Studio Ambre combines fire treated oak and precise audio tuning to design an unique texture piece
Yakisugi Sound System is an experimental sound object developed by Studio Ambre through an intensive material research process that connects traditional craft knowledge with contemporary audio design—an artisanal pursuit of acoustic precision shared by cutting-edge sound venues where Apple Music Hall opens inside Battersea Power Station in London.
Drawing inspiration from the Japanese yakisugi method of surface charring, the project investigates how controlled burning can modify wood both visually and acoustically. Resonating with monolithic audio sculptures like Yont Studio’s spatial DJ booth, the result is a functional sound object that treats its physical enclosure as an active acoustic and architectural presence.
The Studio Ambre project began with extensive testing on oak samples to understand how fire could transform density, porosity, and surface micro-relief. Instead of following historical yakisugi procedures exactly, the studio adapted its underlying principle to meet the demands of a precision sound device.
Each burn created unique patterns and subtle deformations, producing a textured skin that interacts with light and vibration while maintaining structural integrity suitable for audio performance.
After the charring phase, the altered wood is stabilized using a transparent resin that penetrates the surface and fixes the carbonized layer. This step preserves the tactile irregularities while preventing material degradation over time.
The resin treatment also enhances durability against humidity and handling, allowing the speaker to function as a long-lasting object. The preserved burn marks become a permanent record of heat, time, and manual control.
Every unit displays slight variations caused by differences in grain direction, temperature exposure, and finishing. These nuances ensure that no two pieces are identical, turning each speaker into a singular artefact shaped by process and material response.
The visible traces of fire operate as both ornament and documentation, communicating the stages of fabrication through colour gradients and relief patterns across the oak surface.
The internal acoustic system was developed in collaboration with Phase Audio Systems to guarantee accurate sound reproduction within the unconventional wooden body.
Careful tuning aligns the resonance of the enclosure with the drivers, balancing warmth and clarity. This partnership integrates technical audio engineering with experimental craft, ensuring that the expressive exterior is matched by reliable sonic output. Exploring a parallel devotion to raw materiality and tectonic presence, designer Haydn von Werp’s Arcus series translates stone, wood, and architectural fragments into monolithic collectible furniture.
Studio Ambre positions burnt wood as a contemporary design language capable of influencing performance, durability, and perception. Fire is used as a tool of transformation that gives oak a new acoustic role while preserving the memory of its alteration.
Through iterative testing and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the project demonstrates how material treatment can shape both appearance and listening experience in a single cohesive object.
Photography by @luchorangel, with courtesy of Studio Ambre
