Launched in September 2019, Victoria Arduino’s new Eagle One is a professional espresso machine that’s been designed with the barista in mind, using advanced technology to make it the most sustainable machine of its category. We chatted to Sara Gagliesi of Simonelli Group to find out more about the new machine…
What separates the Eagle One from its predecessors?
“Eagle One was born in response to the new generation of coffee shops where design, performance, and sustainability are defining factors to create a pleasant and memorable experience. We made the personalisation of the machine easy to do and it’s adaptable to different environments that range from the classical to the more glamorous. The machine's design also adjusts perfectly with various materials like wood, steel, resins, or aluminum.”
What was the inspiration behind the design?
“Eagle One is a project inspired by the culture of Italian design and also looks to the future as a symbol of modernity for Victoria Arduino. For the shape of the Eagle One, the architect Carlo Viglino was inspired by Victoria Arduino's impressive history. James Hoffmann (Coffee Opinion Leader and Author) was involved as a consultant in the development of the Eagle One – he focused on the needs of the new era coffee shops that require compact, efficient and sustainable machines.
From the very design of the coffee machine, Victoria Arduino has picked up on the industry’s needs and transformed them into technologies, also through the great collaborations with the futurist artist Leonetto Cappiello and the architect Caccia Dominioni. That's how design and innovation fuse: having a substantial impact inside the machine in correspondence with its new form.”
“Big innovation in a compact space.” Can you tell us more about this?
“The innovation of Eagle One is about its aesthetic and functional simplicity. The project completely covered all aspects – every single component was studied in relationship to the entire system. The ergonomic research of the Eagle One made it remarkably user-friendly – baristas need compact equipment that’s ergonomic and easy to use, but also capable of producing high volumes of excellent coffee for the client. That shouldn’t come at the expense of energy efficiency though.
In Eagle One, this is what drives the design. The machine is simple and extraordinarily compact, and able to respond to the new needs of the latest generation of coffee shops. The heart of the machine, the new engine (called NEO, New Engine Optimisation), is smaller but at the same time, able to deliver great performance with a reduction of energy consumption.”
Tell us about the special version of the Eagle One customised by Giulio Cappellini?
“The architect, Giulio Cappellini, art director of the Italian Manufacturer Art & Design Exhibition (I-MADE) and the international ambassador of excellence and Italian design, asked to show the Eagle One at the I-MADE exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. During that event, Victoria Arduino presented the Eagle One in a special version customised by Cappellini, who chose for the machine chrome colours and innovative materials. The customised version is a fusion of history and innovation: unique recycled wood, ecological resin and aluminum, signed by Giulio Cappellini.”
How does the Eagle One make efficient use of energy?
“With the NEO (New Engine Optimisation) technology, an important goal has been reached: obtain the same high performance while reducing energy costs. This new engine uses an instant heating system utilising only the necessary amount of water for the extraction to be heated, thus reducing energy-related expenses. The smaller boilers are insulated with a new material that avoids heat dispersion. This way, less energy is consumed.
The thermal insulation and the size reduction of the single components diminished the environmental impact substantially. The LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) demonstrated how the Eagle One has 23% less environmental impact concerning the same category machine. The new patented technology T.E.R.S. (Temperature Energy Recovery System) also contributes to the reduction. The system uses the discharged water to pre-heat the incoming water. The result is an 8% saving on total machine consumption.”
How was James Hoffmann involved in Eagle One project?
“Simonelli Group has been working with James Hoffmann for nine years. Eagle One is the third project that we’ve worked on and it’s probably the most exciting because it’s focused on the new generation of barista and coffee shop. The one that’s the biggest in scope and has the largest potential for a huge positive impact on our industry.”
Tell us about the Eagle One app?
“Eagle One is a machine born to be ‘smart’. Along with the Eagle One, anyone who buys the machine is also given a smartphone and tablet app to create a digital experience for the new generation coffee shops and baristas that enjoy sharing ideas and experiences between coffee lovers. Exclusive and user-friendly, the Eagle One app connects simply with Bluetooth and allows the user to create and share information and recipes with all the other ‘Eagle-oners’. Other than personal use, the app can be used by coffee shop chains to keep track of their different coffee machines and all of their settings, without interrupting the barista’s work.”
