Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel by James Lee

Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel by James Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award yn Sulver in Ferfiersmiddel, Mobiliteit en Ferfierûntwerp Competition Category.

SulverFerfiersmiddel· 2020

Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel

by James Lee

Client: Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions Limited

A' Design Award yn Sulver Winner in Ferfiersmiddel Category

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The Design

About Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel

Butterfly is in fleksibel fleantúchsit-systeem dat transformaasje mooglik makket tusken premium economy-sitten en business class-flakbêdsuites. Eltse Butterfly-suite befettet twa efteroerhingjende sitten dy't ferskood binne relatyf ta inoar, en beide sitten tegearre wurde ferkocht as premium economy. It kabinepersoniel kin de rútsit omkeare om in sydbank te foarmjen, wat in business class-suite foar ien passazjier kreëarret. As ek de paadsit omkeard wurdt, ûntstiet in grut flak oerflak om op te sliepen. It systeem lit operators de kabine oanpasse oan feroarjende fraach en flierromte effisjint brûke.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Sulver

Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver, in bûtengewoan prestisjeuze erkenning foar topûntwerpen dy't prachtich en yndrukwekkend binne. Sulverwinners binne tige briljante en ekstreem kreative wurken dy't de treflike ekspertize, it talint en de skerpsinnigens fan har ûntwerpers yllustrearje. Fan Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel wurdt ferwachte dat it in prachtich foarbyldwurk is, opmerklik profesjoneel en djip ynnovatyf. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver is in tige opfallende, bewûndere útfining dy't foardiel bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Butterfly Primêre Funksje: Fleantúchstoel is in skepping dêr't breed oerjûn wurdt, dy't winsken wekker makket, positive gefoelens bringt en ferwûnderjen en fernuvering opwekket.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Butterfly is a flexible aircraft seating system that allows instant transformation between premium economy and business class flatbed suites. The concept enables operators to adjust their cabin configuration to real-time market changes, allowing them to make efficient use of valuable floor-space, increase aircraft utilization and reduce business risk. It also gives passengers new ways to configure their own space, whether it is a cosy private retreat or a family-friendly social space.
Tags: Aircraft Seating, Flexibility, Transform, Airline, Business class, Premium Economy
Inspiration: Demand is never constant, yet aircraft configurations are usually fixed. As a passenger, I often noticed wasted space on flights. Sometimes economy class is overbooked but business class is rather empty, sometimes the opposite occurs. And as someone who have once worked in an airline, I reckon the need for an adaptable seat that can react to changing market demand. The implication to the operational efficiency is transformative, much like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
Project Duration: The project started in 2014 in Hong Kong and is still ongoing.
Operation Flow: Each Butterfly suite is made of two reclining seats staggered relative to each other. When both seats are used, they are sold as premium economy class. Airline crew can flip the window seat over to form a side couch, which turns it into a long-haul business class suite for one passenger. When the aisle seat is flipped over as well, it forms a flat surface continuous with the side couch, which together forms a large sleeping surface long enough for a passenger to lie flat diagonally.
Patents: Patented
Team Members: James Lee
Vincent Tam
Lars Rinne