The possibilities in design are unlimited, with the most interesting aspect being experimentation, which indeed results in something unique. The latest collaboration between Studio Ambre and Phasis Audio Systems is a great example of it. The wood-preserving technique from Japan, primarily known as shou sugi ban or Yakisugi, is widely used in tiny houses and other wooden structures. The duo, however, has creatively used it for something rather unexpected.
Studio Ambre and Phasis Audio Systems focused on combining high-fidelity audio engineering with traditional wood-preserving techniques to create a high-end audio piece that also serves as an art piece. For this, the all-new Yakisugi Speakers are made by fire-treating oak, turning them into functional acoustic art objects.
The process starts with treating the wooden enclosures under controlled burn inside chimney-like structures that char the outer timber surface. Every piece of wood burns differently and leaves one-of-a-kind patterns. This textured skin becomes a key visual element in the speaker design.
After firing, these elements are cooled with water to freeze the burns, and a custom-developed transparent resin mixture is applied to fill in the cracks, ridges, and carbon layers. The resin treatment not only enhances the durability of the enclosures but also preserves the unique textures.
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If you think the resin may affect the audio quality, the designers have placed a hidden aluminium box inside the speaker to solve that issue. This aluminium enclosure forms a stable acoustic chamber, while the charred oak acts as the outer shell. This keeps the sound chamber unaffected.
The project showcases how traditional wooden treatment techniques can be used in a modern context, where people, especially collectors, are more inclined toward experimental design. Despite many challenges, the collaborative team created hi-fi speakers with unrepeatable aesthetics.
Via: Hypebeast
