Unavela designs aluminium coffee cup using CNC precision and bead blasted finish
A machined aluminium espresso cup by Unavela repositions a familiar object through precision manufacturing and controlled surface treatment. Aluminium Coffee Cup is developed in the south of France as a functional set where CNC processes and bead-blasted finishes define both form and use, introducing an industrial logic to everyday coffee rituals.
Machined from a single block of Aluminium 6061, the cup is produced using CNC technology to achieve exact tolerances and consistency—echoing the minimalist restraint of Luis Frey’s CNC-milled Khora Vase. This method, rooted in aerospace manufacturing, informs both the geometry and the weight of the object. Compact in scale at 70 × 44 × 44 mm with a volume of 50 millilitres, the proportions are calibrated specifically for espresso, balancing thermal mass and handling.
The surface is bead-blasted to create a fine matte texture that softens the reflectivity of the metal while preserving its structural clarity. A transparent food-grade anodisation is then applied, protecting the aluminium and ensuring durability in daily use. The set includes a square saucer measuring 125 × 125 × 10 mm, where sharp edges and controlled thickness extend the same material language. Together, cup and saucer rely on proportion, finish, and weight to define their presence without decorative intervention.
Each piece is assembled and inspected by hand in the atelier, where the entire process—from sketch to final production—is directed internally. This controlled workflow allows Unavela to maintain continuity between technical execution and visual intent, ensuring that every object reflects the same level of precision established in its design.
Founded by Javier and Anaïs after six years in the aerospace industry, Unavela approaches everyday objects through engineering rigor and formal restraint. Aluminium Coffee Cup marks the first edition in an ongoing series, positioning functional tools as considered objects designed to be used, retained, and gradually integrated into daily life through material consistency and measured form.
All images courtesy of Unavela
