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A Gentler Approach to Making Coffee With LAYER’s Breeze

02.23.23 | By
A Gentler Approach to Making Coffee With LAYER’s Breeze

We may prefer our coffee strong and unadulterated, but a coffee maker itself doesn’t have to abide by such strict conventions of caffeinated design. Benjamin Hubert’s design agency LAYER takes on a softer geometric approach to the kitchen appliance with a gentle palette and tactile functionality designed to keep simplicity at the forefront of every cup brewed.

Hand reaching from right side pressing button controls on top of the Breeze coffeemaker in white.

The Breeze is a softly modern coffee brewing appliance conceived for Korean food corporation Dongsuh. While the design firm attributes its mild modernity to the influence of mid-century design language, it’s also hard not to recognize some semblance to Naoto Fukasawa’s line of kitchen appliances for MUJI. All share a conscious attention to detail – “micro considerations” – each conceived not just to improve functionality, but also aware of the importance of designing objects imagined to visually and spatially cohabitate within a domestic interior peacefully.

Front view of charcoal-black Breeze coffee maker against dark gray background with small glass cup filled with brewed coffee.

Breeze coffeemaker disassembled to show all of its parts.

The Breeze is composed of a simple arrangement of block forms, with a head that cantilevers from the body and an adjustable drip tray that doubles as a platform for a glass or coffee mug.

White and black Breeze coffeemakers shown back to back contrast.

White, light pink and black modern coffee makers from front angle perspective.

The resulting compact design offers an almost PEZ candy-like charm, inviting a touch across all of its surfaces. The coffeemaker’s concise and narrow profile is accentuated by a tall water tank and a ridged wrap-around base finished in matte white, charcoal, and light pastel pink, while the Breeze’s controls are equally simple, a tactile iconographic interface comprising just four backlit buttons.

X-ray revealing interior mechanical and electronic components of Breeze coffee maker from the side.

No word yet about the machine’s proficiency at preparing a proper cup of coffee, but like a good single origin roast, the Breeze’s softened simplicity already appeals to one of our senses nary any additives.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.