Presented at NYCxDesign 2025, Woven Structures is a new and unexpected collection from USM Modular Furniture, developed in close collaboration with industrial designer Henry Julier. The project introduces a surprising material innovation to the USM Haller modular system: hand-woven Danish paper cord.
Long associated with clarity, modular logic, and the cool precision of steel, USM has built its reputation on functional design and enduring simplicity. With Woven Structures, the brand shifts subtly but significantly. For the first time in its history, a craft-based technique enters the USM vocabulary, signalling a new openness to tactile, sensorial materials within its modular framework.
Henry Julier
The collection consists of ten home objects, ranging from side tables and stools to benches, containers, and small accessories. Each piece explores the interplay between the rigid geometry of metal and the soft irregularity of hand-woven cord. The resulting objects feel both familiar and entirely new – rooted in USM’S structural DNA while imbued with a warmth and texture that speaks of handcraft. Henry Julier, whose design practice bridges industrial systems and refined detailing, approached the Haller system with fresh eyes. With over a decade of experience as Director of Industrial Design at Brooklyn-based studio Standard Issue, Julier brought a nuanced understanding of materiality and a deep respect for function.
His work on Woven Structures is informed by both technical rigour and a sensitivity to how objects are experienced in daily life. Chosen for its strength, durability, and sustainability credentials, the Danish paper cord seamlessly integrates with USM’s chromed tubular structure. Selected pieces – including the WS Table, WS Stool, and WS Bench – can be further personalised with USM’s signature powder-coated panels in a wide range of colours, offering both versatility and character.
With Woven Structures, USM signals a new chapter in its design evolution – one that honours its heritage while expanding the possibilities of its system. It’s a bold yet thoughtful experiment in material fusion, inviting users to experience modularity through a fresh, more tactile lens.
