Raising the bar for espresso machines

Milan architect continues series of user-friendly designs
By Mark Curtis

Since its invention a century ago by Milan engineer Luigi Bezzera, the espresso machine has largely been an industrial design with a focus on function. This is hardly surprising, since its primary intent is to deliver tiny perfect cups of coffee with workhorse-like efficiency (the word espresso has a triple meaning - fast, pressed, and by individual request). Design form has begun to creep into the equation, however. A decade ago, Milan architect and designer Luca Trazzi raised the design bar on a home version of the traditional espresso machine with his X1 model for Trieste-based manufacturer FrancisFrancis.

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