RUVACORE | The Sonarc

Overview

The Sonarc project is an immersive music chair designed to merge high-quality audio with timeless furniture design. The name derives from “sonus,” the Latin root for sound, and “arc,” referring to the chair’s enclosing form and curved armrests. Intended for spaces like living rooms, lounge environments, or studios, the design seeks to transform traditional seating into a private, enclosed listening environment. The primary engineering focus was concealing a Sony house audio system within the chair’s framework while maintaining visual restraint and a refined aesthetic.

Design Pillars & Evolution

Unified Structural System

A metal plate was integrated into the seat frame to provide added strength. The legs, Arc, seat, and tubing were engineered to support one another as a cohesive unit.

Integrated Audio Housing

The design transitioned to a CNC-cut Arc ring featuring a hollow underside. This provided space to house the front and surround speakers without making the chair feel oversized or visually heavy.

Acoustic Zoning

Speaker drivers were positioned across different zones to create an immersive listening experience. The final design placed speakers in the armrests, headrest, and seat base.

Interface Refinement

The armrest incorporates 0.5-inch switches to control volume and other outputs. User feedback indicated a potential improvement area in making these controls more intuitive for first-time use.

The Design Challenge

The central challenge involved determining how to conceal technical components and speakers within the smallest amount of space. The chair required structural volume to house the audio elements while ensuring the final product did not appear aesthetically overwhelming.

The Solution

Mechanical Framing: The use of a 4-inch thick Elm wood Arc, hollowed out via CNC cutting, functions as the centerpiece. This revolving wooden shape wraps around the user, providing the necessary volume for the speakers and supporting the armrests.
Material Alignment: The vintage-inspired aesthetic language was maintained through the use of a dark walnut stain, alternating perforated and regular black leather cushions, and bent steel tubing.

Technical Implementation

Iterative Prototyping: A 1:1 physical prototype was utilized to establish the final form. This step was necessary to resolve the back height and the physical transition between the wood components and the upholstery.
Assembly Methods: The CNC-cut wooden pieces were joined using wood glue, dowels, and matched corner rounds. The base features triangle steel tubing legs welded directly to a metal plate located at the bottom and back of the Arc to ensure stability.
Hardware Integration: Compact speaker drivers and custom chambers were integrated into the wooden form. The hardwired electronics were balanced to ensure durability, safety, and optimal audio performance.

Reflections

The Sonarc project demonstrates a rigorous integration of sound, comfort, and physical form into a single object. The process required balancing internal speaker volume with ergonomic support. Progressing from initial sketches to a finalized prototype enhanced problem-solving capabilities and the capacity to realize complex design concepts. The final chair maintains a vintage-inspired furniture language while operating as a highly technical listening device.

DISPLAY AND PROCESS MAGAZINE

THE SONARC