Transcript
SPECIAL REPORT
megaphone
A RETURN TO THE ROOTS.
en&is was born from the synergy between Enrico Bosa, a product and interior designer, and Isabella Lovero, a product and jewellery designer.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF EN&IS | TEXT BY BELLE CHUNG
Conceived, developed and produced entirely in Italy, the Megaphone and Megaphone Mini are all about eco-friendliness and human culture with its ceramic body and tripod of fine Italian Walnut.
S
hell-like and semi-conical in structure, this mechanism calls
have thereby reducing waste. With additional sound technology as a
to mind the sounding horns of an ancient past. Elegant and
no option, they turned their focus onto emphasizing, developing and
voluptuous, its horn-shaped body is full of seamless beauty and fluid grace. A closer look reveals an absence of wires and electronic
making the most out of what is already at their disposal. What surfaced was a cooperative with one of the most tech-savvy
set-up; only a narrow opening atop its body and a wide gaping
devices today, the iPhone. Understanding that the sound performance
mouth at its up-turned base. What is its use and how is it used - its
of iPhone speakers are fairly good but insufficient to fill a room, Enrico
name, Megaphone, unveils part of the mystery.
and Isabella began to study how to passively amplify sound without
Conceptualized by the dynamic design duo, en&is, the
introducing “technology” and without using additional power for it. “We
Megaphone is exactly what it is - a megaphone. Its intrinsic
developed and tested different design solutions, always striving to strike
purpose is to passively amplify sound for the iPhone. The idea,
a balance between shape and function,” says Enrico, “in order to optimize
according to en&is, first arose upon reflecting on the use of
both the acoustic performance and aesthetic form of the object.”
technology and how seemingly indispensable it has become today.
The developmental journey of their product led the two to “return
Every object surrounding us contains some form of technological
to the roots”. More than just adapting the form of sounding horns
element. Everywhere and in everything, energy is used to produce
used in ancient times, the two also adopted materials once used
devices, to make them work and to dismiss them. This issue of
in ancient manufacture. Ceramic is a glassy material renowned for
technological indispensability was what led designers Enrico Bosa
its ability to convey sound vibrations and hardwood for its use as
and Isabella Lovero of en&is to create Megaphone.
creative building tools and handy objects. As such, ceramic is used
“With Megaphone, we meant to create a completely low-technology
for the body of the Megaphone and is produced in Nove, an Italian
product,” shares en&is. “The aim was to rouse people to reflect upon
village well-known for its traditional ceramics; and hardwood is used
the importance of things and the potential value of everything that
for its tripod. Its unique design works to minimize the contact area
surrounds us.” To do so, Enrico and Isabella’s product philosophy drew
between the body and the base.
from the wise teachings of their grandparents: optimize everything we
The complete aesthetic and audio result, they say, is magic. Simply, vintage yet contemporary, the Megaphone fits seamlessly into all
“We have developed and tested different design solutions always striving to strike a balance between shape and function, in order to optimize both the acoustic performance and the aesthetic form of the object.”
14 decorations | volume 98
interiors and is always elegantly poised to project quality volume and sound for all occasions. For your own sound-savvy Megaphone, head down to Robinsons Orchard this New Year’s. SAY YOU SAW IT IN DECORATIONS en&is, www.enandis.com
