606 Universal Shelving System

™
606 Universal Shelving System™
The power of good design
In the man-made world, everything
has been designed. Everything.
Somewhere, somehow, the idea has
taken hold that only certain objects
have been ‘designed’. At Vitsœ we
stand for the inordinate power of
good design in everything we do:
designing thoughtfully, responsibly
and intelligently for our company,
our furniture and the many people
who share a profound interest in all
of our tomorrows.
For over 50 years,
Vitsœ’s furniture
has been designed
by Dieter Rams.
Today he continues
to oversee his
brainchild, working
closely with Vitsœ’s
managing director,
Mark Adams, as the
furniture is evolved
and new markets
are developed.
Vitsœ was founded back in 1959
with the simple, common-sense
notion of designing down-to-earth
furniture that could be used for as
long as possible.
The idea was that discreet,
adaptable and faithful furniture
would encourage customers to
start by buying a small amount
and then adding to it as their
lives developed.
Today that company is increasingly
seen as an exemplar and has
been used as a subject in recent
case studies for good design,
innovation, customer service,
and sustainability.
Which is reassuring because
Vitsœ continues to deploy an
unfashionable business tool:
common sense.
Better still, those customers
would take it with them when they
moved, rearranging it as necessary.
Before long it was clear that
customers’ evident satisfaction
was derived from their ability to
live better, with less, that was
lasting longer.
vitsoe.com/when
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606 Universal Shelving System
Designed by Dieter Rams in 1960,
the 606 Universal Shelving System
was conceived to be timeless. You
can add a single shelf to a system
bought decades ago and take it
with you when you move.
Narrow bay
Wide bay
66.7cm (26¼")
91.2cm (35 7 8")
At the core of the shelving system
is the aluminium E-Track that can
be attached directly to the wall.
Shelves, cabinets and tables are
hung from the E-Track – using no
tools – by simply slipping the
notched aluminium pins into place.
The interchangeability of the
components encourages either
day-to-day rearrangements or
complete reconfigurations.
See how the
system works at
vitsoe.com/how
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Wall mounted
You can attach E-Tracks directly
to your wall in any combination
of the two bays, shown above.
The system can be attached to
almost all types of wall. Please
ask us for advice.
Semi-wall mounted
If your wall is obstructed or slightly
uneven, the E-Track may be
attached to an X-Post and stood
in front of the wall, held upright
by adjustable wall brackets.
Compressed
If you have no wall nearby, the
E-Track may be attached to one
or both sides of the X-Post and
compressed between the floor
and ceiling. We can give you
advice regarding acceptable
ceiling heights, loadings etc.
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Five reasons
Over the years there is one comment
we have heard more than any other
from our customers: “I wish I had
bought from you sooner.” As we do
not like regret, we give you the first
of five reasons not to suffer.
An ingenious kit of parts
While “kit” and “parts” need
not get any of us excited, there
are virtues to behaving like
Meccano or Lego. As you will
remember, you were able to
create all manner of inventions
from whichever set of building
blocks that took your fancy.
Now, as a grown-up, you can
arm yourself with tracks, shelves,
cabinets and tables to solve
different problems in your kitchen,
study or library – using the same
parts. And because of this
adaptability, you will never leave
Vitsœ behind when you move.
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Looking handsome in
the handsome city of
New York.
“I still can’t quite get my head
round how something can
travel 3470 miles, from
your warehouse in London
to my apartment in New York,
in such a short time!
Marvelous! Thanks so much.”
From a graphic designer who took his shelves to New York.
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Reason two
Start small
How often have you bought
something with that slight nag that
either the product or the company
will not be around in a few years?
Vitsœ – and our shelves – have
been around for over 50 years.
We do one thing and we try to
do it well.
So, you do not need to raid the
bank on day one. Start by buying
only what you feel comfortable to
buy. Whether you need one more
shelf in 20 years’ time, or to
double your system next year,
we will be here for you. Just order
less now.
Built by the
Huguenots of 1783
to receive the
tender loving care
of new owners in
21st-century south
London. Charming.
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Learn more about
the shelves at
vitsoe.com/how
Short on space?
Even a staircase
can be used
despite the change
in depth of this
wall. Solution.
The simple trick
of separating
the wall-mounted
E-Tracks allows
both the cabinets
(behind the table)
and the shelves
to float.
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“A flawless product matched by flawless
services. What more can I say?”
From the senior partner of a large architectural practice.
A shelving system is
not only for books.
Whether you need
to sculpt your hair,
pamper your skin or
clothe your body,
here are some ways
to achieve it.
