Parallel chair in studio setting

Shell.

Parallel chair in studio setting

Shell.

A study in material, proportion and interaction.

2024

How can technology feel less like technology?

Shell explores how material and proportion can transform a technical product into a calm and tactile object.


The project began as a study of form, investigating how a single layer of oak could embrace the speaker's core while creating a clear and balanced silhouette. Through a series of proportion studies and physical models, the relationship between the wooden shell and the fabric-covered body was gradually refined until both elements felt inseparable.


Rather than hiding the technology, the wooden shell frames and softens it, creating a warm presence that integrates naturally into the home.


Interaction follows the same philosophy. The speaker is operated using only three buttons, carefully positioned in a sequence that makes their function immediately understandable. By reducing visual and functional complexity, the interface becomes intuitive without requiring explanation.

The project began with a personal observation.


For years, I carried a traditional wallet in my back pocket, gradually filling it with coins, receipts and cards I rarely used. Thick layers of leather and unnecessary contents transformed a simple everyday object into something bulky and inconvenient.


Instead of redesigning the conventional wallet, I first questioned what I actually needed to carry. By reducing the contents to the essentials: payment cards, identification and a small amount of cash, the design challenge became clear: creating the thinnest possible wallet without sacrificing usability or durability.

Specifications

Dimensions (H × W × D)

87 x 70 x 155 mm

Materials

Layered oak veneer, acoustic textile, ABS housing

Interface

Three-button intuitive control.

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