Mid-Century Modern and Hylixa. Breaking the Mold.

In 2018, Node filmed its promotional video for the HYLIXA loudspeaker in one of the UK’s finest examples of Mid-Century Modern houses - the Coward House, built by architect David Shelley in 1970 and owned by Simon and Monica Seigel. Simon is the founder of Atomic Interiors, a buyer-and-seller of iconic Mid-Century Modern pieces of furniture, many of which adorn their period home.

A slice of sunny Southern California nestled in leafy Nottinghamshire, the house has featured in many stylish places, like The Modern House estate agency and Oliver Spencer fashion shoots, as well as been used as a backdrop for filming, such as this music video from British electronic band, Goldfrapp.

Widespread appreciation of such houses and their style has been a relatively recent phenomenon. Indeed, for a time Mid-Century Modern was a forgotten movement, only for it to dramatically re-emerge in the early 2000s as interest in period furniture was spurred by online marketplaces and by the popularity of critically acclaimed television series, Mad Men (AMC, 2007-2015). But the enduring beauty of Mid-Century Modern design has really been the reason why its products are so coveted today.

Seeking that same timeless style, Node’s HYLIXA took direct inspiration from Mid-Century Modern design. But where did this movement come from and why is it such a staple of quality?

The Mid-Century Modern design movement, in interior, product, graphic design, architecture and urban development, was popular from roughly 1945 to 1969. It was an American-led initiative, and generally accepted as a North Atlantic reflection of the International and Bauhaus movements of the pre-war period: Danish, Italian (and some British) designers became global stars in the States.

Drawing on the mass production capacity of the recently won Second World War, Mid-Century Modern championed the emerging dynamism of urbanism, mass transit, consumer electronics and entertainment. An optimistic alliance of technology, clean, simple lines and an honest use of materials, Mid-Century Modern also emphasised the juxtaposition of organic and synthetic components by inviting the natural world in.

The striking structural transparency of the housing projects by renowned Mid-Century Modern figures like Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen, exhibits this philosophy of openness, and also how they thought best to rehabilitate millions of GIs returning from the Second World War. The Coward House likewise demonstrates this synergy of the artificial with the natural in its integrated drinks cabinets, granite walls, terrazzo floors and rosewood and teak detailing,

At its core, Mid-Century Modern rejects tradition apart from the mantra of ‘form follows function.’ Instead of more detailed or busier design, decorative embellishment is foregone for ‘purer’ work; relying on technology to break the mould of what people expect.

Node’s HYLIXA exemplifies this ethos in the world of loudspeaker design. For years, the box cabinet had been the hegemonic model in Hi-Fi construction, with very little structural variation. Meanwhile, HYLIXA’s unique helical internals have dictated its entire geometry: state-of-the-art laser technology is used to fuse the cabinet from particles of glass and nylon, before it is turned on the lathe to ensure complete concentricity. An integrated stand, which sweeps the product forward, gives it elegance and comes complete with customizable hairpin legs.

Freed from the traditional constraints of loudspeaker design, HYLIXA’s cutting-edge performance and aesthetics create a product befitting of the modern age. And with multiple options for metallic and paint finishes, HYLIXA is not only an investment in musical enjoyment for many years to come, but it exists as an eminently tasteful and purist piece of acoustic furniture which will provide a strong statement for any interior now, and into the future.