Academic
Brew.
Brew is a compact home device that prepares spent coffee grounds for repurpose making the whole experience effortless, sensory, and waste-free.
Project Type :
2025
Industry :
Home appliance
Client :
Personal
Project Duration :
4 weeks
BACKGROUND :
Roughly 15 to 18 million tonnes of coffee waste discarded annually, which produces harmful methane emissions, a greenhouse gas significantly more damaging than carbon dioxide. As home coffee brewing increased during the pandemic, the amount of spent coffee grounds also grew significantly.
USER RESEARCH :
With 3 interviews and survey sent out to 20 participants I found that: while most people are aware that spent coffee grounds can be reused, few actually take action. Convenience during busy routines outweighs sustainability, and unclear processes make reuse feel like extra work. Hygiene concerns: mess, odor, and mold; further discourage users, leading most to discard grounds immediately despite recognizing their potential value.
DIRECTION :
Because no existing diffuser uses spent coffee grounds as its primary aromatic source, this concept introduces a new approach. By gently applying heat, the diffuser releases the coffee’s natural aroma while simultaneously drying the wet grounds. This process not only enables fragrance diffusion but also prepares the grounds for reuse, transforming waste into a functional resource.
KEY PROBLEMS :
Heat diffusers are dangerous especially being placed in the household environment.
THOUGHT PROCESS :
The design aims to blend seamlessly into the home environment while retaining the familiar visual language of coffee brewing. At the same time, heat management was a key consideration. The goal was to contain and utilize heat efficiently for aroma diffusion, while preventing excessive surface temperatures that could disrupt the surrounding space. Ergonomics also guided the form development. Handle placement, material transitions, and touchpoints were carefully explored to ensure users can safely and comfortably interact with the product, even when it is still warm.
FINAL DESIGN :
More Projects
Academic
Brew.
Brew is a compact home device that prepares spent coffee grounds for repurpose making the whole experience effortless, sensory, and waste-free.
Project Type :
2025
Industry :
Home appliance
Client :
Personal
Project Duration :
4 weeks
BACKGROUND :
Roughly 15 to 18 million tonnes of coffee waste discarded annually, which produces harmful methane emissions, a greenhouse gas significantly more damaging than carbon dioxide. As home coffee brewing increased during the pandemic, the amount of spent coffee grounds also grew significantly.
USER RESEARCH :
With 3 interviews and survey sent out to 20 participants I found that: while most people are aware that spent coffee grounds can be reused, few actually take action. Convenience during busy routines outweighs sustainability, and unclear processes make reuse feel like extra work. Hygiene concerns: mess, odor, and mold; further discourage users, leading most to discard grounds immediately despite recognizing their potential value.
DIRECTION :
Because no existing diffuser uses spent coffee grounds as its primary aromatic source, this concept introduces a new approach. By gently applying heat, the diffuser releases the coffee’s natural aroma while simultaneously drying the wet grounds. This process not only enables fragrance diffusion but also prepares the grounds for reuse, transforming waste into a functional resource.
KEY PROBLEMS :
Heat diffusers are dangerous especially being placed in the household environment.
THOUGHT PROCESS :
The design aims to blend seamlessly into the home environment while retaining the familiar visual language of coffee brewing. At the same time, heat management was a key consideration. The goal was to contain and utilize heat efficiently for aroma diffusion, while preventing excessive surface temperatures that could disrupt the surrounding space. Ergonomics also guided the form development. Handle placement, material transitions, and touchpoints were carefully explored to ensure users can safely and comfortably interact with the product, even when it is still warm.
FINAL DESIGN :
More Projects
Academic
Brew.
Brew is a compact home device that prepares spent coffee grounds for repurpose making the whole experience effortless, sensory, and waste-free.
Project Type :
2025
Industry :
Home appliance
Client :
Personal
Project Duration :
4 weeks
BACKGROUND :
Roughly 15 to 18 million tonnes of coffee waste discarded annually, which produces harmful methane emissions, a greenhouse gas significantly more damaging than carbon dioxide. As home coffee brewing increased during the pandemic, the amount of spent coffee grounds also grew significantly.
USER RESEARCH :
With 3 interviews and survey sent out to 20 participants I found that: while most people are aware that spent coffee grounds can be reused, few actually take action. Convenience during busy routines outweighs sustainability, and unclear processes make reuse feel like extra work. Hygiene concerns: mess, odor, and mold; further discourage users, leading most to discard grounds immediately despite recognizing their potential value.
DIRECTION :
Because no existing diffuser uses spent coffee grounds as its primary aromatic source, this concept introduces a new approach. By gently applying heat, the diffuser releases the coffee’s natural aroma while simultaneously drying the wet grounds. This process not only enables fragrance diffusion but also prepares the grounds for reuse, transforming waste into a functional resource.
KEY PROBLEMS :
Heat diffusers are dangerous especially being placed in the household environment.
THOUGHT PROCESS :
The design aims to blend seamlessly into the home environment while retaining the familiar visual language of coffee brewing. At the same time, heat management was a key consideration. The goal was to contain and utilize heat efficiently for aroma diffusion, while preventing excessive surface temperatures that could disrupt the surrounding space. Ergonomics also guided the form development. Handle placement, material transitions, and touchpoints were carefully explored to ensure users can safely and comfortably interact with the product, even when it is still warm.
FINAL DESIGN :