LOUDSPEAKERS AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Audio is an essential element of interior design. Do not confuse the ‘”Audio” with “electrical or technical project” (which remains the responsibility of the technicians), but intend it as aesthetic and functional integration with all elements of interior design.
Interior design is, among many things, the design of aesthetic and functional aspects of the interior spaces, made with “particular attention to the practical and functional aspects of home living, such that the furniture has the right size, that spaces are respected in passing, that the furnishings are arranged so comfortable and functional, that the materials and technologies are of good quality, that there are no potential dangers to the health of those who will benefit of these […] (Wikipedia).
For this reason, the presence of elements such as audio or audio video, may not be something that can be made “after” the creation of an environment, the design of the house, to the choice of the elements of living room. It must also be an element of interior design.
Of course, nothing is impossible in retrospect, but the result, without the integration of the audio system in the projecting phase of interior design, it can be otherwise very “risky.”
It happened more than once to find a sitting room designed to the “last detail” in the aesthetic aspects where, in retrospect, were propped horrendous “cubes” recovered by necessity, dangling cables between beautiful crystal shelves, electronics crushed and senseless inclined to fit in a beautiful library. Elements that are badly placed for good listening, or other elements potentially dangerous because placed without adequate ventilation, or even other elements with reduced functionality for the lack of adequate space.
Designing “the interior’s audio” means to “integrate” the audio system elements with the architectural elements of the interior, in the following ways, which we will describe better in the next articles:
–visible elements, integrated with the surrounding decor by color and finishing (lacquers, fabrics, leather);
–invisible elements, integrated in decor but not visible, or integrated into plasterboard or masonry;
–tailored elements, integrated for physically completing some volumes or spaces.
We’ll analyze all this elements in the next articles showing you with pictures and practical examples the possible outcomes and how to solve this “problem” in a very simple way.