ARTPRESSO DESiGN
A Vision Realized

Artpresso Studio Series

Custom Espresso Machines

Artpresso Studio transforms espresso machines through individual commissions, bringing a considered approach to form, materials and finish. Each project begins with a vision for how the machine should look, feel and belong in its setting.

Featured here are three La Marzocco machines redesigned for Jimmy Butler and BIGFACE—the Strada, Leva and Linea Mini. Together, they explore a shared design direction across café, home and travel.

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  • White cast side frame of the BIGFACE Strada with the internal plumbing visible
  • Polished steam knob on the BIGFACE Strada marked BF EXT beside the smile logo
  • BIGFACE portafilter in the group with a red Remove Before Flight tag attached
  • Two BIGFACE badged espresso grinders beside a white puq press tamper
  • Glass side panel on the custom BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada showing the internal plumbing through the etched grid, with the red BIGFACE logo on the white body
  • Three group heads of the custom BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada with BIGFACE portafilters and red REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT tags, beneath the star-perforated cup tray
  • Custom BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada from the side, the round glass window revealing the internals beside the three group heads and white drip tray

La Marzocco Strada: From Original to Individual

The BIGFACE Strada commission began with a clear intention: express the brand’s identity while preserving the character of the original machine. Glass side panels reveal its inner workings through an etched BIGFACE grid, making the machine’s engineering part of its visual identity.

A custom-shaped cup rail, polished stainless steel steam levers and laser-cut cup tray panels carry the design through to the details. A white powder-coated structure provides a clean backdrop for the red BIGFACE logo.

  • Hand-drawn pencil sketch of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada, close on the front corner and triangular side window
    ConceptOne of several concepts drawn for the BIGFACE team, working out proportion, panel shape and hardware.
  • Corner detail of a standard three-group La Marzocco Strada, stainless front panel with one group head and portafilter
    BeforeA standard three-group Strada, as it left the factory. La Marzocco built the platform to be customized.
  • Hand-drawn pencil sketch looking across the BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada cup tray, star perforations laid out across the top panel
    ConceptThe BIGFACE star pattern set out across what became the laser-cut top cup tray panels.
  • Corner detail of a standard La Marzocco Strada from the rear three-quarter, rounded dark side panel and cast leg
    BeforeThe same machine from the side, panels and factory finish untouched.
  • Hand-drawn pencil sketch of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada steam knob and the BF-EXT marking on the side panel
    ConceptA study for the polished stainless steel steam wand levers, with the BF—EXT marking beside them.
  • Unfinished La Marzocco Strada side frame on the workbench with its copper plumbing and solenoids exposed
    In progressStripped to the cast frame on the bench, plumbing and solenoids exposed.
  • Hand-drawn pencil sketch of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada top corner, star-perforated tray and the grid cut into the side window
    ConceptThe top corner, the star tray and the etched grid that would be cut into the side window.
  • Custom white La Marzocco Strada with the etched BIGFACE grid side panel fitted during assembly
    In progressThe glass side panel fitted — the internal workings left on show through the etched BIGFACE grid.
  • Hand-drawn pencil sketch of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Strada bottomless portafilter on the drip tray with a REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT tag
    ConceptThe bottomless portafilter, drawn with its tag.
  • Custom BIGFACE cup tray panel and machine parts with printed BIGFACE packaging in the Artpresso workshop
    In progressTemplates cut from sturdy cardboard, used to prove the proportions and fit of each component before it was made.
  • Hand-drawn pencil sketch of the BIGFACE badge plate on the La Marzocco Strada, a machined cap in front and a BIGFACE-banded grinder hopper behind
    ConceptThe BIGFACE badge plate, a machined cap and the grinder hopper behind it.
Custom BIGFACE La Marzocco Leva three group lever machine on a dark plinth

La Marzocco Leva: Designed for Its Setting

Commissioned for Jimmy Butler’s home, the Leva carries the BIGFACE design direction into a personal setting. Its distinctive lever groups provide the starting point for a redesign that brings the machine’s form, finishes and surrounding space into conversation.

  • Hand-drawn marker rendering of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Leva lever groups and brass BIGFACE badge
  • Jimmy Butler seated on his kitchen counter at home holding a BIGFACE cup, with the commissioned La Marzocco Leva behind him
  • Hand-drawn rendering of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Leva lever group, brass cap and the gold BIGFACE badge set into the round side window
  • Hand-drawn rendering of the gold BIGFACE wordmark on the La Marzocco Leva top rail above the star-perforated drip panel
  • Black star-perforated cup tray on the BIGFACE La Marzocco Leva with a raised gold BIGFACE nameplate on the rail
  • BIGFACE La Marzocco Leva three group lever espresso machine in black and cream with gold levers and brass fittings
  • Round side window of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Leva with the gold BIGFACE medallion and brass handle
  • Gold BIGFACE nameplate on the top rail of the La Marzocco Leva above the cream body with the etched BIGFACE mark
  • Close view of the brass cap and machined arm of a BIGFACE Leva lever

La Marzocco Linea Mini: The Ritual Travels

Created as Jimmy Butler’s travel machine, the Linea Mini carries the BIGFACE design direction into a compact format. The commission extends the visual character of the larger machines while giving the Mini an identity of its own.

A familiar coffee ritual, expressed through a machine designed to accompany it.

  • Custom black BIGFACE La Marzocco Linea Mini espresso machine seen from the front three-quarter on a black surface
  • Jimmy Butler carrying his BIGFACE La Marzocco Linea Mini espresso machine outdoors
  • Star-perforated top tray and drip tray of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Linea Mini seen from above
  • Rear panel of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Linea Mini carrying the BIGFACE wordmark
  • Front view of the BIGFACE La Marzocco Linea Mini with its gauges, group head and portafilter
  • BIGFACE La Marzocco Linea Mini from the side showing the group head and steam wand

Beyond the Machine

A commission rarely stops at the machine. Alongside the Strada, the Leva and the Linea Mini, Artpresso designed a range of BIGFACE accessories drawn in the same visual language.

Selected pieces from this and other brand work are gathered in Brand Collections.

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