A minimalist vison, perfected
Zowa’s design philosophy is grounded in clarity. Materials lead and function follows. Every detail has purpose. Nothing is added without reason, without excess or distraction. “When I was a little kid I was always making stuff in my father’s garage. Back then it was mainly made out of wood. But the feeling of wanting to create something out of nothing has always been there,” says Zowa.
This early impulse shaped his path. “My first project that was somewhat in line with what I’m doing now was my graduation project. I created 30 identical cubes, each held together using a different connection method — without glue, nails, or screws. That’s really where I discovered my fascination with how things are made. The only difference is that now everything is made out of metal.” Today, that mindset defines his work.
The ALU 03 coffee cart – a personal ritual turned into a design object
From an early age, coffee shaped the daily rhythm of Zowa. What started as a habit became a ritual. And eventually, a design vision. “Since I moved out of my parents’ house, I’ve always had an espresso machine in my dorm room next to my bed,” he says. “Now it felt like the right time to create something bigger. I’ve always dreamed of a fully aluminium coffee station – so this was the moment.” As a result, the ALU 03 came to life. It translates passion into form: clean, functional and timeless.
Coffee culture meets interior design
Coffee is no longer just a beverage. It becomes part of the home, a reflection of taste, and a daily moment of pause. The ALU 03 makes this connection visible. Coffee preparation turns intentional. The coffee cart is built for an ECM machine set — the same machine set Zowa uses at home. A design object reflecting the same dedication to true craftsmanship that defines ECM machines and grinders: handmade, timeless and durable. Built to last, not to be replaced. Crafted to blend seamlessly into any interior while elevating the coffee experience.
Crafted for the perfect coffee experience
Three words define the ALU 03. As Zowa explains, “Minimal. Fair. Structural.”
Minimal – because every line serves a purpose.
Fair – because what you see is what you get. No coatings. No hidden layers.
Structural – because construction itself becomes the design.
Without welds, glue, or screws, the design relies on intelligent connections. Each element reveals how it is made, and every joint becomes a detail worth noticing. This approach creates a new aesthetic: Clean, precise and honest.
Experience the art of espresso at Milan Design Week
Milan Design Week (April 21–26, 2026) is one of the world’s leading design events. It transforms the city of Milan into a global hub for creativity, with more than 1,850 events and over 200,000 visitors. The event combines the professional trade fair Salone del Mobile with the city-wide Fuorisalone, an open festival spread across 19 design districts.
The ALU 03 coffee station was part of Solidified – from matter to form, an exhibition during Milan Design Week. The exhibition explores contrast and coexistence. Objects meet materials. Ideas move in constant tension. And from this emerges an unexpected sense of unity.
A barista served espresso live from the ECM machine setup. Visitors shared cups of coffee. Conversations formed naturally. Moments were exchanged. And the ritual became something collective, something to celebrate. At the heart of the installation stood the Technika VI paired with the C-Automatik 54, installed by ECM authorized dealer Espresso Coffee Shop.
When design and purpose align, simplicity becomes powerful
Today’s interiors demand clarity, with less noise and more intention. At the same time, metal furniture is rising, while simplicity becomes luxury and honest materials gain value.
The coffee cart responds to this shift by offering a clean presence and a clear function. A strong identity. At the same time, it meets a growing demand. Coffee enthusiasts seek elegant stations. Spaces that showcase their machine setups, not hide them. As Zowa puts it: “I believe that creating something clean and understandable helps people better engage with an object and perhaps appreciate the smaller, simpler things in life.”
The ALU 03 shows how functional objects can also enrich living spaces as true design statements.
