Studio M3’s “USM Haller Re-Framed” exhibition invited 10 Norwegian designers to reinvent vintage 1980s USM Haller frames using repurposed and surplus materials. Originally part of filing cabinets from the Kredittkassen Bank HQ in Oslo, the frames became the starting point for functional seating units.
The project emphasised how combining local design, craft, and material reuse can add economic, aesthetic, and social value. By promoting circular design practices, the exhibition showcased sustainable creation while supporting local value generation.
Unique interpretations by designers
Each designer approached the challenge differently. Kjetil Smedal created a vinyl record player station using yellow floor tiles and wooden slabs for seating and storage. Lloyd Achim Winter transformed a bench into a rusted metal planter, inviting visitors to sit among overgrown grass. Meanwhile, Bård Arnesen incorporated bold Norwegian textiles, giving his frame a culturally rooted, traditional aesthetic.
These diverse creations demonstrated how repurposed materials could inspire both functional and artistic outcomes while encouraging innovative thinking in design.
Responding to broader trends
The exhibition was part of Designer Saturday 2025, which centred on the theme “Repurpose.” As economic pressures and social challenges grow, designers are increasingly called to adopt resourceful approaches, including material reuse and community-based sourcing.
Heidi Lie, CEO of Designers’ Saturday, said, “There are many reasons why we can no longer continue with the same consumption patterns as before. We live in an uncertain world marked by environmental disasters, social unrest, and economic crises. Many can no longer afford to buy as they once did, and authorities are demanding new solutions.”
Through “USM Haller Re-Framed,” Studio M3 highlighted how sustainable, locally rooted design can address global challenges while inspiring creativity and collaboration.