Project Overview

Jack is a bluetooth speaker individually hand crafted from concrete and wood, giving it a unique combination of raw individuality and increased sound quality.

Organisation

ANAESTHETIC

Project Brief

At first the design appears simple and subtle, but upon closer inspection reveals a highly technical construction method: A complete rethink of the moulding process adopting modern materials, allows a single part line hidden from view underneath the cylinder. This gives the face and top of the cylinder a seamless transition between surfaces, while also allowing a slight taper to the rear. A cutout section has been designed into the cylinder to house the crossbar, which pierces the concrete, slightly lifting the speaker to project the sound outward. This crossbar also acts as a sound dampener to reduce vibration.

The speaker housing is made of concrete which has been hand mixed and hand cast, ensuring the unique varied characteristics of the material, while the crossbar is made from turned hardwood.

Project Innovation/Need

Jack is created from traditional materials that are brought together using modern manufacturing techniques. And offers a unique product that is unseen in the current marketplace.

Design Challenge

The challenge for the product was working with such different materials that what speakers are traditionally made of. Creating something that was still lightweight but rigid enough was a huge challenge.

An exclusive concrete formula was been produced over several months of development, which boasts a compressive strength that is more than 10x that of standard concrete. This mix is specifically designed to achieve high strength with reduced weight while ensuring the fine details of each piece.

Sustainability

The solid nature of the finished product ensures that it can be used for generation after generation and the minimal aesthetic means it will not go out of trend.