Armando Cabral Reinterprets USM with Cross-Cultural Designs
A collection blending Portuguese weaving traditions with contemporary modular furniture.
1A Fresh Take on Cross-Cultural Design
Armando Cabral adapts weaving patterns from Portugal's Alentejo region to USM's modular furniture, merging traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The NKYINKYIM A CASA collection offers a new medium for personal and collective cultural expression through functional design.
2A Multifaceted Designer's Vision
Born in Guinea-Bissau, raised in Portugal, and based in New York, Cabral creates a design language informed by diverse cultures. Inspired by Adinkra symbols, the collection reflects themes of progress and unity. The 'A Casa' (At Home) concept reimagines domestic spaces with cultural narratives.
3Reimagining the USM Haller System
Cabral transforms Swiss-made USM's utilitarian modular system with bold colors and asymmetrical compositions. Pieces like the Uno Bookcase, with its steel-tube structure, introduce geometric symbolism, challenging conventional furniture aesthetics while expanding functionality.
4Designs That Spark Conversation
The Bassarel Love Chair's face-to-face seating arrangement encourages intimate dialogue. The collection balances practicality with playful sophistication, proving furniture can be both functional and a catalyst for social interaction through thoughtful design.
5Modularity Meets Harmony
Cabral's designs seamlessly integrate with other USM components, offering customizable solutions for modern living. Colored insert panels contrast with the system's inherent neutrality, allowing users to personalize spaces while maintaining modular flexibility.
6Furniture as Cultural Storytelling
This collection demonstrates how furniture can transcend utility to facilitate cultural dialogue. Shaped by Cabral's multicultural background, each piece turns homes into spaces of narrative and connection, setting an inspiring precedent for culturally rooted contemporary design.