John Meng's Found-Object Cigar Ashtray

Designer John Meng has introduced the Achille cigar ashtray, a piece that repurposes espresso machine components into a functional object. The design incorporates a filter basket, a blind bowl, and an espresso portafilter, all crafted from stainless steel and Beech wood.

Meng hand-polishes each unit, aiming for a balance between presence and restraint. The goal is an object that occupies a space through its physical weight and quiet appearance rather than overt ornamentation. The ashtray draws a connection to the design language of Joe Colombo, who was well known for his own interest in objects centered around vices and social habits.

This project highlights the potential of industrial component repurposing in product design. By stripping back common hardware to its base materials, the ashtray functions as a study in material honesty. It avoids excessive flair and focuses instead on the permanence and tactile nature of its construction.

Designers often look to existing industrial manufacturing as a source for new forms. This approach suggests a path for creators to rethink how machine parts relate to domestic environments. The Achille ashtray is a specific result of this thinking, where technical components become furniture-adjacent pieces.