Founded in 1971, Heller was established with a vision to redefine the boundaries of contemporary design.
The Connecticut based firm is renowned for producing iconic pieces that seamlessly blend functionality with artistic expression, while prioritizing eco-conscious manufacturing practices.
With a legacy spanning decades, Heller’s designs are visually impressive, incorporating playful, bold colors across dinnerware sets, home accessories and furniture collections, whilst remaining totally functional.
And their striking style has not gone unnoticed. Heller pieces are incorporated by leading architects into museums, offices, restaurants and homes around the world.
Examples of Heller’s furniture and houseware are exhibited in museums including the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Vitra Design Museum.
Given their standing in the world of art and design, it was an honor to hear that Heller’s Chief Operating Officer, Andrew McPhee, had deemed Marly planters worthy of taking up residence in their head office.
We caught up with Andrew to hear more about why he opted for Marly to take care of Heller’s plants.
Hi Andrew! Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to us today. Before we jump into the iconic designs, we wanted to talk sustainability. Your company has a unique approach to eco-friendly manufacturing. Can you tell us a little more about that?
Sure. At Heller, we believe that it is all of our duties to do what we can to save the planet. In this spirit we have attempted to create a closed circle recycling program to execute our portion of the mission, effectively and authentically as possible.
The more we researched “recycled” materials , the more we became distrustful of the benefits to our planet. Just because people recycle, doesn’t mean they don’t cause harm to the planet during the process. Chemically enhanced recycling causes us concerns. The process is murky and relatively unchecked.
We want to make a full circle program that not only breeds longevity but active reuse.
Most recyclable products don’t even get recycled. Even people who make the effort only get 10 to 15% of their waste recycled. The system is broken, or basically has never worked.
We can change that. Heller will take our product back for the lifecycle of the product. We will then grind it into a powder, not using any chemical enhancement, and make fresh products using every last spec.
The Heller sustainability program is the first of its kind and will eliminate any mysteries in the chain.
How important is the relationship between human manufacturing and the natural world for Heller?
Our list of exceptionally talented designers have always been heavily influenced by the natural world around them.
The furniture we carry, created by the likes of Frank Gehry and Lella and Massimo Vignelli, can be used in all weathers, and their beautiful forms are an invitation to people to spend more time outdoors.
Throughout his career, Philippe Starck has focused on solutions that respect the future of both humans and nature. His work in technology, such as smart thermostats and wind turbines, showcases his dedication to democratic ecology.
Anna Dawson’s work celebrates the serendipity of life, chasing the elusive, yet rewarding feeling of being in harmony with the natural world.
Dawson’s ‘Swell’ is an inspiring piece that solves a problem using modern design. Shaped like waves in the ocean, the undulating curves cradle your coat and protect your keys. ‘Swell’ takes an everyday item and intertwines it with nature.
More broadly, our products are built from recyclable materials and are designed to last a lifetime.
It was amazing to have you inquire about Marly planters for use in the Heller offices and to think that a creation of ours would be sharing a space with such iconic designs. What was it that drew you to Marly?
Well, I’m green thumbed, semi-experienced with gardening, but still learning. I thought that Marly would be a great solution for our office as it solves a lot of plant care headaches, is easy to use, and looks great!
As you can see from our photos, the ability to stack Marly has really allowed us to utilize the small nook we had reserved for foliage. It looks perfect alongside our stackable green dinnerware collection.
Plus, I'm always looking to support independent brands in the gardening industry.
It’s awesome to see how seamlessly Marly fits into your office! How have your planters benefited your plants and your space?
Our planters have been an excellent addition to the office.
We’ve had them for a few months now and they are certainly helping to keep our plants alive!
The added greenery and air cleansing properties have also been hugely beneficial for our team.
So great to hear that you’re feeling the positive effects of healthy plants in your space!
Thank you for creating a product that allows us to do so!
At Heller, we think of furniture as something more than everyday objects and we love when other companies do the same, especially when they create something as beautiful and functional as Marly.
We appreciate you chatting with us Andrew, and we look forward to you building on Heller’s office garden further!
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A big thank you to Andrew for speaking with us about his brand and his experience with Marly.
You can find a full range of Heller’s iconic designs and products for sale on their website.
Shop the Marly planter collection, including the stackable ‘Pair Bundle’, as chosen by Andrew for the Heller offices, here.