Salvaged Sound: Juyong Shim’s “Horn Series” Brings New Life to Obsolete Speaker Parts

Korean designer Juyong Shim showcased NEW CRAFTMANSHIP: A NEW WORLD at SaloneSatellite during this year’s Milan Design Week. This exhibition features the Horn Series, a collection of sculptural furniture crafted from repurposed speaker components. Shim’s innovative project reimagines the structural logic of speaker horns, thus giving them a new purpose by merging functionality with artistic expression.

The Horn Series examines how material memory can persist beyond its original function by transforming industrial sound equipment into everyday objects. It includes stools, tables, shelving units and lighting fixtures, where salvaged speaker horns, frames, and housings serve as primary structural and visual elements. These components contribute to the modular design of the furniture, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. For instance, a table in the series can transform into a lamp, offering a space-saving solution.

Shim’s creative process begins by sourcing unused and surplus speaker parts from suppliers and abandoned inventories. Components are selected based on their structural integrity and material quality, then combined with new materials like steel tubing and industrial hardware. The furniture pieces are constructed using processes such as cutting, welding, bolting and powder coating, emphasizing low-intervention methods and intuitive assembly.