels that are available for the system. A wide range of accessories completes the range to create any type of storage or display structure.

The system has, in essence, remained unchanged in the past decades, while the range of options and applications has broadened continuously. New panels and accessories have improved the possibilities of the system to such an extent that it can now be used to create any type of storage for home, office or retail use. In 2001, USM Haller was included in the permanent collection of the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York. 

Because the basic element is a modular framework, any USM Haller object can be adapted, expanded or re-used at will. This flexibility ensures that the system remains current and optimized for its intended use.

HALLER TABLE

The Haller table was designed specifically to match the dimensions and aesthetic of the Haller system. The table range is available in various sizes and configurations, with a range of accessories and different table top finishes.

KITOS TABLE

The Kitos table was developed to meet the needs of more complex office environments, with high-tech workstations that can be adjusted and positioned exactly as required with a wide range of accessories.

SUSTAINABILITY

The topic of sustainability in design is a relatively recent issue, but has been a theme in the USM philosophy for a long time. While the product and material itself are not inherently sustainable, the longevity, versatility and flexibility of the system ensure that waste is minimized. Because any elemant can be re-used and recombined into a new setup, the lifetime of the product is in essence without limit.

APPLICATIONS

Home - book cabinet

Office - File storage

Home - Sideboard

Retail - Storage & display

Office - credenza

Home - TV-stand

Office - trolley / pedestal

 Home - Wine cellar

Public - Library

INTERESTED?

Please contact one of our interior designers for more information about USM and its options.