Publication of the Book "Bang & Olufsen: Sound and Design"

Art direction by Mina Tabei.

In 2025, the Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the brand will publish its first concept book in Japan.

This book conveys the heritage that the brand, whose history began with radios assembled on a farm and evolved into state-of-the-art sound systems, has built over a century through various contents. It is a product catalog introducing numerous masterpieces in chronological order and a detailed document tracing the brand's 100-year journey. In addition to a special interview with Hiroshi Fujiwara, one of the key figures who introduced Bang & Olufsen to Japan in the 1990s, the book features a visual history combining the voices of 10 groups of creators and artists with discerning eyes and impeccable taste—including Masamichi Katayama, Hiroshi Nakamura, Ryo Miyoshi, and Lee Kang-ho—who share their thoughts on their favorite products, along with beautiful photographs capturing Bang & Olufsen products harmonizing with living environments. The book also includes valuable on-site interviews with Danish designers currently collaborating with Bang & Olufsen, such as Torsten Valeur and Cecilie Manz, who were apprentices of David Lewis, a designer who created many historical masterpieces in the 90s. This volume offers a unique insight into the journey of a brand that continues to transmit its message to the world from Struer, a small town in a rural area about four hours from Copenhagen.

Special Interview with Hiroshi Fujiwara

Beosound 9000, still immensely popular today.

Fujiwara's activities, globally recognized for his wide-ranging design direction in fashion, products, and spaces, are deeply rooted in music. In the early 1980s, Fujiwara began his career as one of Japan's earliest DJs. In the 1990s, he expanded his activities to include composing, arranging, and producing, and his lifestyle began to be featured in the media. During this period, Bang & Olufsen products, used by Fujiwara in his home, also became widely known. This book includes an interview where Fujiwara discusses the brand and its design.

My Bang & Olufsen

Interview with Masamichi Katayama, Wonderwall®

Masamichi Katayama, an interior designer who has worked on projects worldwide, focusing on interior design, but also branding for architecture and fashion boutiques, hotels, and overall planning for large commercial facilities. His office is lined with Bang & Olufsen products representing various eras. Katayama, who has loved music since junior high school, talks about his encounter with the brand and its design.

"In an era when you couldn't know everything through the internet as you can now, seeing the actual product had great significance. One of the reasons I came to Tokyo was my desire to see many different things. I was greatly surprised by Bang & Olufsen, which I encountered without any prior knowledge."

Bang & Olufsen products representing various eras are displayed in the office.

Beolit 20, designed by Cecilie Manz.

Design Matters

Interview with Cecilie Manz

Cecilie Manz, a leading Danish designer with strong ties to Japanese brands, has worked on many projects in furniture, tableware, lighting, and electrical appliances. Manz, who has been involved with essential products for contemporary Bang & Olufsen, shares her memories of the brand she has known since childhood and her thoughts on design.

"I want to create things that accompany people's daily lives. That means creating things that I myself use. If it doesn't work well in my home, it won't work well for others either. As a result of trial and error, I have designed seven speakers so far."

[Content List]

Interview with Hiroshi Fujiwara: Hiroshi Fujiwara

My Bang & Olufsen: Masamichi Katayama Wonderwall® / Hiroshi Nakamura / Ryo Miyoshi / Lee Kang-ho / Nuri Yong / Akiko Kawamura & Yoriko Takuma / Mayuko Aizawa & Masayuki Onaga / Toshiki Yagisawa / NO AGE / Shogo Sekine / Karimoku Furniture

History of Bang & Olufsen

Iconic Products

Design Matters: Torsten Valeur / Cecilie Manz