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Coffee time

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Three winning projects have been chosen in the “Espresso, Spazio/tempo del caffè” competition, organised by illycaffè in conjunction with domus. Innovation, approach and cultural context were the criteria used by the jury to make their selections. Edited by Loredana Mascheroni. Photography by Ramak Fazel


How and in what kind of spaces is the coffee ritual carried out today? Illycaffè and domus put the question to young artists, architects and designers from around the world who were all under 35. They were asked to think about “spaces for a break and dialogue” in contemporary urban life, focusing on that social hub and great urban window that is the bar. The appeal received 704 responses, equally divided between foreigners and Italians – 350 and 354 to be precise. Of these, just 14 passed the first selection filter to form the group of finalists, with prizes being awarded to three and special mentions to another three. The selection of the winners was entrusted to a heterogeneous jury, so that the projects could be appraised from various viewpoints. The jury had no doubts about its choice for the most innovative project, the one that succeeded in relating consumption of the Italian beverage as a moment dedicated to knowledge and discovery, not to mention combining it with a recycling effort. The other ingredients are provided by the bar patrons who do all sorts of things in this space: read the newspaper, chat, sunbathe, write, wait for a plane, surf the Internet, look and be looked at, all amidst the wafting aroma of the brown beverage.

1st Classification
Break in movement – Chile
Mauricio Bruna Fruns (with Alejandro Antonio Gandarillas Fernández, Pablo Javier Muñoz Bahamonde and Juan Pablo Vargas)

An escalator functions as a coffee machine and an artistic device. Coffee is served at the beginning of an escalator and the time it takes to reach the top can be used to savour the cup of coffee or for a rapid view of an art exhibition; at the top of the escalator the cup is thrown in a dispenser which will press it so as to transform it into a ticket for an exhibition or a show, or into a postcard.

2nd Classification
(s)fondo caffè – Italy
Matteo Fioravanti (with Giacomo Fioravanti, Iacopo Frassanito, Nicola Jannucci)

To make coffee drinking an endless ritual, also after it’s over. This project aims at developing a network which ensures that the coffee grounds are collected from the bars around the city and accumulated in areas in which trees have been planted. In this way, the folk tradition of using coffee grounds for organic plant fertilisation becomes an opportunity for a collective project.

3rd Classification
Coffee carpet – the Netherlands
Frederica Rijkenberg (with Sander Vedder)

The coffee place is defined by a big red carpet lying on the ground, where the chairs and tables are like natural ripples in the carpet, to be crossed by chance. The act of stopping here and there becomes a spontaneous and informal event.

Special mention
caffè relativo - Italy
Eugenio Gargioni (with Paola Traversa)

The place is defined by the tray-object and its use. The only certain reference element is the counter. The tray/coffee table is a module that multiplies, gets together and breaks up into the surrounding space; its thin metal rows act as a bearing element.
Special mention
Naturalmente-illy - Italy
Giacomo Palmieri (with Silvia Dall’Ara, Chiara Prandini, Davide Vason, Paola Vita)

The design shows a refreshment-booth which, as a chameleon, can virtually fit everywhere. Its skin, defined by simple wood staves, can also grow into ivy which accounts for the elapsing of seasons by the changing of its colour. It is conceived as a sheltered place or a bench on which you can simply sit and rest.

Special mention
illy self service - Belgium

Thomas Lommee

Self-service unit that supplies, besides coffee, several tools and services; pens, paper, printers, music CD’s… All you may need to work and spend you time. The bar table thus becomes a desk on which you can work and perform different activities.
<b>1st Classification 
Break in movement – Chile</b>. Mauricio Bruna Fruns (with Alejandro Antonio Gandarillas Fernández, Pablo Javier Muñoz Bahamonde and Juan Pablo Vargas)
1st Classification Break in movement – Chile. Mauricio Bruna Fruns (with Alejandro Antonio Gandarillas Fernández, Pablo Javier Muñoz Bahamonde and Juan Pablo Vargas)
1° Classificato Break in movement
1° Classificato Break in movement
<b>2nd Classification 
(s)fondo caffè</b> – Italy. Matteo Fioravanti (with Giacomo Fioravanti, Iacopo Frassanito, Nicola Jannucci)
2nd Classification (s)fondo caffè – Italy. Matteo Fioravanti (with Giacomo Fioravanti, Iacopo Frassanito, Nicola Jannucci)
<b>3rd Classification 
Coffee carpet</b> – The Netherlands. Frederica Rijkenberg (with Sander Vedder)
3rd Classification Coffee carpet – The Netherlands. Frederica Rijkenberg (with Sander Vedder)
<b>Special mention 
caffè relativo</b> - Italy. Eugenio Gargioni (with Paola Traversa)
Special mention caffè relativo - Italy. Eugenio Gargioni (with Paola Traversa)
<b>Special mention 
Naturalmente-illy</b> - Italy. Giacomo Palmieri (with Silvia Dall’Ara, Chiara Prandini, Davide Vason, Paola Vita)
Special mention Naturalmente-illy - Italy. Giacomo Palmieri (with Silvia Dall’Ara, Chiara Prandini, Davide Vason, Paola Vita)
<b>Special mention 
illy self service</b> - Belgium. Thomas Lommee
Special mention illy self service - Belgium. Thomas Lommee

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