The All Nippon Airways ‘The Room FX’ isn’t just another premium cabin. It’s a statement on how far aircraft interiors have evolved.
Recently recognised at the Crystal Cabin Awards, this next generation business class suite pushes beyond traditional seat design into something far more architectural, tactile, and experiential.
At its core, it’s a collaboration between Acumen Design Associates and renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. That influence is immediately clear.
A cabin inspired by Japanese hospitality
Rather than designing a seat, the team designed a space.
Inspired by Japanese hotel interiors, ‘The Room FX’ replaces the idea of a conventional business class seat with something closer to a private suite. More accurately, a wide upholstered bed with a structured backrest.
At 38 inches wide, built on the Safran Fusio platform, it is one of the widest seats in the industry. More importantly, it changes how passengers use the space. It allows a seamless shift from upright productivity to relaxed lounging with minimal friction.
This is not just about comfort. It is about redefining spatial behaviour at 35,000 feet.
Material storytelling through four distinct wood textures
One of the most distinctive elements of ‘The Room FX’ is its material palette.
The suite incorporates four different wood textures, carefully applied across surfaces. From side consoles to table finishes and cabin doors, they create a layered, tactile experience that feels closer to a high end hotel than an aircraft cabin.
Each texture plays a role. Deeper grains anchor the space. Softer finishes reduce visual noise. Subtle variations guide the eye and define zones.
It is a level of material storytelling that relies heavily on precision visualisation, where lighting, reflectivity, and texture fidelity must work together seamlessly to convey realism before a single component is manufactured.
Effortless transformation through intuitive mechanisms
Luxury is not just how something looks. It is how it moves.
‘The Room FX’ simplifies the lie flat experience into a single intuitive action. At the touch of a button, the footrest rises to meet the seat, creating a fully flat bed without complex transitions.
Behind that simplicity is a carefully engineered mechanism that needs to feel smooth, responsive, and reliable.
This is where motion becomes critical. How fast should the transformation feel? How do each of the components interact? What does effortlessness actually look like in motion?
These are the details that only become clear when movement is visualised, tested, and refined digitally.
Maximising space within real world constraints
Perhaps the most impressive achievement is how ‘The Room FX’ delivers this level of comfort within the constraints of smaller wide body aircraft.
The cabin layout demonstrates how intelligent design can maintain a sense of openness, optimise footprint without compromise, and balance privacy with spatial efficiency.
Seeing the full cabin reveals the real accomplishment. Not just individual seats, but a cohesive environment where every inch is considered.
Effortless transformation through intuitive mechanisms
Architectural collaboration
A rare partnership between aviation designers and a globally recognised architect
Material depth
Four distinct wood textures creating a refined, residential aesthetic
Industry leading width
A 38 inch seat that redefines comfort and spatial use
Seamless ergonomics
A one touch lie flat mechanism designed around intuitive interaction
What this means for the future of cabin design
‘The Room FX’ signals a shift in aviation. From seats to experiences. From function to feeling.
As cabins become more sophisticated, the challenge is no longer just designing them. It is communicating them.
Capturing material nuance, simulating real world movement, and visualising spatial intent before production is what allows designs like this to move from concept to award winning reality.
Let’s talk about how CGI can bring your next cabin innovation to life.
