Vision
Heller has created a simple paradigm: good design, industrial production and reasonable prices.
A brief history
Heller is an international furniture manufacturer with production in the US and Europe. Incorporated in 1971, Heller's first product was a line of stacking dinnerware designed by Massimo Vignelli. Winner of a Compasso d'Oro award in Italy, it is included in the Museum of Modern Art permanent design collection, New York.
Heller launched its furniture division in 1998. The Bellini Chair (1998), designed by Mario Bellini, won the Compasso d'Oro ADI 2001. More chairs have followed: The UltraBellini Chair (2006), the MB 1, MB 2 and MB 5 (2003), and Tavollini (1999), all by Mario Bellini; the new Arco (2006) by Mario Bellini and Claudio Bellini; Calla (2002) by Willliam Sawaya; Selene (1969/2002 reissue) by Vico Magistretti; Joe (1970/2003 reissue) by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi; The Frank Gehry Furniture Collection (2004) by Frank Gehry; The Vignelli Chair (2004) by Lella and Massimo Vignelli; Kiss (2004) by Studio 65; Bocca (1971/2004 reissue) by Studio 65; Capitello (1971/2004 reissue) by Studio 65; UltraCube (2006) by Frank Gehry; and The New Gaudi (2007) by Vico Magistretti.
Designers
For about 35 years, Heller has offered leading designers the opportunity to work with new technologies to create innovative products. Heller has worked with leading international designers: Massimo & Lella Vignelli, Philippe Starck, Mario Bellini, Vico Magistretti, William Sawaya, De Pas, D'Urbino & Lomazzi, Frank Gehry, and Studio 65.
Museums
Heller products are in design collections worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Smithsonian, the Louvre Museum of Decorative Arts, Vitra Museum, the Pinakothek in Munich, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Awards
Compasso d'Oro, Italy; I.D. Annual Design Distinction for Furniture; Industrial Design Excellence Award, Industrial Designers Society of America; International Design Yearbook; International Contemporary Furniture Fair Award for Best Seating; Good Design Award, The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, IF Design 2004, Red Dot 2004, ICFF Best Outdoor Furniture, and Best of NeoCon 2004.
Future
Heller is constantly exploring new technologies and processes for manufacturing furniture.
DINNERWARE
The ‘Max 1’ collection of stacking, interlocking dinnerware which populated TV trays, patios and picnic blankets across America form the 1960’s to the mid 80’s invokes fond memories for many. Originally designed in 1964 then put into large scale production by Heller Inc in 1971, the MAX 1 saw an addition to its family with ‘Max 2’ collection of mugs in 1972.
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d’Oro Design award the original rainbow selection has been reissued by popular demand in white, a classic color for what has now become and American Classic itself. Destined to become museum pieces the Max Dinnerware can be found in the permanent design collection of The Museum of Modern Art. This is a testimony to the impeccable design capabilities of the Vignelli’’s.
Originally designed with an opening to follow the shape of the handle there is a charming story about the evolution of the mug. In the words of Massimo himself;
“In Europe coffee cups are filled halfway, but in the United States they are filled to the top. Here is the Problem: the coffee finds the opening at the top and drips down the handle, down to the saucer and onto the table. What a shame! It could have been enough to merely pour less coffee, but everyone asked us to close the opening, so the design was modified: I was furious!”
The dinner plate, salad plate and bowl are produced from melamine and the mug from polycarbonate. They are both dishwasher safe additionally the mug can be placed in the microwave. For now the dinnerware is available in white only.
Heller has created a simple paradigm: good design, industrial production and reasonable prices.
A brief history
Heller is an international furniture manufacturer with production in the US and Europe. Incorporated in 1971, Heller's first product was a line of stacking dinnerware designed by Massimo Vignelli. Winner of a Compasso d'Oro award in Italy, it is included in the Museum of Modern Art permanent design collection, New York.
Heller launched its furniture division in 1998. The Bellini Chair (1998), designed by Mario Bellini, won the Compasso d'Oro ADI 2001. More chairs have followed: The UltraBellini Chair (2006), the MB 1, MB 2 and MB 5 (2003), and Tavollini (1999), all by Mario Bellini; the new Arco (2006) by Mario Bellini and Claudio Bellini; Calla (2002) by Willliam Sawaya; Selene (1969/2002 reissue) by Vico Magistretti; Joe (1970/2003 reissue) by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi; The Frank Gehry Furniture Collection (2004) by Frank Gehry; The Vignelli Chair (2004) by Lella and Massimo Vignelli; Kiss (2004) by Studio 65; Bocca (1971/2004 reissue) by Studio 65; Capitello (1971/2004 reissue) by Studio 65; UltraCube (2006) by Frank Gehry; and The New Gaudi (2007) by Vico Magistretti.
Designers
For about 35 years, Heller has offered leading designers the opportunity to work with new technologies to create innovative products. Heller has worked with leading international designers: Massimo & Lella Vignelli, Philippe Starck, Mario Bellini, Vico Magistretti, William Sawaya, De Pas, D'Urbino & Lomazzi, Frank Gehry, and Studio 65.
Museums
Heller products are in design collections worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Smithsonian, the Louvre Museum of Decorative Arts, Vitra Museum, the Pinakothek in Munich, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Awards
Compasso d'Oro, Italy; I.D. Annual Design Distinction for Furniture; Industrial Design Excellence Award, Industrial Designers Society of America; International Design Yearbook; International Contemporary Furniture Fair Award for Best Seating; Good Design Award, The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, IF Design 2004, Red Dot 2004, ICFF Best Outdoor Furniture, and Best of NeoCon 2004.
Future
Heller is constantly exploring new technologies and processes for manufacturing furniture.
DINNERWARE
The ‘Max 1’ collection of stacking, interlocking dinnerware which populated TV trays, patios and picnic blankets across America form the 1960’s to the mid 80’s invokes fond memories for many. Originally designed in 1964 then put into large scale production by Heller Inc in 1971, the MAX 1 saw an addition to its family with ‘Max 2’ collection of mugs in 1972.
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d’Oro Design award the original rainbow selection has been reissued by popular demand in white, a classic color for what has now become and American Classic itself. Destined to become museum pieces the Max Dinnerware can be found in the permanent design collection of The Museum of Modern Art. This is a testimony to the impeccable design capabilities of the Vignelli’’s.
Originally designed with an opening to follow the shape of the handle there is a charming story about the evolution of the mug. In the words of Massimo himself;
“In Europe coffee cups are filled halfway, but in the United States they are filled to the top. Here is the Problem: the coffee finds the opening at the top and drips down the handle, down to the saucer and onto the table. What a shame! It could have been enough to merely pour less coffee, but everyone asked us to close the opening, so the design was modified: I was furious!”
The dinner plate, salad plate and bowl are produced from melamine and the mug from polycarbonate. They are both dishwasher safe additionally the mug can be placed in the microwave. For now the dinnerware is available in white only.
