∂ 2015 ¥ 4
15
tional economy and flexibility, a theme that began to interest him more intensely at this time. Not only were the spaces to be freely furnishable to comply with changing pedagogic concepts; they were also to be capable of adaptation and extension to meet future spatial needs. Of great consequence for Haller was his meeting with Paul Schärer Jr, who in 1961 took over the family metalware factory USM in Münsingen near Berne. At the ETH in Zurich, Schärer had not only studied mechanical engineering. He had also worked at an institute concerned with cybernetic models for the organization of working processes, and in particular the logistic optimization of factory buildings. Haller was interested in similar topics and especially the economization of the working world. Schärer entrusted him with the planning of his new company premises. Haller, who was at that time concerned with prefabricated steel structures, turned initially to a different material and made contact with the engineer Heinz Isler. Isler had created convincing factory halls enclosed within concrete shells, based on square grids and with natural light entering via perspex domes. Isler’s systems required elaborate formwork on site, however, and they could not be dismantled as a series of elements. For Schärer’s halls, therefore, Haller decided to develop his own steel construction system, which was given the name MAXI (ills. 11, 14). The MAXI steel unit-construction system was conceived for single-storey halls with large column spacings. It was flexible and allowed walls, windows, doors and other elements to be dismantled and adapted. It also complied with Haller’s concept of a “clean building site”, where the building worker becomes a fitter. In 1963, the first production hall was finished in Münsingen (ills. 15, 16). The validity of the concept is demonstrated by the fact that, up to the present day, these developments have been extended tenfold in accordance with Haller’s system logic. In fact, USM decided to manufacture MAXI themselves and market it as a serial product. Haller used MAXI for the Agathon factory in Bellach, the planning of which, begun in 1963, did not envisage a final 16
Diskussion
297
11
USM Haller Stahlbausystem MAXI Entwicklung ab 1961 (USM in Münsingen) 12 USM Haller Stahlbausystem MINI Entwicklung ab 1967 (Gastarbeiterhäuser in Mellingen) 13 USM Haller Stahlbausystem MIDI Entwicklung ab 1975 (Ausbildungszentrum Löwenberg bei Murten) 14 USM Haller Stahlbausystem MAXI 15, 16 Betriebsanlage USM Münsigen Stahlbausystem MAXI, vier Bauabschnitte, Architekt: Fritz Haller
11
Hubertus Adam ist freiberuflicher Kunst- und Architekturhistoriker sowie Architekturkritiker. Seit 2012 ist er gesamtverantwortlicher Direktor des S AM Schweizerisches Architekturmuseum Basel.
Hubertus Adam is a freelance historian of art and architecture and an architectural critic. Since 2012, he has been director of the Swiss Architecture Museum (S AM) in Basle with overall responsibility.
USM Haller: MAXI steel construction system; eveloped from 1961 (USM in Münsingen) d 12 USM Haller: MINI steel construction system; developed from 1967 (dwellings for foreign workers in Mellingen) 13 USM Haller: MIDI steel construction system; developed from 1975 (Löwenberg training centre near Murten) 14 USM Haller: MAXI steel construction system 15, 16 USM plant, Münsingen; MAXI steel construction system: four stages of construction; architect: Fritz Haller