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Reason three
Built to last
Most of the furniture we have ever
made is still in use. How do we
know? Because we see it at our
loyal customers’ homes and
offices time and again.
Sure, on day one you might be
able to spend less money than at
Vitsœ. But once you realise that
our shelving system is genuinely
built to last you quickly appreciate
that it might be considered…
er…cheap.
A customer who
has been buying
from Vitsœ for
some time. Note
the 25-year-old
beech cabinet next
to the new
integrated table
with Braun’s 1962
RT 20 radio. Tracks
of varying length
accommodate the
awkward space.
Wiring tucked
under the table.
Look carefully and
you will see the
wall-mounted
system become
a compressed
system. Clever.
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The undisputed
harmony of
modest parental
architecture that
led to Pompidou
in Paris, Lloyd’s
in London…
and beyond.
“I have been raving
about the Vitsœ
service and product
to anyone who will
listen. I have always
been a little fanatical
about service quality
and have never come
across a firm that
is so joined up on
service from the
website to the
consulting and
drawings through
to the delivery
and installation.”
From a director of investor relations.
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Drawers on tracks
on a wall. Bedroom,
living room or
office sideboard?
It’s hard to tell.
“Very well packaged
and the spirit levels
are a lovely touch –
bordering on genius.”
From a curious web developer.
See the cabinets
in action at
vitsoe.com/how
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Reason four
A design classic
“Design classic” and the adjective
“designer” are over-used. But our
shelving system is the work of
Dieter Rams. He was head of
design at Braun from 1961 to 1995
and many of his team’s products
have found their way into the
collections of the world’s finest
museums.
Today he is often cited as the
man who created a gentler world –
a world to which many people
now aspire. We are proud of
him and his work – and we are
delighted that many respected
commentators regard our
self-effacing shelving system
as a design classic.
Occasionally a
design classic
has to make an
appearance in a
museum – here
at London’s Design
Museum for an
exhibition of Dieter
Rams’s work.
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A long-living
academic
institution uses
furniture that can
be added to and
rearranged at any
point in the future.
Obviously.
“The service you provided was
exceptional – very easy to use
and all went according to time,
budget and specification!”
From a busy architectural team leader.
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Reason five
“Our happiest customers are
those who have dealt with
Vitsœ the longest.”
So said Niels Vitsœ (1913-1995).
He was a charming man whose
modesty was only equalled by that
of his furniture. But he knew that
his furniture was nothing unless
it was supported by outstanding
service from intelligent,
sympathetic human beings.
Today, in a world that too often
forgets about old-fashioned
service, we remember the virtues
of “please” and “thank you”.
We genuinely enjoy dealing with
our customers whether by email,
phone or face-to-face in our shops.
We offer a lifetime of support.
Whether older
house or newer,
your shelves are
equally at home.
Here the DVDs
allow bed-time
cinema while the
clothes hide in the
drawers. Orderly.
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“I wish every company I dealt
with was as professional as Vitsœ.
From the moment I first discussed
the system with you through to
the installation it has been simple,
efficient, hassle-free and very
professional.”
From experts on branding and packaging.
Believe it or not,
this is a bed-head.
The bed is to the
left behind the
shelves. But the
laptop can perch
on this side.
Multi-functional.
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While we feel a
duty to remind you
that you can buy
your first system
from Vitsœ for
surprisingly little
money, we have
to be realistic and
understand that
we all dream.
Aspirational.
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Shops in London, New York,
Tokyo and at vitsoe.com
New York
Although our founder, Niels Vitsœ,
died just as the internet was
starting to take shape he would
not be surprised to see that
investment in both physical shops
and the web is now taking Vitsœ
around the world.
If you cannot visit us in London,
New York or Tokyo, you can visit
us at vitsoe.com and still deal
personally with any one of our
affable planners in whichever
time-zone suits you.
Niels Vitsœ would recognise that
we still insist on human beings
planning your shelving system
with you, even though online
drawings can be refreshed in real
time and you can pay, securely,
online for rapid dispatch. Oldfashioned courtesy and modern
technology in harmony: precisely
as he would have wished.
To work with one of
our planners, go to
vitsoe.com/start
London
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Making it…
Each cabinet is
meticulously built
by highly-skilled
cabinet-makers.
The aluminium
structure is
prepared
individually for
each order.
For more than 50 years Vitsœ has
been making furniture – learning,
improving and evolving so that
our customers, suppliers and
employees can reap the benefits.
We employ only the most talented
people we can find because
we know that genuine care and
attention-to-detail are appreciated
by our customers around the
world. In addition, we have
worked for decades with
world-class suppliers in a spirit
of genuine, mutually beneficial,
partnership.
