Facebook Pixel

USM Haller Modular Storage System

USM Haller Modular Storage System

We are able to provide a varied selection of modular storage solutions here at Aram Store.  So, we thought it may be helpful to provide a little insight and focus on one of these systems that you may already be familiar with, by either browsing in-store or online, but yet not fully appreciated its capabilities – the USM Haller Storage System.

The company was originally founded over a hundred years ago by Ulrich Schärer in Münsingen, Switzerland -  a small municipality located just south-east of the capital city, Bern.  Throughout the early years, they were predominantly known as an ironworks and locksmiths but then, in 1961, Paul Schärer (3rd generation) joined the family business and made the decision to build a new factory and office pavilion whilst also making plans to push the company’s output in a new direction.

USM - Factory

In 1963, after collaborating with the Swiss architect, Fritz Haller, to realise his new factory buildings, they also began to develop an idea for a flexible furniture system that could be used in the new office pavilion.  This idea endured and went on to become the USM Haller Storage System that we sell today.

Eventually, in 1965, Paul Schärer applied to patent the USM ball joint that, as well as being a crucial component in making the system flexible, also became a key feature in the overall appearance of the system.

USM - patented ball joint

Full scale production began in 1969 and one of the first, large contracts they secured was to fit out the Rothschild Bank in Paris, France.

USM - Rothschild Bank Paris

Throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, they began to expand as a business and also started to produce new lines of products such as the USM Display range and the USM Kitos desk system before opening new subsidiaries and showrooms across the globe in France, Germany, USA and the Far East with a showroom opening in Tokyo, Japan in 2009.

In 2001, the USM Haller System was accepted into the permanent collection of MoMA, New York.

We hope that brief summary of the history of the USM brand explains a little about the heritage that lies behind the company.  But, to really understand the philosophy of the design of the Haller System, there are three key features of the system that need to be considered:

Form and Function: The 'form' of a piece of furniture must always fall in line with its 'function' and the USM Haller System perfectly demonstrates this hierarchy. The function can clearly be seen in every aspect of the design and with their avoidance of fashionable trends, they have also created an enduring and timeless product.

USM -At home - Form Modularity: Flexibility should also be an important consideration when buying furniture and the USM modular furniture range can be used to create a complete office landscape or essential storage solutions within living areas for the home. Any of the tailor-made solutions that the system provides can also be added to, or altered to suit new requirements, at any time - the quintessence of any, fully functioning modular furniture system.

USM - At home - Modularity Ecology and Sustainability: At USM, there is a constant search into providing furniture solutions against an ever-increasing background of economic needs and ecological concerns. Therefore, the question of how to deal responsibly with energy emissions, raw materials and production methods has always played a central role in the development of their system. The shelf-life of a product must be of the utmost importance when it comes to ecological considerations – the longer a product can be used, the less it adversely impacts the environment. In their use of high-quality, durable materials, they are guaranteeing a long and dependable service life alongside a hope that their furniture will become 'generational' and handed down through the family for future use.

USM - At home - Sustainability Just as Aram Designs is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the design of USM Haller Furniture System will reach the very same landmark next year in 2015. For any enquiries regarding the USM System, please feel free to speak to any of our USM experts in-store on Drury Lane or contact us by email or phone.

Myles Brown