Company History

The original Nello Wall system, designed in 1973 by Frank Gehry for Rouse headquarters, is still in use today.

Nello Wall Systems was founded by Sam Manganello in 1973, during the construction of the Rouse Company headquarters in the planned community of Columbia, Maryland. To design the building, community developer Jim Rouse commissioned architect Frank Gehry of Gehry Partners, LLP, Los Angeles, California. Together, Rouse and Gehry envisioned an office building that could change with the needs of a growing organization, such that the entire office could be reconfigured with minimal disruption, time and cost.

To achieve this goal, Tate Access Floors were used to distribute power, computer, and phone cables. Gehry designed an innovative stackable movable wall system and Nello Wall Systems was hired as the manufacturer. To meet the diverse needs of a reception workstation, cubicle work stations, managers’ offices, and executive offices, Nello developed stacking fabric and glass panel modules which could be interchanged to reach the desired workspace height and level of privacy.

As proof of its high sustainability, the basic concept of this initial design has been preserved and remains in use today at the original Rouse headquarters building. These products have since evolved into the current movable wall systems furniture line offered by Nello.