When La Marzocco debuted the Strada back in 2010, it made waves in the specialty coffee world. I still remember attending a demo event where the term “pressure profiling” became forever etched into my brain. Tech aside, the Strada just looked different. The curved shape, the groupheads protruding from main body, it looked like nothing else on the market at the time.
Now, 15 years on and the Strada is getting a new look. Introducing the OFB Strada, the latest member of the Officine Fratelli Bambi catalogue.
Opened in 2019, Officine Fratelli Bambi is La Marzocco’s Florence-based bespoke custom espresso machine studio. Handmade to order, they produce stunning variations of La Marzocco’s most beloved espresso machines. The latest is the OFB Strada.
It is a completely reimagined take on the iconic machine, seen through “the lens of artisanal design and architectural inspiration.” Per the announcement post, La Marzocco took “design inspiration for its flowing lines comes from Calatrava’s Auditorium, the movement of the La Marzocco Mistral, and the aerodynamic elegance of Streamline design.”
The result is a statement espresso machine with a flair for art deco. Design elements include the floating stainless steel drip tray and a brass OFB logo.
And because this is a bespoke machine, the finishes are completely customizable. The side panels can be steel, brass, copper, aluminum—all of which have polished, satin, and matte options—or glass.
The OFB Strada will debut at Out of the Box Milan, La Marzocco’s signature event series. Taking place October 18th, the event is scheduled to coincide with Host Milano, which will bring in coffee professionals from around the globe for the trade show and World Barista Championship. Out of the Box Milan is completely free to attend, and you can RSVP here. For more information about the all new OFB Strada, visit La Marzocco’s official website.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
