Kronberg/Taunus, Germany
For the occasion of Braun’s 100th anniversary, American designer Virgil Abloh, Chief Creative Officer and Founder of Off-White and Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Menswear, revisits the brand’s iconic wall-mounted HiFi system – The Wandanlage, which won a Good Design® Award from The Chicago Athenaeum in 1967.
The German company has joined forces with Virgil Abloh, one of the most renowned names in industrial design today, to update its timeless audio system for a new generation of audiophiles.
Technology has evolved significantly since the famous Dieter Rams designed the original hi-fi wall unit in 1965. Rams was a head designer of Braun’s design department until 1995.
Under Rams’ direction, the German company introduced many novelties in the world of audio.
Rams’ designs even inspired many recent devices, notably Apple products.
The collaboration with Braun’s design team, Virgil Abloh dove into the Braun archives to update and co-curate the 1965 Wandanlage HiFi audio wall unit with Braun’s design team into a “functional art” piece.
In 1965, Dieter Rams designed the Wandanlage for Braun, a hi-fi wall system consisting of a control unit, a tape recorder and two flat speakers. ‘the design of the building blocks of the wall system corresponded to my ideas of developing a design that was more related to the technology and operation of the devices.
I installed it in my home in 1965 — it still hangs today, it works and can still be heard acoustically.
Dieter Rams in 1995
In collaboration with Braun’s design team, Abloh transforms the 1965Wandanlage into a functional work of art.
The metallic finish of the 2021 version is a visual manifestation of the parallels between Braun’s polished chrome design aesthetic and the high shine of Abloh’s cultural and musical references of the past 100 years.
By taking a “less but better” approach to the design process, Virgil Abloh and Braun ensure that the original hi-fi audio remains the hero of the collaboration – and the technology still functions today as it did back in 1965.
The result is a custom build “functional art” piece where design bridges the gap between form and function, with materials that ensure it lasts for the next 100 years.
A remix track by Virgil Abloh is also available on Abloh’s Soundcloud to bring the Braun ethos of Good Design to life: it’s timeless and meant to be appreciated and enjoyed over time.
Virgil Abloh said: “I have always had a deep appreciation for Braun design. For the brand’s 100 years, I jumped at the opportunity to reimagine this iconic Braun product and challenge what we have come to expect from design.”
“The ‘functional art’ piece co-curated with Braun Design not only highlights the original function of the hi-fi wall unit that was the best audio of its time, but also the quality and durable materials that are built to last. As a creator, I continue to question how art is perceived in today’s culture.”
“Further, ‘Functional art’ is a lasting legacy of the enduring power of good design that is simple, useful and built to last. In so doing, it advances the frames of design references beyond design ‘purists’ to broader audiences.”
Designers: Virgil Abloh in collaboration with Braun’s Design Team
Manufacturer: Braun GmbH