Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi by Somya Chowdhary

Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi by Somya Chowdhary is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Uʻamea in Mea Tolauapi'i Competition Category.

UʻameaMea Tolauapi'i· 2026

Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi

by Somya Chowdhary

Client: Somya Chowdhary

A' Design Award Uʻamea Winner in Mea Tolauapi'i Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi

O le Moka Max o se ulo espresso feaveaʻi ua fuafuaina mo le faʻaaogaina i fafo. O le tino autū ua faia i le masini CNC mai le uʻamea sima 304 e saogalemu mo meaʻai, ma o le pito i fafo e iai ona laina maualuluga ua faia i le masini vili ma faʻamaeʻaina i se ufiufi PVD e tetee atu i maʻila. O se faiga e tolu vaega e fesoʻotaʻi ma pipiʻi faʻatasi, ina ia leai se vaega e tuulafoaʻia i le vao. O vaega e paʻi i ai lima ua ufitia i le TPU mo se uʻu mautu i tau ogaoga. O pusa kofe e mafai ona pala faʻanatura e uuina le kofe ma faafaigofie ai le faʻamamāina. O se maea ua tuufaatasia e faʻamautu ai le ulo i le taimi o femalagaiga. O le fua o le ulo e 75 i le 75 i le 185 milimita.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Uʻamea

O le A' Design Award Uʻamea na manumalo ai Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi, o se faamaoniga mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu lelei e faataunuu ai manaʻoga faapolofesa ma pisinisi e faamoemoeina mai galuega ua mamanuina lelei. O ē manumalo i le Uʻamea e faaalia ai le tomai tele, le faapitoa maualuga, le malamalama o tagata poto ma le mafai fatufatuaʻi o ē na faia. E faamoemoeina Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi e avea ma mea ua matuā vivii, mataʻina ma pelepelea e aogā ma fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Uʻamea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili o le pisinisi ma e iai uiga faatekonolosi mafai ua fesoʻotaʻi ma le poto ma le taleni. Ona o lona faatuatuaina, e tatau ai Moka Max Ulo Espresso Feaveaʻi ona faaaloalogia ma ua mamanuina e tuuina mai ai faaleleiga o le olaga e fesoasoani e faia ai e le lalolagi se nofoaga e sili atu ona lelei.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: MokaMax Standardizes the coffee experience in non standard environments. The coffee ritual shouldnt end where the pavement does, it bridges the gap between kitchen and cliff side with a CNC machined, stainless steel body. Its ridged form provides high tactility grip, while a modular three compartment interlocking system ensures rugged portability. Secured by an adventure rope and utilizing decomposable pods, it delivers a professional, sustainable brew at any elevation.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 75mm x Depth 75mm x Height 185mm
Tags: Coffee On The Go, Portable Coffee Maker, Sustainable Coffee in the Wild, Minimal Moka Pot, Portable Brewing, Modular System, Backpacking Essentials, Minimalist Design, Eco-Friendly, Minimalistic Rugged, Rugged Aesthetic, Tactile Surface, Portable Espresso Maker, Coffee Companion
Production Technology: The MokaMax utilizes a hybrid manufacturing approach: the primary chassis is CNC-machined from 304 food-grade stainless steel for high thermal mass and durability. Internal mechanical interfaces are precision injection-molded using heat-stabilized, BPA-free polymers. Functional touchpoints feature TPU overmolding for enhanced ergonomics in extreme climates. The unique ridged exterior is achieved through lathe-turning, finished with a scratch-resistant PVD coating for a rugged, Minimalist aesthetic.
Design Challenge: The hardest part was coming up with a form that felt rugged enough to be taking on usual camping trip and hikes, while being minimal and aesthetic to be used inside a library without raising any eyebrows.
Research: MokaMax began by researching the gap between domestic coffee rituals and the wilderness. User interviews revealed a need for a mess free, sustainable brewer that wouldn't lose parts in the field. Using a modular, interlocking system, the final design ensures easy cleaning and rugged portability. Featuring an integrated hiker's rope and biodegradable pods, MokaMax combines a minimalist aesthetic with high utility performance for both the campsite and the classroom.
Inspiration: Inspired by the Moka pot's iconic hourglass geometry, MokaMax translates the domestic coffee ritual into the wilderness. Research involved a competitive analysis of market leaders to design a rugged, modular extension for the portable brewing ecosystem. The project prioritizes durability through a unique interlocking architecture for ease of assembly. Motivated by sustainability and user centric ergonomics, the design integrates decomposable pods to ensure a low impact high utility experience.
Project Duration: The Project was started in September 2024 in Washington, DC and ended in April, 2025 in Boston.
Operation Flow: MokaMax reimagines the brewing process as a series of intuitive, tactile "clicks." Inspired by the simplicity of interlocking blocks, the three-part chassis snaps together to ensure no component is ever left behind. The interaction is a seamless transformation from a compact, rugged tool into a high-performance brewer. By housing a biodegradable pod within its ridged, easy-clean stainless steel shell, MokaMax delivers a sophisticated, zero-trace ritual for the modern explorer.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Somya Chowdhary, 2026
Team Members: Somya Chowdhary
Image Credits: Image #1 - Somya Chowdhary, Optional Image #1 - Somya Chowdhary, Optional Image #2 - Somya Chowdhary, Optional Image #3 - Somya Chowdhary, Optional Image #3 - Somya Chowdhary, Optional Image #4 - Somya Chowdhary, Optional Image #5 - Somya Chowdhary