The office landscape has changed, and the design of the open-plan office needs to evolve to support this. Organisations are already investigating how they can make office spaces safer, effective, and efficient whist still adhering to government guidelines of social distancing.

One of the challenges that many organisations will have is how to ensure that their employees feel protected at their working desk or reception areas. Protective measures are essential so that employees feel safe and valued in these challenging times. Due to the spread of Covid-19, hygiene and protective measures must be treated with the highest priority. To protect employees and customers from mutual contact, devices are required that form a physical protective barrier against the transmission of bacteria and viruses through coughing, sneezing and human contact. In keeping with the elegant clean design of USM Haller modular furniture there are different solution orientated variants with which you can quickly upgrade existing reception desks and office desking.

USM Privacy Panels are also an ideal way of separating employees, structuring workplaces and defining work areas whilst optimising indoor acoustics. The panels are based on the modular matrix of USM Haller and come in two versions: freestanding room dividers or tabletop versions. Both forms are practical, fully configurable and can be altered and extended any time as required. Two half-panels of compacted polyester fleece fold onto the basic frame, a matrix of metal tubes, creating elements whose tubular structures can be slotted together as desired and reconfigured if necessary.

About USM

Launched on to the market in 1965 and designed in conjunction with renowned Swiss architect Fritz Haller the USM Haller system has become a watchword for timeless design all over the world. In 1988 it was decided in Germany for the first time ever that the USM Haller furniture system is a work of applied art and should be protected by copyright. Its acceptance into the Design Collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York (USA) at the end of 2001 was a high distinction and confirmed the artistic character of the product. The design classic is used in offices and public buildings as well as increasingly in the style conscious home.