It takes great skill, painstaking work and a huge amount of time to design and manufacture a piano. And when you add a decent load of technology and breaking modern design, the story gets a whole lot harder. These two statements totally match the one and a half year work that Pleyel, the fabled French manufacturer of pianos, and Peugeot Design Lab have spent to conceive and create the outstanding musical instrument you can admire in these images.
According to Peugeot, the wonderful work of art is beautifully contoured by aerodynamic and sleek lines, inspired from the automotive architecture and design behind the brand. This baby grand piano boasts with wooden body and soundboard, while the leg and the lid were crafted from carbon fiber. Both these materials are crucially important in the automotive and sound domains because of their unique properties.
The design of this gorgeous piece comes from otherworldly sources, proven by its UFO-like look which staggers everyone who sees it, especially those used to playing classic grand pianos. Unlike classic pianos, which are able to stand thanks to a system of three legs, the designers of this baby have merged three virtual legs into one, curiously-looking, single cantilevered leg. Furthermore, unlike classic pianos, this one doesn’t require a stick to prop the lid up. It sports a lid operated by a system of levers using only one hand.
By far the most staggering feature of this superb instrument is the lowered mechanism, brought down to be at the same level with the keyboard, bringing a brand new visual and sound experience to the audience and to the pianist. The result of this sort of design and build is an obviously better sound quality.
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see this model of piano in too many homes, because it costs a mind boggling €165,000. For those in Paris, get to the Motor Show – it’s currently on display there. If your bank accounts allow it, you can order this futuristic piano from Peugeot’s Design Lab Stand.
[Luxuo]
