Iron Home Appliances Design · 2026
308a Multicapsule Coffee Machine
by Nicola Zanetti and Federico Bosque
- A' Design Award 2026 Iron Winner in Home Appliances Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Segnoinverso
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 4,445
- Verification code 7CB98AC424 · Verify this award
About 308a Multicapsule Coffee Machine
308a is a multicapsule coffee machine designed for home and office use. The machine accepts capsules, pods and ground coffee, and prepares espresso, long coffee, tea and milk based drinks. A pressure pump and fast heating support consistent extraction and crema. Temperature and volume can be adjusted for different tastes. The body is made of injection molded ABS with continuous surfaces and soft transitions that reduce visual complexity. The capsule is inserted, the top handle is closed and the drink is selected through the touch interface.
Nicola Zanetti's 308a Multicapsule Coffee Machine occupies a distinctive position within the evolving landscape of domestic appliance design, where functional objects increasingly aspire to sculptural presence and aesthetic significance within residential environments, transforming utilitarian coffee preparation into an opportunity for design expression that celebrates both technical innovation and visual delight. This single-serve brewing system demonstrates sophisticated formal development through its asymmetrical volumetric composition, where a gracefully curving body shell in radiant golden-amber thermoplastic establishes immediate visual warmth and approachable character while maintaining the refined surface quality and precise edge definition characteristic of premium industrial design, the high-gloss finish achieving mirror-like reflectivity that animates surrounding light and imbues the object with luminous vitality. The designer's chromatic strategy proves particularly accomplished, deploying a triadic palette of warm amber-gold, neutral matte black, and cool polished metallic elements that creates dynamic visual interest through temperature contrast while avoiding chromatic discord, the golden hue suggesting both morning sunlight and the warm tones of brewed coffee itself, establishing thematic coherence between the machine's appearance and its function. Compositional sophistication emerges through the S-curve silhouette that rises from a stable circular base, ascends through a vertical black core housing the brewing mechanism, then sweeps backward and upward to the capsule insertion assembly, this dynamic form language conveying operational narrative and suggesting the upward flow of heated water through the system while maintaining visual balance despite pronounced asymmetry. Material differentiation serves both functional clarity and aesthetic richness, with matte black surfaces defining structural zones and operational interfaces, glossy amber polymer establishing the machine's personality and shelf presence, transparent elements revealing water capacity, and metallic accents providing tactile refinement at key interaction points. The inclusion of a glass cup containing freshly brewed espresso with visible crema operates as both scale reference and narrative completion, demonstrating the machine's output and inviting viewers to imagine the sensory pleasure of the brewing ritual, while the small cyan and coral accent details at the crown add unexpected chromatic vitality that prevents the design from becoming overly serious or corporate. Technical execution throughout exhibits the precise surface continuity, seamless part integration, and refined detail resolution that distinguishes accomplished industrial design from merely adequate functional objects, suggesting sophisticated tooling, rigorous quality control, and attention to the experiential dimensions of everyday appliance interaction. This work invites consideration of how domestic objects participate in the visual and emotional atmospheres of contemporary homes, asking viewers to contemplate whether machines that serve daily rituals might carry aesthetic and expressive dimensions beyond pure utility, and whether the thoughtful integration of color, form, material, and light can transform routine coffee preparation into moments of small but genuine domestic pleasure.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This coffee machine stands out for its exceptional versatility, combining multiple brewing systems in one compact device. It is compatible with a wide range of capsules, ESE pods, and ground coffee, allowing users to prepare espresso, long coffee, tea, and milk-based drinks. A 19-bar pressure system and fast heating ensure rich extraction and consistent crema, while adjustable temperatures and volumes offer a highly personalized brewing experience for different tastes and beverages.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 124x317x290h 1400 W 20bar pump
- Tags
- multicapsule, capsule, pod, espresso, cappuccino, coffee, machine
- Production Technology
- ABS injection molding
- Design Challenge
- The creative challenge was to design a coffee machine that feels friendly and approachable while standing out in a crowded market of technical-looking products. The goal was to achieve a fluid, compact form with continuous surfaces that visually soften the object and reduce perceived complexity. The design avoids aggressive geometries, aiming instead for a balanced and timeless aesthetic that can naturally fit into different environments, from domestic kitchens to office spaces.
- Project Duration
- Italy, 03/2022 to 06/2022
- Operation Flow
- The machine is designed for intuitive and seamless operation. The user inserts the preferred capsule or coffee pod, using the dedicated holder, close the top handle, selects the desired beverage setting through the touch interface, and starts brewing with a single action. Visual indicators guide each step, while automatic dosing and flow control simplify the interaction, creating a smooth and effortless coffee-making experience.
- Research
- The design research began with a detailed benchmark analysis of existing single-serve coffee machines, identifying limits in compactness, visual coherence, and user perception. Early concepts were explored through sketches to define proportions and fluidity, followed by 3D models to refine volumes around internal components. Prototyping was used to validate ergonomics and visual balance. CMF studies finalized the design, enhancing surface continuity, tactile quality, and integration in different environments.
- Inspiration
- The design is inspired by the idea of fluidity and the expressive nature of liquid in motion. Soft, continuous surfaces flow seamlessly from one volume to another, creating a sense of natural continuity and visual calm. The form avoids sharp interruptions, favoring smooth transitions that recall the movement of water and coffee extraction itself. This fluid geometry conveys lightness, precision, and harmony, transforming a compact machine into an intuitive and elegant object.