breeze block
In collaboration with Jacob Boyd, we designed and produced a stereo sound system inspired by concrete breeze blocks. Within a 12 week university project, we developed a design, tested material constraints with prototypes, and built a finished product. The success of this collaboration led us to launch a joint brand, semblance, from which to sell the product. Together, we prepared the design for commission sales and executed the launch of our own design company. This included creating and managing a website, social media accounts, and marketing content.
The project was inspired by the idea of creating a speaker that resembles a concrete breeze block - structural building elements which are horizontally oriented, allowing light and air to pass through. Although the ornamental patterns are recognized for their distinctness and beauty, breeze blocks are not utilized outside of their current architectural context.
Designing the mould was a complex process - mainly creating the facade pattern with a hollow interior while ensuring appropriate draft for de-moulding. We referenced the enclosure model and added clearance for the connections. The final moold is composed of 25 interlocking, 3D-printed pieces with surrounding plywood walls.
The mould parts required sanding to remove print layer lines, and gluing for those split in half. After a release agent was applied, all parts were assembled into the completed casting moold. The initial concrete pour used a less viscous mix to fill the details of the facade, subsequent pours contained more aggregate to increase strength.
The sound system features two 3.5” drivers that deliver clear mid-range frequencies, complemented by rear-facing bass ports that enhance the low-end. A minimal, yet tactile interface, featuring Bluetooth and auxiliary inputs, is located on a recessed backplate. This design choice intentionally conceals the speaker components, creating the illusion that the breeze block is a decorative object rather than a sound system.
The design and fabrication of the speaker was only the start of the product’s journey. The decision to launch a joint brand to promote the speaker necessitated the creation of marketing materials, including photography, copy-writing, social media content, and a website. Through our collaboration, a unified brand identity was developed using visual assets and copy. I designed a website, which was informed by this design language, that provided a platform to market the products.
