Mix and match

Modular furniture is versatile and can be used as wall shelving, end of desk storage, room dividers or even reception desking. A notable example is USM’s Haller modular furniture, which has become something of a design icon since its inception in 1965. Its design is simple yet ingenious; from a few basic components, a beautiful, practical piece of furniture is built, designed to grow and change with its environment.

The first sizeable installation of Haller furniture was at the Rothschild bank in Paris, and it has since been commissioned by many design-savvy companies. Property developer Stanhope used USM in the redesign of its London office, from the reception area to the meeting rooms and main office.

In the main office area, home to up to 80 employees, the Haller furniture is used as end of desk storage as well as banks of standing-height storage units. These latter units help to shape and define the office landscape and support stand-up meetings, while providing plenty of storage space. The units can be accessed from both sides, creating a variety of storage options while also acting as a room divider.

Another example of creative modular design is BOB by Bisley. Officially launched at Salone di Mobile in Milan in 2019, BOB has won widespread acclaim, including the award of a Design Guild Mark and wins at the Mixology South Awards and Iconic Awards.

BOB was developed in collaboration with award-winning British designer Paul Kelley. The design is both simple and playful: cubes and units click together to form different arrangements, allowing the user to change the configuration at will. BOB is crafted using high-quality plywood, its hand-finished modules incorporating an ingenious system that uses technology-friendly magnets to securely lock the modules together. The units can be unlocked with a simple twist.

A range of accessories has recently been added, including colourful steel liners. These slide into the individual units to divide the space and add a dash of colour to the interior.