Combining Sound and Art

Aussie designer Tom Fereday has collaborated with audio brand Pitt & Giblin to create the Cast speaker, clad almost entirely in marine-grade aluminium, designed to be a part of the room and not hidden away.

The speaker’s statuesque form and considerable height of 87 centimetres mean that rather than being concealed and prioritised for its function, it can act as a sculptural object in its own right.

GALLERY  

“The sculptural pieces function as both single or paired loudspeakers offering an audio piece that can work in many environments and be celebrated not hidden in the home,” the designer said.

The pared-back material palette that sets it apart from other audio equipment on the market, according to Fereday. “Often speakers present multiple materials and finishes,” he explained. “With Cast, we wanted to present a mono-material approach to offer both quality and sophistication.”

Save for the integrated amp on the back, the speaker is completely wrapped in marine-grade aluminium, chosen in part for its acoustic and sound-enhancing properties.

The material is also less susceptible to oxidisation and degradation over time than lower-grade aluminium, resulting in a piece that Fereday said will age gracefully.

“We opted for a hand-finished and waxed surface, leaving the material as natural and raw as possible to contrast the normal perception of a speaker,” he explained. “The result was an artisanal appearance designed to last a lifetime.”

As a result, the front of the speaker has a seamless, cohesive appearance punctuated only by a small hole at the centre of the waveguide.

“The circular waveguide is both the acoustic and visual centre of the piece,” Pitt & Giblin said. “The refined form promotes consistent coverage across the room due to its shape playing lower frequencies than a standard tweeter with more of the sound spectrum emitted from this geometry resulting in a smooth and non-fatiguing sound.”

A control panel is hidden at the rear of the speaker base while the cubic head houses a 10-inch subwoofer, ensuring that the piece remains functional despite its sleek design.

Additionally, a peripheral aperture vents four concealed front facing midrange speakers behind the waveguide, and the rear facing bass-reflex ports at the back allowing for a visually seamless form.






Get our enews

Design and development news that comes to you

Subscribe
                 


Green Roofs

Atlantis Aurora are green roof and rooftop garden specialists. With 40 year of experience of creating living roofs ...

Vertical Gardens

Sustainability solutions are at the heart of Atlantis Aurora’s practice and they strive to creatively connect urban life, ...

Heritage Meets Street Culture: Shelflife Store Transformation

Shelflife, a pioneer in streetwear since 2006, has redefined the art of brand storytelling, partnering with TDC&Co to ...

A New Chapter for Armstrong Creek Library

The Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library, designed by Buchan, is a 2,500-square-metre civic landmark that captures the spirit of ...

Power and Precision

Of sleek, minimalist design, a Miele induction cooktop will undoubtedly elevate the aesthetics in any kitchen. While appearances ...

  MORE  

Stay connected to the SPEC

Join our reader network by signing up to our weekly newsletter and receive design and development news straight to your inbox





Specifier Source is brought to you by the same company that publishes Home Design, Grand Designs Australia Magazine, Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly Magazine, Outdoor Design Source, Build Home, CompleteHome and many more.

© 2022 Universal Media Co. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Universal Media Co.