Butterfly Isihlalo Sendiza by James Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Izithuthi Competition Category.

IsilivaIsithuthi· 2020

Butterfly Isihlalo Sendiza

by James Lee

Client: Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions Limited

Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award Winner in Isithuthi Category

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The Design

About Butterfly Isihlalo Sendiza

I-Butterfly iwuhlelo lokuhlala lwendiza oluguquguqukayo oluvumela ukuguqulwa phakathi kwezihlalo ze-premium economy nezindawo zokulala eziyisicaba ze-business class. Yonke indawo ye-Butterfly iqukethe izihlalo ezimbili ezenza umuntu ancike ezimiswe ngokushiyanayo ngokuqondene nazo, futhi zombili izihlalo zidayiswa ndawonye njenge-premium economy. Abasebenzi bendiza bangaphendula isihlalo sasefasiteleni ukuze bakhe usofa oseceleni, kwakheke indawo ye-business class yomgibeli oyedwa. Ukuphendula nesihlalo sasendleleni kwakha indawo enkulu eyisicaba yokulala. Lolu hlelo luvumela abaqhubi ukuthi bahlelekise ikamelo ngokuya ngesidingo esiguqukayo futhi basebenzise indawo yasephansi ngendlela ephumelelayo.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award

Butterfly Isihlalo Sendiza iwinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile ngokungajwayelekile okunikezwa imiklamo esezingeni eliphezulu, ebukekayo nethinta kakhulu. Abawinile beSiliva yimisebenzi egqamile kakhulu nedala kakhulu ebonisa ubungcweti obuphawulekayo, italente nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Butterfly Isihlalo Sendiza ilindeleke ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omuhle wesibonelo, onobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezijulile. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award uyinto entsha ebonakala kakhulu nethakazelisayo esiza futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Butterfly Isihlalo Sendiza iyinto enomhawu omkhulu kuyo evusa izifiso, ilethe imizwa emihle futhi ivuse ukumangala nokuxakeka.

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