TheDesignAir –Could Caon Design Office and Woolmark have created the future of First Class Suites with Modulo?

Sometimes we see concepts that are so far fetched come across our desks here at TheDesignAir that we know they just simply won’t take flight, but the latest concept that has landed here has certainly piqued our interest. Brought to life by David Caon’s design studio (the very same designer who has his fingerprint all over the Qantas passenger experience) the new Modulo seat doesn’t just look great, it answers some of the industry’s more pressing weight and sustainability buttons too.

It’s not a surprise that Modulo answers some of these issues in such an elegant way. It is a concept born from Caon’s long-standing theoretical and practical expertise and research in aviation and transport design. As well as answering weight reduction, sustainability, and the need for frequent cabin refreshes, it also benefits the passenger through wellbeing, hygiene, privacy and an effortless seat experience.

It wouldn’t be the first port of call for many in the construction of a hard product, but in partnering with Woolmark, Caon identified Australian Merino Wool as the perfect material for this project due to its next-to-skin softness, strength, innate versatility and technical benefits. Importantly, Merino Wool is a 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable fibre.

“By harnessing the benefits of Merino wool, such as breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and luxurious softness, Modulo demonstrates how Merino is uniquely positioned to elevate the future of travel through unparalleled comfort and enhanced sustainability. This collaboration with Caon Design Office underscores a shared commitment to driving innovative solutions with eco-conscious design principles.” said John Roberts, Managing Director, Woolmark.

While the physical embodiment of the seat concept hints at conventional layouts of First Class seating without being confined to a particular category. Modulo actually represents an exploration of materials, shapes, and concepts rather than a specific proposal for configuration and features.

We could easily see this fluid morphic seat shell be adopted in new business class suites. There’s always been an aesthetic disconnect for business suites, where the clean lines of any shell are broken up by the less than perfect door mechanisms. This simple approach removes messy joins and creates the illusion of continuous monocoque structure.

“In exploring how to expand the capability of the wool fibre within the airline industry we address a major bugbear of airlines in that they have to spend huge sums of money and time in changing the feel of their cabin interiors. Passengers benefit too by having more of this wonderful material which breathes and allows us to play with light and opacity to create new scenarios for privacy and relaxation.” David Caon.

Embracing an aesthetic inspired by organic forms, Modulo reflects an appreciation for the interplay between material properties and design outcomes. This approach, reminiscent of Mario Bellini’s work with Olivetti, celebrates the beauty that arises from the natural shapes and textures of materials.

Meanwhile the technology behind the seat concept is also advanced, with sensors and technology to elevate the comfort and safety of passengers. These sensors actively monitor and regulate seat temperature for optimal comfort. Additionally, they prompt passengers to move periodically, with these features specifically aimed at mitigating health risks associated with prolonged immobility, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

An ultralight yet robust framework of titanium, aluminium, and carbon fibre forms Modulo’s structure and supports its distinctive fabric membrane. This semi-transparent skin, shaped by advanced 3D knitting techniques, forms a wool blend that is structural yet pliable. Carbon and elastic polymers integrated into the fabric grant dynamic flexibility, allowing the seat to transition smoothly from an open space to a private enclosure. The knitting technology employed in Modulo allows for the strategic integration of wadding within specific sections of the fabric. This design choice significantly diminishes the reliance on traditional foam.

The real USP of this seat comes from the branding opportunity of the interchangeable seat covers. Aided by a sophisticated quick-release mechanism, the wool membrane skin can be swapped as effortlessly as a standard seat cover. This adaptability not only reduces downtime but also provides a dynamic and refreshing passenger experience with each season, ensuring that the cabin environment remains contemporary and engaging without requiring the airline to ground the aircraft for lengthy periods or reconfigure and refit seats.

Overall, concepts like this – that aren’t just flights of fancy, but are borne from industry need – have great potential to take flight. And something so radical might take a few years and a few iterations to come to life, but design studio thinking like this helps pave the way for a brighter future. For many studios, the next frontier is imagining what the future cabins will look like, elevating above the existing plateau of LOPA and OEM efficiencies, but it seems Caon might be seeing the glimmers of something quite special on the horizon.

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The Big Picture

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