This pour over coffee maker was designed and produced by me in my Form and Structure course with Dennis Svoronos. I took inspiration from the architecture of Boston, specifically the Christian Science Center Plaza, with its round sweeping concrete surrounding a large reflecting pool, with the steel and glass buildings of downtown Boston sitting in the background. Making pour over coffee is a slow and meditative process that requires focus and intention, and I chose steel and concrete to exemplify these qualities. This project required a solid understanding of material, craftsmanship, sketching, Rhino, Cura, and 3D printing techniques.

The process for this project began with sketching, but quickly moved to 3D modeling (Rhino) and physical prototyping (3D printing and paper models) in order to better understand the form. Once I had a good idea of the size and scale, I worked with Dennis to create the bent steel bar, while I created a 3D print "positive" to create a silicone mold for the concrete. The process of mixing and pouring concrete is fairly straightforward, but getting a clean pour with the bottom of the steel covered and half of the steel exposed took some creativity. By molding an extra hole with the rough diameter of the steel bar, and cutting a line through the wooden support box, I was able to slot the steel bar in properly and complete the construction. The final material came out very dense and smooth, although if I had another go at it I may search for a more plasticized concrete to resist cracking over time.