Speaker Couch

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECT

TYPE

California College of the Arts

Collabortive project with Graphic Designer

DURATION

12 Weeks (2024)

Speaker Couch is a modular seating system that integrates high-fidelity directional audio directly into the furniture, transforming the couch into a personal listening environment without external speakers.

Traditional home audio systems introduce visual clutter and spatial constraints, often competing with interior environments rather than complementing them. Speaker Couch addresses this by:

Integrating audio components directly into seating geometry
Reducing the need for external speakers and cables
Creating a localized, personal sound experience within shared spaces

CMF PROPOSAL

01 MATERIAL CHOICE

1. Material: Woven polyester or polyester-wool blend
Weave: Vertical rib or striated weave pattern
Finish: Soft-touch, low-sheen textile

2. Material: Injection-molded ABS or PC-ABS blend
Finish: Matte, micro-textured surface

OPEN LIVING ROOM

CLOSED LIVING ROOM

HYBRID LIVING ROOM

Fully connected to kitchen/dining
Minimal physical boundaries
Sound and activity spread freely
Prioritizes social interaction over control

Enclosed by full-height walls and doors
Strong acoustic and visual separation
Better sound control, less flexibility
Traditional room-based layout

Partially open to surrounding spaces
Defined by furniture or soft architectural boundaries
Moderates sound spread while maintaining openness

The acoustic character of a living space is strongly influenced by whether it is open plan or closed off by walls and doors, with distinct consequences for how sound travels, reflects, and decays within the environment.

PROCESS

02 SKETCH PROCESS

Traditional home audio systems introduce visual clutter and spatial constraints, often competing with interior environments rather than complementing them. Speaker Couch addresses this by:

Integrating audio components directly into seating geometry
Reducing the need for external speakers and cables
Creating a localized, personal sound experience within shared spaces

The speaker configuration was informed by basic acoustic principles. A downward-facing subwoofer uses floor reflection to reinforce low frequencies and distribute bass evenly throughout the space, while forward-facing tweeters preserve directional clarity at ear level.

64' W x 34' D x 16' H in

USER INTERACTION

02 SKETCH PROCESS

A concealed sliding side panel is integrated into the chair’s side profile, providing access to storage and audio controls without disrupting the primary seating form. When closed, the panel sits flush with the outer surface, maintaining a clean, furniture-first silhouette. When extended, it reveals a compact storage cavity and an intuitive control interface for volume, playback, and connectivity. The linear sliding motion aligns with the chair’s vertical striation language, reinforcing visual continuity while allowing functional elements to remain discreet and accessible.

Flush when closed to maintain form integrity
Linear motion reinforces vertical material language
Controls positioned within natural arm reach
Storage integrated without increasing footprint

Speaker Chair reimagines seating as an integrated audio system, balancing acoustic performance with furniture-first design. Through controlled proportions, directional sound strategy, and a cohesive CMF language, the project demonstrates how technology can be embedded seamlessly into everyday objects. The result is a concept that prioritizes user experience, spatial awareness, and material clarity over visual complexity.