A striking chromatic dialogue between cadmium red and titanium white establishes the visual hierarchy of CARL MERTENS's Titanium Coffee Machine, where the bold vermillion housing commands immediate at

CARL MERTENS's Titanium Coffee Machine presents a compelling study in material luxury and volumetric composition, establishing a commanding presence through its bold chromatic declaration of vermillio

Polished titanium surfaces meet matte coral-red thermoplastic housing in this sophisticated countertop espresso system, where the compositional architecture establishes bilateral symmetry through a ce

CARL MERTENS's Titanium Coffee Machine presents a sophisticated exercise in industrial design wherein polished titanium and high-contrast crimson surfaces converge to establish a commanding presence w

A studio photograph presents a sophisticated espresso machine occupying the center of a graduated atmospheric background that transitions from deep steel-blue at the periphery through pearl-gray in th

Gold Home Appliances Design · 2026

Titanium Coffee Machine

by Carl Mertens

A' Design Award 2026 Gold Winner in Home Appliances Design
Awarded April 15, 2026
CLIENT: Carl Mertens
Estimated Number of Design Views: 36,302
Verification code 7A224D2A0E · Verify this award

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About Titanium Coffee Machine

Titanium is a compact semiautomatic coffee machine made for kitchens with limited counter space. The rounded body is injection molded and painted in a low saturation cyan, then accented with brushed stainless steel. A transparent display zone and lighting effects show the machine status clearly. Portafilter alignment indicator lights guide precise placement. The shower screen and filter basket are made of pure titanium, which is antibacterial and corrosion resistant. A removable grinding unit simplifies cleaning and maintenance.

CARL MERTENS's Titanium Coffee Machine represents a distinguished achievement in contemporary home appliance design, synthesizing professional-grade espresso technology with refined domestic aesthetics in a manner that elevates daily ritual to ceremonial experience. The work demonstrates masterful command of material language, deploying a bold vermillion housing that speaks to warmth, energy, and conviviality while the pristine white control interface suggests clinical precision and user-centered accessibility. Technical accomplishment manifests in the thoughtful organization of functional elements, where the central pressure gauge serves simultaneously as operational instrument and compositional anchor, surrounded by symmetrically arranged controls that invite intuitive interaction. The transparent bean hopper crowning the assembly creates visual transparency both literal and metaphorical, celebrating the raw ingredient while demonstrating mechanical process. Chrome components, including the professional portafilter and articulated steam wand, introduce industrial gravitas that positions the appliance within lineages of serious coffee culture while their lustrous surfaces animate the composition with captured light. The design appears to engage with broader conversations in contemporary object culture regarding the domestication of professional equipment, the aestheticization of functionality, and the material expression of quality through honest surfaces and precise tolerances. One might observe resonances with mid-century modernist principles of form following function while noting contemporary sensibilities toward expressive color and material juxtaposition. The viewer is invited to contemplate how designed objects mediate between efficiency and pleasure, between utility and identity, between the mechanical processes of extraction and the deeply human satisfactions of hospitality and self-care.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: This compact semiautomatic coffee machine breaks from the traditional boxy form, combining rounded vintage lines with modern lighting effects to create distinct retrofuturistic aesthetics. Features such as a transparent display zone, portafilter alignment indicator lights, and a removable grinding unit simplify operation and elevate user experience. The overall design allows coffee enthusiasts to enjoy a professional, convenient, and ritualistic coffee making experience even in limited spaces.
Dimensions & Packaging: 285mm*321mm*345mm
Tags: Retrofuturistic Aesthetics, Transparent Display Zone, Interactive Lighting, Pure Titanium Antibacterial Components, Removable Grinding Unit, Professional Experience, Compact and Space Friendly
Production Technology: The body is injection molded, polished, and spray painted for a smooth texture and an elegant cyan color. Drip tray and group head are made of brushed and polished stainless steel for a professional look. Key parts including shower screen and filter basket are made of pure titanium, which is antibacterial and corrosion resistant, ensuring safety. The top transparent bean hopper and removable grinding unit show coffee bean status, preventing clogging and facilitating cleaning and maintenance.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was to maintain the core performance of professional coffee machines while reducing overall size. The design team addressed this by reorganizing the internal structure with a modular layout to ensure stable extraction pressure within a compact form. The removable grinding unit successfully balances ease of disassembly with consistent grinding performance, allowing the small coffee machine to deliver professional level performance comparable to larger machines.
Project Duration: The project was initiated in April 2025 in Jinhua, Zhejiang. The design is expected to be completed by April 2026, with its first public presentation scheduled at the CARL MERTENS Distributor Conference. Full production will then begin in June 2026 in Jiangmen, Guangdong.
Operation Flow: The transparent display zone and lighting effects make information and machine status immediately clear. Portafilter alignment indicator lights guide precise placement, simplifying operation. Dual wide angled, ergonomically tilted, antislip detent side levers improve extraction pressure control while the short throw steam lever reduces the risk of scalding. The removable portafilter base supports based and baseless use, while the drip tray with vortex pattern shows the place for cups.
Research: Research shows the demand for professional grade coffee is steadily rising, yet urban kitchens often lack sufficient counter space for traditional large coffee machines. This product balances space efficiency and professional performance. With removable components and a compact layout, it preserves core features like professional extraction pressure while reducing its size, bringing professional coffee making into a compact space and delivering a premium coffee making experience.
Inspiration: The exterior draws on the mechanical aesthetics of classic Italian espresso machines with a distinct pressure gauge while integrating modern home aesthetics through a rounded body and a silver track, perfectly balancing vintage charm with contemporary technological appeal. An elegant low saturation cyan body accented with brushed stainless steel reinforces both professional quality and modern style.