London, United Kingdom

Evolving continuously the first class cabin experience, Acumen Design Associates presents the First Place, an exclusive and differentiated experience from the Super Business Class seats “an interior space reminiscent of a private home, with a more residential design approach.”

The designers set themselves a challenge to create the next evolution of the First-Class cabin that could ultimately be fitted across the full range of wide-bodied aircraft types.

As they had had to compete with the VIP interior design of private jets, which offered a more luxurious and intimate space.

for its luxurious and unique design, the project has been awarded a 2023 Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Their aim was to create a product that would set a new benchmark for the industry, but also offer a consistent product and experience across an airline’s diverse fleet, with minimal impact on seat capacity.

Above all a total re-think of how luxury can be delivered in a simpler, lighter, more elegant, and space-efficient manner.

They focused our brief on transforming the cabin into an interior space reminiscent of a private home with a more residential design approach.

Their experience across many interior programs had shown that First-Class seating had become more complex, heavy, and expensive to produce.

Traditional First-Class seating still had to work hard to transform the seating environment from a place to relax, dine, work, and sleep.

By contrast, modern-day living features multiple dedicated pieces of furniture designed for a specific purpose.

However, in an aircraft environment with limited space, the design of the seat is inherently compromised, as it has to serve too many functions.

The belief is the next generation of First-Class seats needs to embrace the approach taken by Etihad and Singapore Airlines in providing separate seats and beds, but designed in a more space-efficient way to fit all wide-bodied aircraft rather than just the Airbus A380.

Acumen’s First-Class suite concept which is called “The First Place” consists of three luxurious private suites across the width of the aircraft – configurable in a three, six, or nine-seat layout.

It can also be designed to fit four suites abreast if higher seat densities are required, enabling a double suite option in the center.

Each of The First-Place suites contains a separate seat and an innovative chaise-longue that are both certified for taxi, take-off, and landing.

The separate leather armchair is styled to reflect high-end residential furniture. It can rotate and recline to offer not only a suitable take-off position but also a formal dining and comfortable work position, adjacent to the large one-piece desk/table.

The chaise-longue is the centerpiece of the suite environment with a simple and lightweight mechanism to translate from the default “lounging” position into an uncompromised flatbed with dedicated cushioning for optimized sleep and relaxation.

The unique patented layout of the passenger environment creates a room-like cabin with a perfect balance between privacy and openness.

Privacy is delivered by a rotating soft wall privacy panel and a single sliding suite door which are operated manually – designed to be simple and give the passenger greater control of the level of privacy they desire.

The designers strongly believe that any technology in the suite had to be intuitive and discreetly integrated as it would in your own home.

With surround sound and noise canceling technology built into the armchair wings, heating /cooling technology incorporated in the chaise-longue, and induction power charging embedded in table/side furniture.

The passenger would simply use a touchscreen tablet to control all in-suite powered functionality, including climatic control, lighting, and even hotel-style inflight service.

The suite also has two monitors for viewing, a large 32-inch LED screen for lounging/ bed viewing from the chaise-longue, and an 18-inch monitor for viewing whilst seated in the armchair.

The large one-piece table can also slide to any position within the suite, be it formal dining for two or a relaxed “Breakfast in Bed” – and there is a sliding ottoman/buddy seat that allows dual dining and further relaxation options.

The suite also incorporates substantial stowage opportunities. Most significant is the space under the chaise-longue which is large enough for carry-on luggage and airline bedding.

With so much space it is possible that airlines could remove overhead bins in the First-Class cabin entirely, saving substantial weight.

There is also a bedside table with a drawer and a large personal wardrobe all lined in luxurious leather, offering space for jackets, shoes, and personal items.

Project: The First Place
Designers: Acumen – Innovation Lab, Acumen Design Associates Limited
Lead Designer: Ian Dryburgh
Manufacturer: Acumen Design Associates Limited