PikiP
Villa Hegra: a solar, autonomous and mobile system by Pikip & Paul Emilieu
The collaboration between Pikip Solar Speakers and Paul Emilieu continues with the design and creation of a solar, autonomous and mobile sound system for the Villa Hegra.
The collaboration between Pikip Solar Speakers and designer Paul Emilieu extends to Villa Hegra, the first French-Saudi cultural foundation in AlUla: a solar, autonomous and mobile sound system designed for artist-in-residence workshops.
A mobile, autonomous, locally rooted object
Paul Emilieu designed modular furniture able to follow the residents' changing practices. The sound system is part of this series: powered by a solar panel built into a custom frame, it offers up to 48 hours of autonomy and can be moved into the middle of the desert without any electrical infrastructure.
It is dressed in a fabric cover embroidered by Shaddah Design Studio, the hood is not just ornamental, it protects the electronics from the Saudi sun. The chrome studs echo traditional incense burners.
A custom build (PikiP Custom)
- Bass: customized VTL218 (40-120 Hz).
- Mid-high: VCX12 (120 Hz-18 kHz) with bullet tweeters to gain air in a hot, dry climate.
- Filtering reworked for a top-mounted sub, with phase shifting on the tops for coherence.
- Total power: 2,420 W nominal.
- Premium woodwork: mitre cuts, birch veneer edges, stainless steel vents, textured polyurethane finish (3 coats) resistant to UV and heat.
- Chrome solar station of 870 Wp, 3,500 Wh battery, 4-channel AEA amplifier.