Fresh from their Wallpaper* Design Award win with the elegant interior of the Bella yacht, Danish Studio Norm Architects have announced another collaboration. Working hand in hand with compatriots Bang & Olufsen, the Contrast Collection takes eight of the acclaimed audio specialists’ most iconic products and transforms them with material, texture and tone. Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, Design Director at Bang & Olufsen, has committed to furthering the company’s collaborations, which include the Circle of Fifths project developed for Wallpaper* Handmade 2019 with Germans Ermičs. Describing the involvement of Norm Architects as a way of interpreting current interior trends, Krab-Bjerre emphasises the contrasting colours and materials.
The collection ranges from the Beoplay A1 Bluetooth speaker and Beoplay H9 wireless headphones, through to the larger, more architectural elements like the Beosound Shape and the Beosound 1 and 2. The colour palette focuses on light grey and anthracite, off-setting the brushed and polished aluminium that has become such a cornerstone of the B&O look. Norm Architects worked on bringing a warmth to the aesthetic through texture and fabrics, experimenting with different surface treatments, some of which used hand-brushed techniques, at Bang & Olufsen’s factory.
The Collection also includes a new fabric, developed closely with Kvadrat. It builds upon the Danish textile manufacturer’s first work for B&O back in 2015 with a more tactile, textured finish that uses a combination of wool and viscose. Renowned for their steely elegance and audio perfection, the Contrast Collection gives these Bang & Olufsen components a more grounded, earthy ambience, without compromising their high-fidelity roots.
INFORMATION
normcph.com
-
Hella Jongerius named Honorary Royal Designer for Industry 2023The Dutch designer received the Honorary Royal Designer for Industry 2023 accolade alongside creatives from different disciplines
-
London restaurant and tequila bar Ixchel brings Mexico’s timeless flavour to every sip and bite
On London’s King’s Road, Ixchel offers an unmissable fusion of Mexican art, cuisine and atmosphere
-
Matthew M Williams is leaving Givenchy
American designer Matthew M Williams is set to exit his role as creative director of Givenchy after a three-year tenure
-
Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 is a stunning standalone speaker
The new Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 speaker can be used on its own or in a pair, or even as part of the ultimate home cinema set-up
-
Bang & Olufsen teams up with Ferrari for an exclusive collection of its best audio products
The Bang & Olufsen Ferrari Collection – combining B&O’s audio heritage with the car maker’s extrovert sporting style – offers enthusiasts of both brands a new way to explore their passions
-
Six new ways of making music, from sonorous start-ups to note-perfect classics
Our music technology round-up showcases six new ways of making music, from a piano designed to blend into the modern home to sophisticated effects units and an all-in-one DJ system
-
ABBA Voyage director Baillie Walsh on songs, sequins, and virtual spaces
Baillie Walsh, the director behind ABBA Voyage, one of the most advanced entertainment spectacles ever, tells Wallpaper* how the magic happens, ABBAtars and all
-
Minimalist speaker designs blend audio with art
-
MOD Devices’ open-source pedals play a different tune
Berlin-based Mod Devices creates a new generation of multipurpose audio tools
-
The Moog Sound Studio brings analogue music creation to life
Moog’s new Sound Studio – a bespoke box of synth delights – is an all-in-one introduction to synthesized musical creation
-
Fender looks forwards with a new hybrid guitar design
Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of Fender Products, discusses the company’s latest product and what it means for the future of guitar
