USM Haller Mobile Pedestal with 3 Drawers Type II (with Counterbalance), Lowest drawer with lock, USM matte silver

Assembly of a USM mobile cabinet

Designer

Even when history will inevitably remember him as a furniture designer, Fritz Haller always considered himself principally as an architect. Indeed the USM furniture system is the only notable furniture design project in a career dominated by institutional and domestic architecture work, a portfolio that includes schools, office buildings and industrial facilities. All the furniture he did design was in context of his architectural projects: a prime example being the USM Haller furniture. In 1961 Fritz Haller was commissioned to design new production and office facilities for USM in Münsingen, in addition he created some office furniture. Office furniture that was to become one of the most successful modular furniture systems ever. Fritz Haller, architect and designer, died on 15 October 2012, in his home town of Solothurn, Switzerland.

The Design

Based on just three basic elements, steel tubes, metal panels and a chrome plated brass ball the USM Haller system allows for the construction of various types of furniture:from simple sideboards up to complex shelf storage solutions and on to mobile storage solutions such as the USM Haller mobile cabinet with three drawers. This practical piece of USM office furniture fits perfectly into the design philosophy of the Swiss furniture manufacturer to provide universal, function oriented solutions. System USM Haller emerged at the beginning of the 1960s as an in-house project at USM; however, the furniture system designed by architect Fritz Haller has quickly become an established classic in the field of office furniture. The principle hallmark of the furniture is the modular character and minimal design, while the glossy surface of the chrome pipes and balls and the lacquered metal panels provide the elegant, timeless aesthetic so typical of USM Haller furniture.

Production

USM has had its company headquarters in the Swiss village of Münsingen since 1885. Since the launch of USM Haller modular furniture system in the late 1960s, the components have been produced in the firm's own facilities, including powder coating of the panels in the 15 standard USM colours. The individual components are then either assembled in Münsingen or transported to one of the companies national centres for final assembly. Through this production concept with a strong central focus the company can guarantee and maintain the high quality of their USM mobile cabinets, sideboards, highboards et al. Due to the systems high quality and versatility USM furniture is very durable and resilient meaning that, in principle, a piece of USM furniture need never be through out or replaced. Simply re-built and adapted as needed.

USM factory in Bühl, Germany: The architecture reflects the furniture. Or is it the other way round....

Manufacturer

Founded in 1885 in Münsingen near Bern as ironmongery and locksmith business, USM developed over the decades into one of the most important manufacturers of designer furniture. Following on from sheet metal fabrication and the manufacture of window shutters in 1961 company boss Paul Schärer, grandson of company founder Ulrich Schärer, commissioned Fritz Haller with the planning of a new office pavilion, complete with and a new interior design. From this commission developed the USM furniture systems that is so familiar in offices and homes today. The real success story however begins with the start of mass production in 1969. Since when USM have opened new production sites showrooms. In 2001 System USM Haller was admitted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York