USM presents GREATER THAN THE SUM as part of 3daysofdesign in the heart of Copenhagen. Conceived with New York City gallery FORM Atelier, the project is a tribute to the essence of the iconic USM Haller furniture system – a design that has remained unmistakable for over 60 years, yet continues to reinvent itself. USM enthusiasts and visitors new to the brand will be offered an unusual perspective on this design classic. Disassembled into its components and suspended sculpturally in space, the furniture reveals the simplicity and ingenuity of USM.

Protagonists of Infinite Possibilities

 

In a world of mass production and fast-moving trends, the longing for permanence and quality is growing. The 3daysofdesign theme, “Make This Moment Matter,” captures this cultural zeitgeist and reflects a societal shift away from “more” and toward what is meaningful.

 

Inspired by this idea, USM looks to the origin of its uniqueness and puts the true protagonists in the spotlight: modular components designed not for one specific end product, but for timeless adaptability. Here, the whole is not only greater than the sum of its parts, but different every time.

 

Choreography in Three Dimensions

 

These components are at the center of the installation GREATER THAN THE SUM. Inspired by exploded-view drawings found in architecture and mechanical engineering, FORM Atelier co-founders Quy Nguyen and Avril Nolan bring the principle of disassembly to life with this installation.

 

USM furniture is presented in its individual parts, suspended in space. Spheres, tubes, and panels stand on their own, yet together foreshadow the whole. This choreography reveals what otherwise remains hidden: the beauty of precision. Each piece is crafted to fit perfectly with the next, allowing for an infinite number of combinations.

 

The clean-lined aesthetic and highly functional design highlight the architectural origins of the system — a design language that has remained true to its principles and values over time.

 

The Two Sides of the Classic

 

The installation highlights the contrasts that define the brand’s essence. On one hand, the spatial “explosions” reveal the technical sophistication and complexity required for the modular system to function in all its possibilities. On the other, the installation’s clean lines and simple forms communicate the calm and clarity of minimalist design.

 

Known for their in-depth research and unexpected pairings of historical design and art references, FORM Atelier looks for the connections between art, objects and furniture to reveal larger narratives. In response to the historic exhibition space at Frederiksgade, Nguyen and Nolan drew inspiration from Scandinavian interiors to inform the installation’s refined color palette. Earthy tones were selected to convey warmth and underscore the restrained aesthetic. The result is an atmosphere reminiscent of the serene paintings of Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864–1916), whose muted palette evokes a similar sense of stillness and calm.

 

Applying the same concept, USM also presents an installation at other circle, a cross-disciplinary exhibition exploring and redefining contemporary design culture. Bringing together art, design, fashion, food, and music in a curated environment, the initiative responds to the growing demand for formats with genuine cultural presence.

 

Credits

 

Art Direction by gallerists Quy Nguyen and Avril Nolan of FORM Atelier in New York

 

Visual Design by creative studio NR2154 based in New York, Paris, and Copenhagen