What does it mean to design for all the senses? It was a fitting question for an evening bringing together Greg Natale, Bang & Olufsen and habitusliving at the Danish audio brand’s new Martin Place showroom, where craftsmanship, materiality and the relationship between sound and space took centre stage.
Marking Bang & Olufsen’s return to Sydney’s CBD after more than a decade, the event was co-hosted by habitusliving and Greg Natale, bringing together members of the design community to celebrate the opening of the brand’s newest Australian showroom and consider the increasingly close relationship between technology and interior design.
Our very own editor, Timothy Alouani-Roby, moderated a conversation between Natale and Julian Kipping, General Manager of Bang & Olufsen Australia, exploring everything from the importance of materials and personalised design to the role of acoustics in shaping the spaces we inhabit.
The discussion brought together two distinct but complementary approaches to design. Natale’s interiors are recognised for their confident use of geometry, pattern and richly layered materials, while Bang & Olufsen has built its reputation on combining audio technology with a considered approach to form and craftsmanship. Both demonstrate how functional objects can contribute to the wider character of an interior.
Materiality was a particularly interesting point of connection, with Bang & Olufsen showcasing its limited-edition Beosound Balance Black Marble speaker. One of just 57 produced worldwide, the piece brings together natural stone and audio technology in an object that sits comfortably between sculpture and functional equipment. Its presence prompted a broader consideration of how technology can become part of an interior’s architectural and material language.
The conversation also touched on Natale’s latest decorative collection, Operetta, following an earlier collaboration with Bang & Olufsen celebrating his Terreno collection. Taking its name from the Italian term for ‘small opera’, Operetta draws on the optimism and experimentation of mid-century design, bringing together marble, mouth-blown glass, polished chrome, brass, ceramic and vegan leather in a series of sculptural objects.
For Natale, whose work moves between architecture, interiors and product design, the collection continues an exploration of how materials, forms and decorative elements can influence the atmosphere of a room. This interest in individual expression also finds a parallel in Bang & Olufsen’s Atelier service, which offers clients opportunities to personalise products through bespoke finishes and material combinations.
Related: Layering time, colour and materials
As residential design becomes increasingly tailored to individual lifestyles, the ability to integrate technology into a carefully considered interior presents new possibilities for designers. Rather than treating speakers and audio systems as separate additions, products can be selected and customised to complement the surrounding architecture, furniture and finishes.
Beyond the objects themselves, the evening explored the less visible qualities that shape our experience of a space. While interior design is often discussed in terms of colour, texture and visual composition, sound and acoustics have an equally important influence on atmosphere, comfort and how a room is used. Considering these elements from the outset allows technology to contribute to the overall experience of an interior, rather than simply providing a functional service.
The gathering also came at a significant moment for Natale, who celebrates 25 years of practice this November. Since establishing his studio in 2001, he has developed an internationally recognised multidisciplinary portfolio spanning architecture, interiors, furniture and decorative objects, alongside collaborations with a range of established design brands.
Looking ahead, Natale is preparing to expand his headquarters into a six-level heritage Georgian garage in Darlinghurst, bringing together his studio, flagship boutique and private penthouse residence. The project represents another chapter in a career characterised by an ongoing exploration of materiality, pattern and the relationship between architecture and the objects within it.
With Bang & Olufsen establishing a renewed presence in central Sydney and Natale approaching a quarter-century in practice, the evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the shared values of craftsmanship, individuality and thoughtful design. From the tactile qualities of marble to the possibilities of bespoke technology and the intangible influence of sound, the conversation reinforced the importance of creating interiors that engage more than just the eye.
