A failed experiment just became the defining feature of a $5,300 luxury speaker. Bang & Olufsen’s aluminum experts in Struer, Denmark were attempting deep black anodization when something unexpected happened. The test piece emerged with textured swirls and darker pigment streaks – what they called the “burnout” effect. This accident sparked intense experimentation to reproduce the unpredictable finish under controlled conditions.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

The Revolutionary Spaceshop: Retail Reimagined for Any Planet

Weighing 1000kg and designed by Danish Space Architects SAGA, the Vollebak Spaceshop represents mobile retail architecture for extreme environments. “When we thought about our first shop we didn’t simply think about one city, or even one planet,” explains Nick Tidball, Vollebak co-founder. “We thought about a future in which stores would come to you, bringing the things you needed when you needed them, regardless of where you were hanging out on the beach in LA, or mining asteroids in space.”

Precision-engineered aluminum forms the structure’s foundation. Its exterior panels feature the same burnished, anodized aesthetic as the Beosound 2 Vollebak Edition. Inside? Bang & Olufsen’s iconic Beolab 5 and Beosound 2 speakers deliver an immersive, space-inspired soundscape.

Danish Space Architects SAGA specializes in architecture for extreme conditions. This makes them ideal partners for a retail concept that could theoretically function anywhere from Earth to space stations. Following its June 25 unveiling at Bjarke Ingels Group’s Copenhagen headquarters, the Spaceshop will tour key cities globally.

The Accidental Discovery That Defines the Beosound 2 Vollebak Edition

Rocket-burn effects on aluminum. That’s what Bang & Olufsen set out to replicate through advanced anodization. Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, Creative Director for Atelier at Bang & Olufsen, breaks down the process: “Aluminum, in its raw form, has an open structure. Left untouched, it naturally oxidizes to protect itself. But in a controlled environment, you can open the pores, introduce color, and seal it with a layer of aluminum oxide.”

Then came the breakthrough. A test piece meant for deep black emerged with textured swirls of grey and streaks of darker pigment. Teams worked intensively to reproduce this unpredictable finish under controlled conditions. The result? No two speakers appear identical. Each Beosound 2 Vollebak Edition becomes a one-of-a-kind sculptural object shaped by unexpected outcomes in the design process.

Pricing reflects this uniqueness: $5,300 for a made-to-order piece. Available from vollebak.com starting June 25, with Bang & Olufsen availability following later.

Vollebak’s Revolutionary Material Science Legacy

Twin brothers Nick and Steve Tidball founded Vollebak in 2016 with an ambitious mission. They use advanced material technology to tackle fundamental challenges of the next century: space exploration, climate change, human health, and sustainability. Their track record speaks volumes – two-time winners at TIME Best Inventions.

What have they created? Clothing ranges built for Mars and Titan. Gear designed for apocalypse scenarios. The world’s first solar-charged jacket. The first jacket made from graphene. The first computer programmable clothing, bringing humanity one step closer to an invisibility cloak.

This expertise in extreme material applications perfectly complements Bang & Olufsen’s century of acoustic development and aluminum mastery. As Krab-Bjerre puts it: “We’re excited to partner with Vollebak on this ambitious project, showcasing the innovation and experimentation that are at the heart of both brands. Together, we’ve transformed aluminum into a work of art – one that doesn’t just represent space and sound but also imagines the future we’re building towards.”

The Vollebak Anodized Jacket: Wearable Material Innovation

The collaboration extends beyond audio equipment. Enter the Vollebak Anodized Jacket, made from polyamide ripstop fused with a near-invisible layer of metal using galvanic treatment. This experimental process mirrors the speaker’s material experimentation in wearable form.

Why does this matter? It demonstrates how anodization techniques can transfer across product categories, from audio equipment to high-performance clothing. The jacket bridges the gap between traditional clothing and advanced protective gear through galvanic treatment that fuses metal layers with textile.

Bang & Olufsen’s Century of Innovation

Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen founded their company in 1925 in Struer, Denmark. Nearly a century later, their devotion and vision remain the foundation for everything Bang & Olufsen creates. The company has consistently pushed boundaries of audio technology while maintaining its position at the forefront of acoustic innovation.

Today’s numbers tell the story: approximately 900 employees operating in more than 70 markets worldwide. Products sold through Bang & Olufsen stores, bang-olufsen.com, and select retailers globally. Shares listed on NASDAQ Copenhagen A/S. Every product still characterized by the unique combination of beautiful sound, timeless design, and unrivaled craftsmanship.

A Long-Term Partnership for Future Innovation

This collaboration marks just the beginning. Both brands share commitments to pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible in their respective fields. The partnership demonstrates how audio engineering and advanced material science can converge to create products that transcend traditional category boundaries.

The June 25 unveiling at Bjarke Ingels Group’s Copenhagen headquarters represents more than a product launch. It’s a statement about the future of design innovation. As the Spaceshop begins its global tour, it will carry this message of material experimentation and boundary-pushing design to key cities worldwide, inspiring new conversations about the intersection of space, sound, and advanced materials.

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