Beyond the Bar: Our Collaboration With Modbar

Beyond the Bar: Our Collaboration With Modbar

Posted by Niki Weegens on

We’re drawn to brands and tools that reshape the way people interact with craft, and Modbar is just that. Their under-counter espresso systems don’t just make incredible coffee—they make it possible to design cafes that are open and human-centered.

Onyx Coffee Lab has been using Modbars in their cafes for over 14 years, and at Specialty Creative Co., we have the privilege of being the ones to tell the story of that partnership–one rooted in the shared values of innovation, hospitality, and beauty. Our job is to make the invisible visible—to capture how equipment like Modbar doesn't just fit into a space, but shapes it. Through video, photography, and spatial storytelling, we work closely with Modbar to highlight how their systems empower better cafe design around the world.


 

Showcasing Craft Without Barriers

 

Modbar’s approach to equipment challenges the conventions of what a coffee bar can look and feel like. Their minimalist, under-counter design removes visual obstacles and fosters a more intentional connection between barista and guest. That philosophy aligns perfectly with our own creative ethos—clear, intentional design that invites people in.

In our visual work for Modbar, we’ve focused on bringing that vision to life through:

  • Cinematic films that reveal the beauty of Modbar in use—quietly supporting flow, interaction, and ceremony

  • Striking photography that frames Modbar as an architectural detail as much as a technical element

  • On-location documentation that captures real cafes using Modbar as the centerpiece of their design

  • Short-form video content for social platforms that showcases the experience of coffee professionals and consumers alike 

Across every piece, the aim is the same: to highlight how Modbar doesn’t dominate a cafe—it disappears into it, allowing space, people, and connection to come forward.


 

A Shared Vision for the Modern Cafe

 

Our partnership with Modbar is grounded in more than visuals—it’s built on a shared belief that design and technology should work in service of hospitality.

In 2024, we traveled to Italy to visit La Marzocco, Modbar’s parent company. We saw firsthand the level of care and craftsmanship that goes into every system they produce. That experience further deepened our understanding of what makes Modbar special—not just the clean lines or innovative functionality, but the ethos behind the brand.

It’s the same ethos we bring to our own work: thoughtful design, obsessive attention to detail, and a commitment to telling stories that move industries forward.


 

Looking Ahead: More Stories, More Cafes

 

As new cafe spaces continue to take shape, Modbar remains central to how many of them are designed. Our work with Modbar isn’t just about documenting equipment—it’s about capturing the spirit of a movement in which coffee bars are no longer seen as boundaries, but bridges. One where technology fades into the background so that people, craft, and connection can rise to the front.

 

 

It’s exactly the kind of story we’re proud to help tell.

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