The annual Red Dot international design competition recognises the best in design and business. Its Red Dot Design Award honours those who distinguish their business activities in either product design, brands and communication design or design concepts. At the 2019 ceremony in Singapore, Ameco and Lufthansa Technik were honoured in the design concept category for their jointly-developed narrow-body VIP aircraft cabin 'Nature's Touch', a business jet cabin interior concept that combines the cultures of East and West by using traditional Chinese elements and smart technology.

The Airbus ACJ320neo business jet cabin concept features a live-cooking aircraft galley, guest area, lounge, dining/meeting area, cinema and master bedroom. The concept should be adaptable to a Boeing 737 BBJ configuration as well.

Ameco deputy general manager Beijing and leading head of aircraft cabin solutions product business unit Feng Bin says: “'Nature's Touch' is a deepening cooperation between Ameco and Lufthansa Technik in cabin interior concept design, which combines Chinese cultural elements with Western intelligent technology. At the same time, its success also reflects the cooperation advantages of the two companies. We will strive to bring more unique designs to the business jet aviation market and enhance the cabin experience for our customers.”

Lufthansa Technik head of Asia sales for VIP and special mission aircraft Jan Grube adds: “We are grateful for having had the chance to jointly develop this project with our partner Ameco. Such cooperation shows the synergies of our both company's strengths. This new design, as well as its innovative features, are separating it from similar concepts, and the fact that we won the Red Dot Award shows its excellent reception in the market.”

The cabin interiors blend Confucianism with modernist philosophy. Bamboo knuckles, leaves and woven artefacts are used as recurring motifs alongside traditional Chinese colours such as cream, moonlight beige, bamboo green, jade and crimson. Natural materials such as marble, leather, wool and silk complement textiles that have subtle stripes simulating bamboo wood grain and embrace the eco-friendly trend, thereby adding warmth, depth and visual interest to the interiors.

Smart technology and digital interfaces such as passenger system control units, wireless charging, intelligent cabin signs, smart touch-screen desktops, smart window shade glass and ambient lights are incorporated in an unobtrusive and natural way that seamlessly blends with the cabin décor. In the lounge, a convertible sofa, coffee table and bar with transformable dividers allow a variety of entertainment options.

The flexible dining/meeting area also offers several scene modes that can be adjusted according to the situation. For business trips the cabin displays, connected to news networks via cloud services, show the latest market data or news updates. In a leisure or entertainment scenario, the cabin displays connect to music and entertainment servers.

In addition, the cabin lighting and ambience can be programmed to suit a range of scenarios. The jet's cinema is fitted with a 75-inch ultra-bright 4K display and incorporates ambient lighting and an all-new louvred ceiling concept.