CMF T RENDS
Future luxury: space,
light and material
THE LATEST DESIGN THINKING IN THE AUTOMOTIVE
SECTOR SHOWS A GREAT FUTURE DIRECTION FOR
AIRCRAFT CABINS, FINDS ELINA KOPOLA OF TRENDWORKS
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
094 NOVEMBER 2019
SERENITY AND STILLNESS
ATTENTION TO BIG WEAVE AND LITTLE WEAVE CAN ENHANCE
PASSENGERS’ FEELING OF WELLBEING, FINDS EMMA
RICKARDS FROM WEST 6
Aspiring to a sense of calm when travelling
is something we all recognise. At the Salone
del Mobile in Milan this year, we observed an
emphasis on the use of material finishes and
carefully curated colour choices to deliver a
gentle mindset and sense of wellbeing.
As technology takes over our everyday lives,
our desire for tactility deepens. In Milan we saw
IKEA’s collaboration with Sonos on Symfonisk, a
table lamp/speaker with a textile base combined
with a glass shade. Technical clutter is reduced
to a minimum and the textural value of the fabric
is integral to the holistic success of the product.
At LDF (London Design Festival) in September
a new Missoni Home collection was launched,
delivered in collaboration with Bolon flooring,
featuring Fireworks, an archetypal Missoni
graphic pattern with flowing gradients that gains
in character from the unexpected oversize of
the pattern. It’s all in the weave choices. In our
opinion big weaves and little weaves both add
a much-needed focus on tactility and create a
thoughtful and stress-free zone. Soft, moody
colour palettes using shades like neo-mint and
rose-oyster as an alternative to greys complete
the scene.
Cabin interiors of the future can centre around
the body and mind, creating an understated
and carefully considered approach to serenity,
uncluttered by technical detail. The flexible
surfaces of constructed textiles absorb body
movement and make sitting and leaning back
especially comfortable. When combined with
ergonomically and strategically placed quilted
foam, passenger comfort is maximised. Highquality
craftsmanship skills are required for
designing and weaving top-performance textiles
to create this mood dedicated to serenity.
In a recent interview to celebrate London Design
Festival, the prolific designer and architect, Paola
Navone defined future luxury as space, light and
material.
To create a sense of luxury in any cabin class
we can dial-up the perception of space, light and
quality of material through carefully considered
CMF application. At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor
Show (IAA), the Honda E electric city car was
a masterclass in spatial CMF treatment for the
economy class sector. The continuous wood
dash has a retro furniture feel as it spans the full
width of the car, simultaneously emphasising the
super-wide touchscreen infotainment system.
Audi’s AI:Trail showcased a large natural wood
kick-strip wrapping the complete car interior.
Sustainably sourced wood in matt finishes also
continues as a strong trend across the furniture
industry. The Sage collection by Benchmark
is a good example, with rounded profiles and
ergonomic shapes that show off the natural
materials used.
The influence of nature on colour was clear to
be seen at IAA. The new Land Rover Defender
was revealed in seven muted natural shades and
a satin metallic that allows light to play on the
surface to create a soft, glowing, luxurious finish.
By benchmarking the auto industry and
home interiors it becomes clear the passenger
of tomorrow is accustomed to excellent build
quality, a feeling of space and the clear use of
light, and enjoys a tactile approach to materials.
LEFT: BOLON’S BEAUTIFUL MISSONI
WOVEN CARPET DESIGN
BELOW: IKEA MARRIES STYLE WITH
FUNCTION WITH THIS COMBINED
TABLE LAMP AND SPEAKER
FROM TOP: THE AUDI AI:TRAIL INTERIOR; THE HONDA E
CITY CAR CABIN; BENCHMARK’S SAGE COLLECTION
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