30 March 2017

Sound Architects

Italian brand Architettura Sonora creates outdoor speakers disguised as elegant sculptures made from stone, marble, or high-tech materials, blending sound and aesthetics for stylish, unobtrusive listening experiences.

Listening to music outdoors often means having to find a compromise between what is technically possible and what is visually acceptable. More or less unattractive speakers need to be installed, hidden, and camouflaged in such a way that they create the desired soundscape without disturbing the sense of aesthetics too much. But it doesn’t have to be this way, according to the Italian manufacturer Architettura Sonora, which offers sounding sculptures made of concrete, marble, or high-tech materials that, even on a second glance, don’t look like speakers. You can hide the speakers from Architettura Sonora (AS), but you really don’t have to.

Made in Tuscany

A few kilometers outside of Florence, in the picturesque surroundings of Tuscany, truly unusual speakers are created at Architettura Sonora. While the flowing forms of the sound sculptures intended for indoor use are mostly made from a special composite material, the designers primarily rely on the durable natural material stone for outdoor use. Since all speakers are crafted by experienced artisans in-house, there is a wide range of variations to choose from—starting with concrete, terracotta, and several types of marble. Even more unusual requests can be fulfilled: if the speaker isn’t exposed to harsh weather, materials like wood or leather can also be used for the surface.

There’s also a video about the production in Tuscany available from Architettura Sonora on Vimeo.

Form and Function

A minimalist speaker in a modern garden with palm trees and a clear pool, blending design with nature. — A minimalist speaker in a modern garden, surrounded by palm trees and a clear pool. Perfect integration of design and nature.

Table, sculpture, or craftwork? This AS Cube certainly doesn’t look like a speaker. “Cube,” “Cylinder,” “Sphere” ... the love of simple geometric shapes that can be integrated into practically any architecture is already evident in the names of the popular models. What they all have in common is the principle of omnidirectional sound. A high-quality speaker chassis, discreetly mounted, projects sound down onto a cone-shaped base, which then distributes the sound evenly in all directions.

Wooden sculptures serve as stylish seating in a harmonious garden setting, perfect for relaxing outdoors. — Wooden sculptures as stylish seating options in a harmonious garden setting. Ideal for relaxed moments outdoors.

Unfortunately, we don’t know who made the elegant wooden seating group. The spherical granite speaker on the left in the background, however, is by Architettura Sonora. This construction principle is ideal for providing even sound coverage of large outdoor areas, but it also allows the speaker to be designed in such a way that even technology experts can only guess its function upon very close inspection. Of course, you could also hide such a stone speaker behind a bush or in a flower bed. But as strictly formal sculptures, they look just as good standing freely.

A modern speaker between a wooden star and a tree trunk with a star cutout in a garden. — A modern speaker stands between a wooden star and a tree trunk with a star-shaped cutout in the garden. Perfect harmony of design and nature.

Integrate rather than hide—here, an AS Cylinder M in a concrete look.

Guessing Game

Elegant fire columns provide atmospheric lighting as people enjoy wine in a modern evening setting. — In a modern, evening setting, elegant fire columns provide atmospheric lighting. People enjoy the ambiance with a glass of wine.

Party atmosphere as a complete package: Apollo table by AS with fire pit and omnidirectional speaker. AS takes things a step further with the “Apollo.” A standing table with a friendly flickering ethanol fire pit in the middle would already be a highlight at any party. But the sound architects from Tuscany have also integrated one of their 360° speakers into the base, making it the most unobtrusive party sound system you can imagine. For more information, visit the Architettura Sonora website or inquire about AS at Auditorium.

Lavender garden with stylish lighting, blending nature and design harmoniously. — Lavender in the garden with stylish lighting – a harmonious combination of nature and design.