Store your passion with the USM Haller system

Fritz Haller's iconic modular storage range has been in constant production by the Swiss-furniture company USM since the 1960s.

Though initially designed for internal use at USM's Münsingen headquarters, Haller's storage system found a second life thanks to an order from the Rothschild Bank in Paris in 1969, and from there the rest is history, with creatives, professionals and enthusiasts taking inspiration from the myriad of possibilities offered by the Haller System and using it to create their own fully-customised storage solutions.

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One such creative is Devon Turnbull, who recently used elements from the Haller System to build a listening room, a space designed to provide the optimum conditions within which for music aficionados to appreciate their passion.

Acoustically-optimised, the space is meticulously put together, with USM's furniture system proving to be the aesthetic equal to the room's sonic dimension. The USM units store records and books on music alongside other assorted ephemera, such as a drum machine and memorabilia, without ever infringing on the core purpose of the space.

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It's often easy to overlook the modular nature of the Haller System, given just how complete and beautiful the units look upon first sight. The Brooklyn apartment of Barbara and Ed Parker, a pair of design enthusiasts, serves as the perfect reminder of just how versatile the system is; the couple first bought their system in 2015, with a view to store their record collection, and now, almost a decade on, their initial modest setup looks very different.

Two children and several hundred records later, the Parker's system has shifted from two-tier sideboard to full-on media unit, with the unit essentially covering one whole wall of the family living room and full of books, objects, ornaments and yes, records, as well as featuring a cutout space for a television. The evolution of the Parker system serves as the perfect showcase for how versatile the USM Haller System is, with the user encouraged to keep hold of their furniture as their household shifts and their circumstances change, rather than dispose of them and buy anew. Like all great design it's inherently sustainable and designed to last a lifetime.

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Meanwhile, airline pilot Kang purchased his customised USM unit to store his extensive collection of video games. Across the two stories of his creative home in Chongqing, China, Kang's passions are on full display, with a pair of full-size arcade units sitting at the heart of the collection. The Haller system itself is utilised as both functional storage and structural element too, with its placement next to a staircase in turn providing a barrier between the stairs and an otherwise empty space. Thanks to the modular nature of the system Kang was able to design a piece with precision that would fit the space perfectly, making it safe for his children to use the stairs.

Whatever your passion, there's a USM Haller solution to suit your needs. Get in touch with Utility Design today to discuss the possibilities.