The friendly object and life companion: the Brionvega radiofonografo
In 1965, designers and architects Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed for and with BRIONVEGA the radiofonografo, bringing significant innovations to the world of radio and record player products. The idea of combining the radio and record player marked an important turning point.
Technical drawings BRIONVEGA (1967)
The rr126 radiofonografo was then the subject of two patents in 1966, both filed by BRIONVEGA and granted the following year.
The Castiglioni brothers and BRIONVEGA broke away from the traditional concept of the radio cabinet, considering it antiquated and lacking in aesthetic elegance. For their design, they found a solution that suited the functional requirements: the loudspeakers had to be positioned at a distance to best appreciate the records’ stereophony, but could be brought closer for listening to the radio, which at the time was only broadcast in mono. Thus, the mobility concept was organically integrated into the product.
Product versatility, understood as the ability to adapt to different user requirements, was a highly important and innovative concept in the design of the Brionvega radiofonografo.
radiofonografo rr126 prototype, private collection
“A design object,” explained Achille Castiglioni, “is the result of the joint effort of many people with different specific skills (technical, industrial, commercial, aesthetic). A designer’s work is the expressive synthesis of this collective work.”
This is a demonstration of a precise strategic choice made by Brionvega since its foundation: to leave designers a great deal of freedom, assigning them the sole mission of creating unique, futuristic objects, engaging in innovative, complex and, above all, artisanal production processes.
New radiofonografo rr226 in the available finishes
The radiofonografo represents the comprehensive transformation of a function (listening to the radio and records) into a complete design object with a strong, well-defined identity. This design intent gives rise to the concept of the radiofonografo as a ‘musical robot’, an object with an anthropomorphic appearance in which the eyes, ears and even smile are easily recognisable. This unique feature makes the radiofonografo a companion that becomes a true friend.
The die-cast aluminium base gives the radiofonografo identity and autonomy, while also making it easy to transport thanks to its wheels. This is consistent with the idea of the radiofonografo as a companion that follows its user wherever they need it. The original function of the radio and record player is therefore transformed into a furnishing element that lends vitality and identity to the entire room.
The concept of a friendly product is the common thread that connects the creation of many iconic objects made by Brionvega, which are all distinguished by their unique attractiveness, capable of creating a special bond between the product and the user. The radiocubo (Zanuso and Sapper), the Doney TV (Zanuso and Sapper) and the totem (M. Bellini), for example, are objects that embody the idea of being able to be transported and to follow the user, like a true friend, with whom a unique relationship is created.
