Titanium Makina sa Kape by Carl Mertens is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award nga Bulawan in Disenyo sa Kasangkapan sa Panimalay Competition Category.

BulawanKasangkapan sa Panimalay· 2026

Titanium Makina sa Kape

by Carl Mertens

Client: Carl Mertens

A' Design Award nga Bulawan Winner in Kasangkapan sa Panimalay Category

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Colors

The Design

About Titanium Makina sa Kape

Ang Titanium usa ka compact nga semiautomatic nga makina sa kape nga gihimo alang sa mga kusina nga limitado ang luna sa counter. Ang lingin nga lawas niini gi-injection mold ug gipintalan og low saturation nga cyan, dayon gidayandayanan og brushed nga stainless steel. Ang transparent nga display zone ug mga epekto sa suga tin-aw nga nagpakita sa kahimtang sa makina. Ang mga indicator light sa pag-align sa portafilter naggiya sa tukma nga pagbutang. Ang shower screen ug filter basket hinimo gikan sa lunsay nga titanium, nga antibacterial ug dili dali madaot sa taya. Ang matangtang nga grinding unit nagpasayon sa paglimpyo ug pagmentinar.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award nga Bulawan

Titanium Makina sa Kape usa ka mananaog sa A' Design Award nga Bulawan, usa ka hilabihan ka prestihiyoso nga pag-ila nga gihatag sa unang-klase, katingalahan, ug bantogan nga mga disenyo. Ang mga mananaog sa Bulawan labihan ka bag-o, daghan og panan-aw, ug nagsidlak nga mga paglalang nga nagpakita sa henyo, kinaadman, ug kahanas sa ilang mga tigdesinyo. Gilauman nga ang Titanium Makina sa Kape mahimong labing gidayeg, nagtakda og uso, ug monumental nga imbento nga naghatag og bili nga wala pa makita. Kini nga disenyo nga nakadaog og A' Design Award nga Bulawan usa ka makapahingangha ug gitahod nga proyekto nga labihan ka mapuslanon ug nagpalapad sa mga utlanan sa arte, siyensya, disenyo, ug teknolohiya. Titanium Makina sa Kape nagmugna og kusog nga mga pagbati sa kaibog, nagpukaw og kahinam, nagdasig sa pagkamamugnaon, ug nagbihag kanato.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
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.
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.
Team Members: Heping Zhou
Jijia Wu
Guitao Mei