The Starbucks Phantom Espresso machine is a specialized coffee maker that would transform the experience for both the barista and the customer in a cafe by highlighting an open-concept design. The espresso machine has a tower-inspired design that is far less bulky than the existing equipment in the brand's coffeehouses and is achieved by moving the components under the counter. The espresso would then be pulled upwards into see-through fluted vases in order to create something of a visual experience for customers before being poured into a cup for serving.
The Starbucks Phantom Espresso machine is the design work of Starbucks Industrial Design, Starbucks Equipment Development and Thermoplan AG, and identifies what could be the next step for the brand to enhance customer experiences.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Open-concept Cafe Design
- A trend towards open-concept cafe designs, like the Starbucks Phantom Espresso machine, could revolutionize the way customers interact with their baristas and change the aesthetics of cafes.
- Compact Beverage Equipment
- Compact and efficient beverage equipment, like the Phantom Espresso machine, could be a trend in the coffee industry, as it could reduce the space needed for equipment and bring new visual appeal to coffee shops.
- Visual Experiences
- The use of see-through fluted vases to create a visual experience, like the one showcased by the Phantom Espresso machine, could become a popular trend among coffee makers and cafes to add unique experiences for customers.
Where This Applies
- Coffee Shops
- Coffee shops could take advantage of the open-concept design trend to create more aesthetic, visually appealing spaces, such as the one enabled by the Phantom Espresso machine.
- Beverage Equipment Manufacturing
- The compact and visually appealing design demonstrated by the Phantom Espresso machine could represent an opportunity for equipment manufacturers to explore new aesthetic and functional possibilities.
- Industrial Design and Engineering
- The development of more compact and visually interesting beverage equipment designs could represent a significant disruptive innovation opportunity for industrial design and engineering companies, as shown by the Phantom Espresso machine.