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We use the best quality materials
and always take decisions that will
benefit everyone for the long term.
“Good enough” is not a phrase
heard above the whirr of drills
and chatter of screwdrivers in
our workshop.
We add together the cost of
people, suppliers and materials
and charge our customers a price
that allows Vitsœ to invest its
modest profits for the long-term
good of all concerned.
All high-value
aluminium
components are
transported in
wooden stillages
designed and built
by Vitsœ. Some are
15 years old and
still going strong.
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As the system evolves, some details may differ from those shown/described
Aluminium tray
For use in double
shelves, desk
shelves and cabinets
with doors. On
surfaces, too. With a
finger hole to lift out
your papers.
Double shelf
To contain your
aluminium trays
and/or extend your
work-surface.
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Narrow bay
Wide bay
66.7cm (26¼")
91.2cm (35 7 8")
Metal shelf:
flipped
Flipping a shelf
creates uninterrupted
surfaces whilst
keeping big
books upright.
Shelf with
hanging rail
For the wardrobe, the
hall, the office or the
shop (for clothes,
fabric samples, etc).
Metal shelf
Ideal for your
vinyl collection.
Cabinet:
three drawers
Stationery, odds ‘n’
ends – even your
smalls. Add drawer
dividers and a pencil
tray – or two.
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accessories
Sloping shelf 18°
For display of books
and magazines but
often used for
shoes, too. Create
an entire wardrobe.
Metal shelf: rotated
The simple act of
rotating a shelf to
become vertical
gives you a pinboard
for your magnets.
Choose any one of
the four shelf depths.
E-Track
Various lengths.
Screwed directly to
the wall. Download
our planning guide
from vitsoe.com/how
to see every
component.
Bookend
Non-tip, available
in two heights with
non-slip base to
keep everything
in place.
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Desk shelf
Complete with two
different depth
sur­faces. It may be
used either way up
– here for your
typewriter or laptop.
Other way up for
monitor and keyboard.
Metal shelf
Four depths for
your paperbacks,
CDs, art books,
and much more.
E-Track, X-Post,
wall bracket
See vitsoe.com/how
for detailed explanations
of structures and
to download our
much-admired
planning guide.
Cabinet:
up-and-over door
Ideal for higher level
storage. Optional
perforated back for
wiring and ventilation.
Internal shelves and
aluminium trays
available.
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accessories
Cabinet:
fold-down door
For hiding what needs
to be hidden. Optional
perforated back for
wiring and ventilation.
Internal shelves and
aluminium trays
available. Lockable.
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accessories
Mounting panel
A simple wooden
panel to which
you can attach
your screen.
Cabinet:
two drawers
Capacious drawers
especially good for
clothes and larger
office items. Drawer
dividers available for
CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray
and similar.
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accessories
Integrated table
Shallower for you to
sit face-on; deeper
to sit side-on.
Metal shelf
A discreet home
for your printer.
Sloping shelf 79°
For near-upright
display of
large-format books
and magazines.
Use magnets to hold
drawings in place.
Cabinet:
one drawer
For suspension files
(any format), bottles,
toys etc. Also
available with lock.
Shelf with drawer
Put a drawer where
you need it. Add
drawer dividers
and a pencil tray.
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accessories
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Colours
Thank you
Marta Narbona
Toby Clark
Stefan Beckman
Pace Kaminsky
Lars Nittve
Shideh Shaygan
Chad Wollen
Siân Davies
Andrew Collinge
Hairdressing
Cowshed
Alistair & Odette Moncur
Dada Rogers
Off-white
Black
Sophocles Maraveyas
Silver
Design Museum, London
University of Cambridge
Faculty of Divinity
Jan Kaplicky
Off-white
Black
Monika Hary
Michael Haberbosch
Silver
Stuart & Maya Brisley
Leigh & Brian Message
Aloha Rag
Beech and off-white
Beech and black
Beech and silver
Words
Mark Adams
Thank you to our
customers for the
generosity of their
quoted comments
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Photography
Illustration
Ken Kirkwood, except
Airside (pp38,39)
Tommy Dobrzynski (opp pp1,7,14,35)
Anne Brassier (p1)
Ake Eson Lindman (p8)
Jo Henderson (pp15,35 bottom)
Luke Hayes (p23)
Philip Lauterbach (p28)
Geof Howe (pp36,37)
Design
Thomas Manss & Company
Printed in the United Kingdom
© Vitsœ 2010
All rights reserved
Vitsœ is a registered trademark
vitsoe.com
CB062010
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