In celebration of its 100th anniversary, German consumer products company, Braun, has teamed up with Chief Creative Officer and founder of Off-White and artistic director of Louis Vuitton Menswear, Virgil Abloh, to reimagine one of the brand’s most iconic products. 

This unique collaboration sees the infusion of Abloh’s personal influences and design language into the classic 1965 Wandanlage hi-fi audio wall unit, originally designed by German industrial designer, Dieter Rams. Transformed into a piece of “functional art”, the Wandanlage has been transported into 2021 with an updated polished chrome finish. This new, lustrous coating reflects the parallel between Braun’s polished chrome design aesthetic and the style of Abloh’s cultural and music references of the past 100 years. 

While the piece takes on a refreshed, contemporary appearance, Abloh and Braun wanted to ensure that the original technology, which includes a radio, reel-to-reel, and turntable are preserved. Therefore, the updated Wandanlage hi-fi audio wall unit operates the same today as it did in 1965, celebrating the design for its timeless endurance. 

“I have always had a deep appreciation for Braun design,” says Abloh. 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. “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.”

In addition to the modified Wandanlage, Abloh has also remixed a Braun-exclusive mixtape in collaboration with The Chopstars titled “Internationalism”, giving this intersection of Braun and Virgil Abloh further expression and life. Braun has also released a short film of Abloh explaining his inspiration behind the project at the iconic Mies van der Rohe-designed Farnsworth House.