DESIGN I NVESTMENT
communication is supported and
welcomed in a leisurely, relaxed way.
A single-aisle layout offers equal
seats with an identical flying experience.
Passengers are seated comfortably
with a direct view out of the windows,
in a relaxed personal space that offers
everything needed for a comfortable first
class experience. The cosy atmosphere
is enhanced by a special lighting feature:
LEDs generating a moving light source
that gives the feel of an open fire.
PHYSICAL COMFORT
A zero gravity seating position offers
unparalleled comfort for the user due
to the reduced effect of gravity on the
human body. This seating position offers
a new way of travelling that has a positive
impact on health by supporting the
blood circulation in the body.
“We liked the idea from day one and
investigated if a high-density business
class seat can provide this seating
position while still being space
efficient. Ergonomic aspects that
initially seem contradictory made us
look deeper, and we fell in love with
the opportunities that opened up
when we tried to implement the
idea,” says Collins.
From armrest concepts that
emphasise different seating positions,
to padded surfaces that change the
impression of the seating space, the
zero gravity seating position opened
up new design opportunities.
CABIN DENSITY
The overall seat count and the seat
count per class in an aircraft offer food
for thought. For example, how could an
innovative seat design support more
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
074 ANNUAL SHOWCASE 2020
class? At first sight, flexible seating leads
to heavier and more complex solutions,
but the team saw a new opportunity to
offer flexibility to airlines as a way to
answer changing passenger needs.
“We are interested in loosening the
boundaries between economy class
and premium economy, and we see an
opportunity to offer airlines real-time
flexibility connected with actual booking
numbers of specific flights,” says Collins.
PASSENGER COMFORT
Seating, relaxing and sleeping positions
can be selected at the push of a button.
However, questioning this way of
operating a seat made the Design
Investment team reflect on what is
really necessary, and they initiated
a brainstorming session on weight
reduction in the aircraft cabin.
“We started eliminating seat
structures, actuators and complex
mechanisms, and fearlessly rearranged
the remaining elements,” says Collins.
“Ecological themes came into the
equation. We believe that there will be
a paradigm change in sustainability and
we are imagining possible scenarios for
this. Are passengers ready to accept a
reduction of seat positions to just upright
and sleeping? If so, it offers new ways of
organising passenger space and creating
new experiences on board aircraft.”
The results of the above projects may
never see the light of day as they are, but
for the studio these concepts offer a
platform to showcase future thinking, the
latest research on innovations and – most
importantly – influence their daily design
work with inspiring ideas that they would
otherwise not been able to develop due
to the typically short development times.
“The ideas offer a possibility to share
and discuss with clients what the future
may look like and how this affects the
passenger experience on board
aircraft,” concludes Collins. “We use
this work for a constant exchange
with our clients and as a base for
innovation workshops to determine
the future of aircraft cabin interior
Design
Investment’s
Elysium seat
design is a Stelia
catalogue
option
“ UNPRECEDENTED
WAYS OF ORGANISING
THE PASSENGER
EXPERIENCE AND
CREATING NEW
EXPERIENCES ON
BOARD”
5. THE TEAM IS LOOKING AT WAYS
TO LOOSEN BOUNDARIES BETWEEN
ECONOMY AND PREMIUM ECONOMY
6. DESIGN INVESTMENT RETHOUGHT
THE EQUINOX 2D STOWAGE AREA FOR
AIR FRANCE’S A330 BUSINESS CLASS
7. THE HEAVILY REDESIGNED
EQUINOX 3D SEAT IS NOW AVAILABLE
AS THE ELYSIUM MODEL
5
6
design – and ultimately to identify
what it takes to offer a tailored and
unique customer experience.”
7
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To request more details from Design Investment,
flexibility when it comes to seat count per
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