Emirates partnered with TEAGUE and Boeing to design their new B777-300ER interior cabin experience, unveiled in 2017. I supported the design, development, and integration of Emirates’ new First, Business and Economy Class Lavatories.
Our goal was to develop a lavatory that could cater to the unique needs of Middle-Eastern travellers, notably ritual prayer washing of the elbows and feet. I designed several low-fidelity aircraft-scale mockups used for design validation, user testing, and airline engagements. I also collaborated closely with engineering, manufacturing, and third party suppliers to ensure design intent was retained throughout the aircraft production.
HOW CAN FLYING BE INCLUSIVE OF PERSONAL FAITH?
Middle-Eastern travellers practice ritual washing (wudu) in preparation of formal prayers (salat). Wudu involves washing the hands, mouth, nostrils, arms, head and feet with water and is an important part of ritual purity in Islam.
On long international flights, airplane bathrooms are not very accommodating of this practice. The constrained space and small sinks make it difficult to perform wudu washing without splashing water everywhere. Not only does this inconvenience Muslim travellers, it also adversely affects the perception of cleanliness for the next passenger.
DRAW. MAKE. TEST. REPEAT.
The biggest design challenge we faced was developing a sink large enough to allow a 95%ile male to comfortably perform wudu washing of the elbow, but also leave a functional counter space and easy access to paper towels, toilet paper, and other amenities.
OPTIMISED WORKFLOW, IMPROVED EXPERIENCE
Research identified that a wet counter was the main contributor to the perceived cleanliness of public lavatories. Features such as the faucet, soap dispenser, paper towels, and waste flap were carefully positioned to minimize the amount of water splash that occurs during wudu washing. This placement was validated by testing with a physical mockup and a working water faucet.
SALES MOCKUP
I also supported the construction of a full-scale, high-fidelity sales mockup. I created and managed large CAD assembly models and detailed assembly drawings. I worked closely with the in-house CNC fabrication, build teams. and external vendors to ensure successful delivery to the client
