hannes harms: flat boombox via designboom

german-born masters candidate hannes harms from the royal college of art has designed ‘thin boom-box’ [actually ‘flat boombox’ according to Harms website], a small speaker which incorporates future technology focused on flat electrical components. by using 0.5mm thin stainless steel, its volume and material are highly reduced, making the methods for the manufacturing process in consumer electronics more sustainable. with acid-etching, the sheet of stainless steel is cut and engraved extremely precisely, allowing for 100% recyclability due to its extractive process. the shape of the product also allows for efficient shipping, enabling the use of envelope style packaging. once purchased,  the user would assemble the speaker by bending the metal along pre-scored lines.

This is a beautiful prototype example of abductive design. Harms started with some design constraints — flat components for minimal shipping materials, recyclable materials — and comes up with a clever — and beautiful — solution to the problem.

I wonder what the sound is like with a flat speaker diaphragm?

6 July 2012 26
designflat boomboxhannes harmsspeakerstainless steel

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