Genelec and NNNN blend into Seoul’s Villa Records
Genelec and NNNN blend into Seoul’s Villa Records
When Seoul-based furniture and architectural designer Seungbin Lim created the new Villa Records showroom in Namsan, every detail was carefully considered. To support his vision of a space where audio enhances rather than dominates the architecture, Sama Sound supplied and installed a discreet loudspeaker system combining Genelec and NNNN loudspeakers throughout the three-storey venue.
Founder of both the Villa Records furniture brand and the CA design studio, Lim is known for exploring the relationship between objects, architecture and the spaces they inhabit. That same philosophy informed the showroom's audio design, where loudspeakers were selected and positioned to blend seamlessly into the minimalist interior.
“We have a lot of open space and large windows, so the aim was to keep everything clear and minimal,” explained Lim. “I didn't want to impact the aesthetic of the showroom with too many loudspeakers on the walls, so I told Joo that I wanted the system to be as minimal as possible. Just like the interior, simplicity was key.”
To achieve that vision, Sama Sound product manager Joo Lee worked on a design that featured just a single Genelec 4420A Smart IP Installation Loudspeaker each on the first two floors. Each unit was selected in a different colourway to complement the showroom’s interior.
“Seungbin was very keen on natural sound,” noted Lee. “He wanted visitors to still hear the air and the character of the room itself. We weren't creating a critical listening environment; the system is there to provide atmosphere, so a single loudspeaker on each floor was enough.”
The lower level was equipped with two Comium 30 studio monitors from Norwegian brand NNNN, selected to complement both the furniture products and the interior design. The Comium 30 is a boundary loudspeaker, which means that it uses boundaries like a wall or ceiling as an acoustic amplifier, enabling higher SPL and lower bass extension.
“We felt NNNN was a natural match for the furniture brands on the lower level,” said Lee. “I also wanted to surprise people who hadn't encountered the brand before. The black and white finishes work particularly well within the space.”
Despite Lim's strong interest in acoustics, no additional acoustic treatment was required. “We wanted the sound to remain as natural as possible,” Lee continues. “The furniture throughout the showroom provides enough absorption, so the space sounds great without treatment.”
Speaker placement was equally deliberate. On the middle floor, a proposed central position for the Genelec cabinet was abandoned because it drew too much attention within the carefully curated interior.
“Originally, we wanted to position the speaker in the centre of the room, but it turned out to be too eye-catching,” explained Lee. “So, we moved it to the external wall in the corner of the room. Architecturally, it helps draw visitors towards the curve of the space, while remaining visually discreet. With just a small loudspeaker in that location, the sound dispersion is perfect, and it covers the entire room.”
The result is a system that supports the atmosphere of the showroom while remaining largely invisible to visitors, reflecting the wider philosophy behind the project where loudspeaker placement was guided by the architectural vision.
“I'm extremely pleased with the result,” concluded Lim. “Joo implemented an AHM control system that allows both me and my staff to adjust the audio easily from our phones whenever needed. And in terms of design and sound quality, it’s exactly what I wanted.”
