atelier öi adapts USM's modular system to rouse kinetic installation

atelier öi adapts USM’s modular system to rouse kinetic installation
image courtesy of USM

over a century ago, ulrich schaerer founded USM which emerged onto the market as a producer of iron works and window fittings. however, it was in 1961, when schaerer’s grandson paul decided to transform the company and drive it in a new direction, that it really began evolving from a large, manually-oriented metal production plant, into a modern industrial enterprise.

atelier öi employs USM’s three main furniture components to create an interactive work
image © designboom

to attain this goal, schaerer commissioned swiss architect fritz haller to design a structure that would house all of the münsingen-based business’s factory floors, as well as its administrative offices. in its development, haller conceived the building as a modular facility — a scheme which fueled schaerer, together with haller, to create a flexible furniture solution that featured a similar approach to adaptability. thus, in 1965, the two released USM’s pioneering furniture product which is known today as the USM haller systems; a network of components that deliver infinite reuse and reconfiguration possibilities to adapt to various environment. originally used mostly for workspace applications, it is now widely popular for domestic and more personal settings.

USM’s modular furniture system is defined by three main elements: a chrome plated brass ball; chrome steel connecting pipes; and sheet material in powder coated steel, perforated metal and glass available in 14 colors; and offers a timeless design that can be easily assembled and disassembled. on the occasion of designers’ saturday 2014 in langenthal, switzerland, USM commissioned atelier öi to envision a creative work that expressed the limitless possibilities of its product.

atelier öi’s ‘la vie en rose’ is made up of three cubes housing chandelier structures crafted from USM’s ball connectors
images courtesy of USM

a monolithic gridded framework made from USM components (in total almost 2000 balls held together by 8880 connectors and 4848 steel tubes), ‘la vie en rose’ presented three cubed structures, each one housing a suspended kinetic ‘chandelier’ installation, collectively made from 4204 spheres, and 320 meters of wire rope, weighing in at 600 kg. the delicate forms were displayed across from a wall illuminated by a red rose color filter, bringing a sense of femininity to the more masculine, rigid structure.  

the chandeliers are continuously moving, displaying the flexibility of USM’s furniture systems
image © designboom

in its entirety, atelier öi’s interpretation of USM’s elements projected an atmosphere that emphasized the multi-dimensionality, lightness and versatility of USM’s product, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a world of alternating contrasts.

in total, 4204 spheres and 320 meters of wire rope were used to shape the three chandeliers
image © designboom

image © designboom

‘la vie en rose’ is an expression of continuous change and adaptation
image © designboom

up close look at one of the kinetic pieces
image © designboom

one letter of USM’s initials were featured in each box, standing as an illuminated rose pink neon light, reflecting onto the chandeliers
images courtesy of USM

image © designboom

general view of ‘la vie en rose’ at designers’ saturday 2014
image courtesy of USM

armand louis of atelier öi
portrait © designboom

the outer framework of the installation is made up from 2000 balls, held together by 8880 connectors and 4848 steel tubes
image © designboom

the monolithic gridded structure made from USM components
image © designboom

back view of ‘la vie on rose’ facing a wall that is backlit with a red rose color filter
image courtesy of USM