Highspeed mobility design for China

Due to the requirements of the train and the specific specifications on the part of the client, the team around Daniel Huber was faced with the special challenge of designing an extraordinary travel experience within narrowly defined limits.

Visually, the influences of iconic Chinese architecture and interior design are unmistakable. Strong red, combined with high-quality metal tones, dark wood and light, marble-inspired tones dominate the color scheme. The three car classes VIP 1st class, 2nd class, were also visually separated by the color tones gold, silver and bronze. Since the specified seats were not to be changed structurally, Daniel Huber's team relied on the great impact of small details. From the covers and neck cushions to a Chinese fan element for more privacy and the traditional Chinese knot, which forms the basis for a pattern that recurs in various forms. Thoughtful design details can be found throughout the train. For example, the light color can be adjusted to match the time of day. The textured, dark wood ceiling also serves to reduce sound, as do the red carpets. In the lounge and dining area, the bonsais at the tables not only bring life to the train car. They also conceal connections for laptops, cell phones and the like, which are only extended when in use. All the details incorporate the know-how gained from decades of experience in mobility design, which has been successfully combined with Far Eastern aesthetics for this high-speed train.

The design of the projects listed was carried out under the leadership of Daniel Huber by his former company Spirit Design. The designer worked there as Managing Partner and Head of strategic Design from 1993 until mid-2018, before founding moodley industrial design GmbH in 2018 - his core team followed him to moodley.