Jip van Neerven is innovating espressomaking as a special project for his study in Industrial Design. He is working on two different models. One he made practically from scratch:
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| Picture by Jip van Neerven |
And another in the factory of the famous Kees van der Westen where he is expanding a Speedster model:
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| Picture by Jip van Neerven |
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| Picture by Jip van Neerven |
In both systems, the aim is to allow unrivalled flexibility in temperature, pressure and volume during the extraction of espresso. To do this, he has first developed a theory about the possible pressure profile in a typical shot and then proved to himself and his teacher that the theory is correct and that it can be mimicked perfectly using his pressure system. He uses air pressure which he manages to regulate by a suprisingly straighforward technical method.
It's possible to extract espresso with a pressure profile like one gets from the excellent spring lever systems, with a swift ramp up after pre infusion followed by a gradual decline in pressure. But this can also be reversed, starting off with a low line pressure and increasing pressure towards the end when pressure will be at a maximum.
During an informal meeting over coffee, Jip explained some of the ins and outs of his work, like the way he produced some of the most basic parts of the small machine himself. For instance a pipe to transport the air pressure. There was none in stock or on order, so he took a massive thick wand of brass and drilled a tiny hole through the length of it to make sure it would not explode at the highest pressure. It was also nice to see his sketchbook with early and recent designs, calculations and ideas.
Jip asked me to come to Utrecht to have coffee in this specific cafe "Goede vrijdag" (Good Friday) that opened just 7 days ago, a former bridgekeeper's tower. During the past three years he passed it often and noticed how the deserted space had little use. Sometimes art would be hanging in the tiny room but no one seemed to come to look at it.
Now, three friends of Jip have redecorated the room to house a coffee place with two littte tables, retro book shelves, board games and some vintage articles for sale. In the basement is the restroom and a tiny closet size stage with a keyboard so small mini concerts can be organized here.
Behind one white wall used to be a door leading to the old engine room dating from the time that the bridge could be lifted to accomodate passing ships and this week, the three young owners have won the permission to break open this wall and 'rediscover' the engine room. The machinery and controls will have to be safeguarded by a transparent wall but they will make sure it is well lighted.
The coffee machine upstairs has been bought in used but renovated condition but it needs some further service and tweaking because the espresso is a bit scorched. The owners are aware of this and they are working on improvements.
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| Cafe "Goede Vrijdag" in the background |
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| Former bridge operator tower |
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| two table cafe |
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| one of the owners |
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| Jip van Neerven |
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| Basement: white wall hiding stairway to engine room |
PS: edited the original text, I mentioned Jip lives in Utrecht but turns out he doesn't (see below).
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