Award-winning design does more than shape how a fully automatic coffee machine looks. It enhances the guest experience, strengthens brand presence and turns every interaction into an opportunity to communicate
A premium-looking coffee machine can still fall short in a busy hospitality setting. If staff struggle to use it, guests hesitate at the screen, or optional equipment looks like an afterthought, appearance alone offers little value to the operator.
That is the challenge Franke Coffee Systems set out to address with its New A Line of fully automatic coffee machines. Its design brings together the machine’s appearance, touchscreen interaction and practical details used during daily service. The aim is a coffee experience that feels considered from the first glance through to the finished beverage.
The new A600 and A800 share a consistent design language across different configurations and add-ons. For businesses with multiple service settings or locations, that means they can select the equipment each site needs while maintaining a coherent look. The integrated touchscreen supports beverage selection and operation, while the Dynamic Spout Light gives users visual feedback as the machine works.
The New A Line has received the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 and the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026. In a new short video, Michael Thurnherr, founder of Swiss design studio 2ND WEST, explains the design decisions behind the range, including its materials, modularity, and the way physical and digital elements work together.
For operators, the question is whether design still works when the morning rush begins. Franke’s approach places that everyday test at the centre of the New A Line.
Find out more about the thinking behind the New A Line and hear from Michael Thurnherr here.
