Go Hasegawa Discusses the Workshop for the 50th Anniversary of USM Haller at a Talk Event | USM

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Reflecting on 'Rethink the Modular' at the USM Showroom

Architect Go Hasegawa to Host Exclusive Talk Event for 50 Guests

The "USM Haller" system furniture, celebrating its 50th anniversary and recognized in MoMA's permanent collection, will host a talk event on November 3rd (Tuesday). Architect Go Hasegawa will be invited to discuss the workshop held this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary. At the USM Modular Furniture Showroom in Marunouchi, Tokyo, visitors can also experience the new panel systems and desks that complement the "USM Haller."

Text by Yuzu Kuromiya

50th Anniversary Workshop Presented at Salone del Mobile

This year marks the 50th anniversary of "USM Haller," a modular storage system. Its defining characteristic is its flexibility, achieved by freely connecting basic modules to form three-dimensional frames.

To celebrate this 50th anniversary, seven emerging architects and designers from around the world were invited to Domaine de Boisbuchet in France for a workshop titled 'Rethink the Modular.' Participants were tasked with re-examining the concept of 'modular' and expressing it in their own unique ways.

The architects and designers, hailing from Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, the US, and Japan, formed teams and presented their project outcomes at this year's Salone del Mobile. Representing Japan were architect Go Hasegawa and a team of graduate students from Tokyo Institute of Technology. The USM Modular Furniture Showroom is exhibiting an overview of the project presented by Hasegawa's team, along with a mock-up of their work.

At the talk event on November 3rd (Tuesday), Hasegawa will discuss the content and creation process of the work developed during the project, as well as the relationship between architectural design in Switzerland and Japan from his perspective.

'Rethink the Modular' Architect Go Hasegawa
Discusses USM Haller's 50th Anniversary Workshop
Date: November 3, 2015 (Holiday, Tuesday)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Capacity: 50 people (first-come, first-served)
How to Participate: Apply online
URL: http://events.usm.com/talk-event2015/
Venue: USM Modular Furniture Showroom
1F-2F, Marunouchi MY PLAZA, 2-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Two New Products Reflecting the Modular System's Adaptability

At the USM Modular Furniture Showroom, visitors can also experience new furniture pieces that share the flexible characteristics of USM Haller. These include the recently launched "USM Privacy Panel" system and the "USM Kitos M" series of desks with mechanical height adjustment, requiring no electricity.

The USM Privacy Panel comes in two types: freestanding and desktop. Composed of fabric panels and cross tubes, it allows for flexible planning with choices in size and color. It is also compatible with USM Haller, enabling integrated use.

USM Privacy Panel

The USM Kitos M is an ethical work desk that supports energy saving and healthcare with its electricity-free height adjustment function. Developed based on ergonomics, it features a mechanical height adjustment mechanism. This allows for easy height changes, enabling posture adjustments during long desk work sessions to reduce physical strain. It is also convenient for shared workspaces.

Available types include the "USM Kitos M" for general office work, the "USM Kitos M Plus" with a sliding tabletop function, and the "USM Kitos M Meeting" ideal for conferences. Each offers a wide variety of material and size options.