Swiss modular furniture manufacturer USM and designer Armando Cabral have launched the NKYINKYIM A CASA collection, the second chapter of their collaborative partnership following its debut in 2025. Inspired by the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol Nkyinkyim, which represents transformation, growth and non-linear progress, the collection explores how furniture design can preserve cultural identity while adapting to contemporary living.
Drawing on Cabral’s personal journey across Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, London and New York, the eight-piece collection reimagines the home as an evolving space shaped by gathering, ritual and storytelling. Consequently, the project combines USM’s modular design philosophy with references to Portuguese craftsmanship and African cultural symbolism.
Portuguese textiles bring warmth to the USM Haller system
The collection introduces a softer, more tactile expression to the iconic USM Haller modular system by incorporating traditional Portuguese textiles. To achieve this, Armando Cabral collaborated with heritage textile mill Fabricaal, which produced custom wool fabrics inspired by the rich colours and centuries-old weaving traditions of Portugal’s Alentejo region.
As a result, the collection balances Swiss engineering with artisanal craftsmanship, creating furniture that blends industrial precision with handcrafted materiality.
Eight-piece collection combines modular flexibility with residential comfort
The NKYINKYIM A CASA collection includes a range of seating, storage and display pieces designed to adapt to changing lifestyles. Highlights include the Bassarel love chair, created to encourage shared seating, and the sculptural Lily daybed, conceived as a focal point for contemporary living spaces.
Furthermore, the collection features the Manjak and Manjak Mini chairs alongside the Banu credenza, Arkad side table, Uno bookcase and the sculptural Nkyinkyim bookshelf. Each piece embraces modular versatility, allowing interiors to evolve alongside their users while maintaining USM’s signature adaptability.
The collection made its debut in Lisbon at MAAT Central’s Sala dos Geradores before travelling to New York City for its international presentation. NKYINKYIM A CASA is currently on view at the USM flagship showroom in SoHo, where it highlights the intersection of modular furniture design, cultural heritage and contemporary craftsmanship.