"La conica" and "il cono" design Aldo Rossi

"The cone, as everyone knows, is the name of a simple, solid geometric figure in the form of a round pyramid, produced by the rotation of a right triangle around one of its legs. This type of cone is known as "right" because its axis is perpendicular to the base. The analogy between the shape of the "La conica" espresso coffee maker and its name is inscapable. "La conica" owes its name to the lid, as does its companion kettle "Il conico". A recurring theme in so many of Rossi's architectural designs, in "La conica" the coffee maker has at least become a reality, tangible and usable. The coffee maker is, in fact, a theme so close to the artist's heart as to have become a sort of obsession: metaphorical and paradoxical coffee makers are the protagonists of Aldo Rossi's imaginary theatres, representing affections and domestic reminiscences. Overflowing, packed to capacity with images and memories, coffee makers and kettles were trasformed into giants in his plan of the "progetto domestico" (domestic project) display at Milan's 1986 Triennale. Architecture within architecture, these domestic objects have grown out of all measure: larger than tables, chairs, windows, light fittinges, they occupy an entire room in the house designed by Rossi.

"La conica", with its subtle, formal simplicity, its strong and famillar image, is a conceptual proposition of architectural archetypes and, at the same, one of the most emblematic and best-loved items in contemporary production.

It is probable, even certain, that there are better things than coffee; nevertheless we enjoy it and love it not only for itself but also for its history, tradition and customs. As techniciansm we are conviced that the efficient design of our machine produces excellent coffee, and that its shape will become private and domestic" Patrizia Scarzella