Jet Aviation releases ACJ350 XWB renderings
Home-like feel
The bedroom is the area which is often the most personal and private space for the owner. The aesthetic here sets the tone for the rest of the design. In each variation, furniture was designed to appear free-standing, with invisible push latches rather than conventional aircraft fixtures, and statement pieces such as the chaise longue and deep sofa in the bedroom, and the modern Art Deco marquetry floor in the entrance, to add a luxurious home-like feel.
Personal touches were integrated throughout, whether by use of a custom lamp similar to one in the owner’s home, or an artwork designed to link to their personal collection.
One theme, which runs through the entire concept, is a light colour scheme featuring cream and sandy hues alongside warm and cool greys with blue accents. The bed frame is finished in cream leather with contrast stitching, which mirrors the cabinet drawers, seats and surrounding furniture in the room. Complementing the sand-coloured veneer of the cabinet doors is a cashmere and silk carpet, with a carving pattern designed to offer a pleasant sensation when walking barefoot.
“As we are part of a completions centre, we have the advantage of being able to work directly with our engineering and production experts when developing a concept” ~Elisabeth Harvey
While the overall styles are contemporary, the design introduced detail and texture in deco pillows and throws, cabinet finishing, and precious stones, such as a vanilla onyx veneer, which is used both in classic placements, and as a statement artwork behind the bed. “As we are part of a completions centre, we have the advantage of being able to work directly with our engineering and production experts when developing a concept,” explains Harvey. “This means that we can work together to approach the different challenges that a new airframe offers from the outset, and test out concepts to ensure that the finished interior fully reflects the levels of luxury, functionality and personalisation that our customers are expecting.”
For example, the design featured partially veneered monuments, rather than full bulkheads, and intricate decorative paint effects, rather than the more traditional plating. These finishes were not only a beautiful complement to the overall aesthetic, but also represented a focus on artisanal techniques. For example, the television housing features an art paint finish from Pierre Bonneville, an artist who creates his own materials from raw ingredients such as mineral powder, limestone and lava. The finished surface creates a unique material that seems to move where the light highlights the contours. In the design, this was paired with indirect lighting to create a striking and unusual visual effect.
Longer time in the air
The increased range of the A350 creates the perfect opportunity to explore how the customer spends their time in the air. “We want them to enjoy the scope of their aircraft, and this means designing with increased travel time in mind,” states Harvey. The design offers a flexible living space that features several different seating and dining configurations, the forward and aft of which can be separated by curtains. The large screen can also be covered with an artwork when not in use to change the ambience from cinema room to dining or conference space. “I’ve been increasingly observing the transitions in design in different industries, such as yacht interiors,” observes Harvey. “Lightweight, elegant, electrically operated screens are a nice example of the sort of developments in designs we are seeing.”
A large aft lounge area can be converted into two guest-sleeping areas with en-suite bathrooms. The master bedroom is situated forward of the main entrance for increased privacy.
Lighting also plays a key role. “The A350 already offers larger windows than legacy airframes, increasing the natural light, but our design also placed significant emphasis on ambient and accent lighting,” Harvey explains. “For this cabin design, in particular, light was used as a design and architectural feature to enhance the residential feel. For example, throughout the cabin spotlights can be dimmed to emphasise certain features such as a backlit wall, ceiling surround, artwork or architecture, while other lighting is dimmed to create drama and highlight the detailing of the cabin.” Humidity, heating and zoned air conditioning are also considered to ensure maximum comfort for passengers spending longer time in the air.
“The A350 offers customers a spectacular new option for VIP air travel, and designers are really at the forefront of creating brand new, innovative concepts that match the technological advances of the airframe,” concludes Harvey. “These are ‘next generation aircraft’, and our challenge is to consider how to build the most comfortable and bespoke interior inside it, ideally suited to the range and operational requirements of each specific customer.”
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