In a collaboration between the Live Well Collaborative and Boeing, a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and graduate students were tasked with using the principles of inclusive design and state-of-the-art-technologies to create innovations that disrupt the travel experience. Areas to consider included in-flight experience, food delivery systems, and luggage services. From these considerations several concepts emerged, one of which redesigned the cabin interior to offer a fresh and innovative approach to travel.
The team examined how evolving the workspace in a plane cabin could lead to innovative changes in the way that work is accomplished in business class. They examined how the experience could be enhanced with minimal disruption to cabin orperations and safety.
The team generated detailed sketches of what a potential ‘Coffee House’ seating zone would look like and created 3D models and physical mockups to validate introducing an entirely new seating zone into the aircraft. Using VR software, the team illustrate these spaces in an immersive environment. The project was patented by Boeing and won a Crystal Cabin Award in 2020/2021.
At this point, the team found inspiration from the experience provided by coffee houses. Coffee house environments are unique since they offer a desirable experience with maximum productivity and some customization, without high comfort or privacy. This became the team’s initial idea for further development.
“Luxury for the current traveler means I want to fly safe. I want to get to my destination in comfort but be mindful of my personal space. These are values that we weren't necessarily thinking about back then so I can definitely see lots of excitement in offering new ways in which you could choose a specific kind of seat.”
The concept went on to be patented and win the 2020 Crystal Cabin Award, showing that the Live Well Collaborative model continues to produce innovative concepts through interdisciplinary research and development.
