Designer Jet interiors for the rich and famous

At the main entrance, occupants are invited into an open-plan living area, where there is little in the way of clumsy furniture usually associated with aircraft interiors. Instead, the open space is inviting and allows passengers to look down the entire length of the plane, where the first thing that hits you is the vast lounger-style seating, opposite a huge projection screen that takes up one side of the cabin wall). The main seating area has a versatility all of its own, offering the users different configurations for use. Based on the Barcelona Chair’s iconic simplistic lines, a style which was favoured by the client and, incidentally, has recently passed certification from Lufthansa Technik, it offers the space for several family members to lounge comfortably, or alternatively, for an entourage to be seated. On the left of the entrance is a bar, while a central island holding drinks, glasses and communications technology reaches from floor to ceiling. Panels on the upper cabin walls house the ambient lighting which can be controlled using the Lufthansa Technik’s latest cabin environment technology, but which also hold interchangeable floating panels where artwork can be displayed; a customization which would allow easy updates when required.

The only isolated area of the aircraft is the unique ‘Snug’. Any open plan layout still needs an area of privacy and escape, so a small room was created with cushioned wall’s and another large projection system, offering games, films, TV and internet access. A hit with the children, this space also provides sleeping quarters for our celebrity couple. Opposite the snug sit three Barcelona chairs providing separate meeting space for more formal activities. This then brings us to the rear section of the aircraft.

Any client of this financial worth and importance would accrue an entourage of some sort, requiring TTL seating, dining and work space with the possibility of sleeping on long or overnight flights. Therefore, Design Q proposed a more unique and social environment far better than the standard TTL seats usually adopted in this area of a VIP aircraft.

The timeframe from initial project briefing to the presentation of 3D visuals was under 7 weeks; a remarkable achievement for an exclusive design-led project given the extent of the design exercise.

Design Q

Design Q have since embarked on other projects with equally high status individuals and continue to develop ever more interesting solutions to the design and execution of aircraft interiors, be it commercial or VIP, fixed or rotary wing. Their other business interests also benefit from the diversity of the design team offering design services in Automotive, Marine, Industrial and Consumer Product fields.

Gary Doy and Howard Guy are the two directors of Design Q and are both ex-Jaguar designers, responsible for the XK 8 and SType respectively. Established in 1997, the consultancy has grown in size and experience to become one of Europe’s premier design consultancies. With the addition of Design Q’s sister companies, Q Trim and Q Aerospace, the group is able to offer a turn key service to the Aviation industry from concept design through to supply of production units. As Howard Guy says ‘it is this ability to supply both fresh design thought and real production solutions that makes us stand out from the crowd’.

The Celebrity Jet and other work carried out by Design Q will be on display on their stand (Hall 10 Stand E27) at the Aircraft Interiors EXPO, Hamburg at the beginning of April.