Tom Fereday unveils metal speaker designed to be "celebrated not hidden"
Australian designer Tom Fereday has collaborated with Tasmanian audio brand Pitt & Giblin to create the Cast speaker, clad almost entirely in marine-grade aluminium.
The speaker, shortlisted in the consumer product design category of Dezeen Awards 2024, features a 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 told Dezeen. "With Cast, we wanted to present a mono-material approach to offer both quality and sophistication."
Save for the control panel 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," Fereday said. "The shape is highly refined and promotes consistent coverage across the room due to its shape, which results in a smooth and non-fatiguing sound."
"The waveguide form is a functional element and the geometry informs the rest of the piece," he added.
Cast's gently curving cone and rounded triangular base create an interplay of light and shadow, born from aluminium's ability to be easily cast into complex shapes.
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.
"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.
A control panel is hidden at the rear of the speaker while the cubic head houses a 10-inch subwoofer, ensuring that the piece remains functional despite its sleek design.
Other metallic works by Fereday that have been published on Dezeen include a chair designed in reference to old seating found in factories and a seat made from recycled aluminium that has mirror-polished sides.
The photography is by Pier Carthew.
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