LAVAZZA Teams Up with Student to Create Concrete Coffee Machine

What does it take to reimagine the classic espresso machine—not just as a tool, but as a piece of tactile, sculptural design? Most home and café espresso setups prioritize function, sleek metal finishes, and brand consistency. But sometimes, the future of coffee hardware looks less like brushed steel and more like raw architectural material. One such experiment asks: Can concrete, often associated with brutalist architecture and urban infrastructure, become a vessel for refined coffee brewing?

LAVAZZA, the historic Italian coffee brand, challenged art student Shmuel Linski to design a new kind of espresso machine. The result is a one-off coffee appliance built entirely from concrete and reinforced steel—an unconventional material choice that breaks sharply from the polished chrome and stainless steel norms of traditional machines.

Why Concrete? Breaking the Espresso Machine Mold

Traditionally, espresso machines are crafted from stainless steel or aluminum—materials chosen for durability, heat conductivity, and a professional aesthetic. LAVAZZA’s collaboration with Shmuel Linski intentionally avoided these familiar materials. Instead, the machine was constructed using concrete, a rough, textured, and weighty medium more commonly seen in building construction than in kitchen appliances. This choice wasn’t merely aesthetic; it was conceptual, aiming to recontextualize the role and form of the espresso machine in both domestic and artistic spaces.

The Design: Rough Texture, Refined Function

The LAVAZZA x Shmuel Linski coffee machine diverges visually and materially from conventional designs. While most espresso machines feature smooth curves, polished surfaces, and minimalist control panels, this prototype embraces a raw, unfinished look. The concrete body gives it an industrial, almost monumental presence. Despite the coarse exterior, the machine reportedly retains the functional finesse expected of high-end espresso equipment—delivering a strong visual contrast between its rugged form and precise brewing capability. Images of the machine highlight its monolithic build, with

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showcasing its unique texture and form.

Art Meets Function: A Student’s Vision Realized

Shmuel Linski, an art student whose background likely blends industrial design with conceptual artistry, was tasked by LAVAZZA to push the boundaries of how a coffee machine could look and feel. The collaboration resulted in a device that is less about blending into a kitchen counter and more about making a statement. The use of concrete introduces a tactile heaviness and permanence, contrasting with the often ephemeral nature of daily coffee consumption. The design also hints at sustainability and material innovation, though specific technical brewing specs—like temperature stability, pressure consistency, or brew group material—are not disclosed in the project details.

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illustrate how the machine balances its stark materiality with functional form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the LAVAZZA concrete coffee machine available for purchase?

No, the concrete coffee machine created by Shmuel Linski for LAVAZZA is a one-off design project, not a mass-produced or commercially available product. It was developed as a creative collaboration to explore alternative materials and forms in espresso machine design.

What material is the experimental LAVAZZA coffee machine made from?

The machine is made from concrete combined with reinforced steel. This choice of material is highly unconventional in the espresso machine industry, where stainless steel and aluminum dominate due to their thermal properties and durability.

Who designed the concrete LAVAZZA coffee machine?

The machine was designed by Shmuel Linski, an art student, in collaboration with LAVAZZA. Linski was tasked with reimagining the traditional espresso machine, resulting in a prototype that uses concrete as its primary material.

Does the concrete coffee machine brew espresso like conventional machines?

The article does not provide specific technical details about the brewing capabilities, pressure levels, or temperature control of the concrete coffee machine. While it is designed with function in mind, the focus of the project was primarily on material innovation and aesthetic design.

Why would LAVAZZA collaborate with an art student on coffee equipment?

LAVAZZA worked with Shmuel Linski to challenge conventional design norms and explore how coffee machines could look and feel beyond traditional industrial forms. The project reflects creative experimentation rather than a commercial product launch.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Concrete Machine Experiments

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit complexity—both shine when brewed with precision, as the striking design of a concrete machine might inspire. For something richer, their Black Cocoa Blend offers deep chocolate and caramel tones, balancing the industrial aesthetic with indulgent flavour. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.