Rail transport is the most environment-friendly way to travel. Allowing for multiple configurations and options for both solo and group travelers, the design of Shift Train maximizes the train’s capacity and prevents underutilization of space. With thoughtful material selection and pre-fabrication the train becomes more sustainable with durable and easily replaceable components. Throughout Shift Train, the flexibility of the variable components allows for a tailored experience for each traveler. Repeating elements of subtraction, stacking, and sliding adds efficiency and accommodation diversity not offered by standard carriages on the rails today.
School of Design | Graduate Interior Design
Student: Lesley Siegel
Faculty: Deborah Schneiderman
A wearable apparatus–designed to mitigate the public site of a coach train seat–evolved through the use of these strategies to offer storage, privacy, support, comfort, hands-free entertainment, and style. The schemes were combined to create a functional mobile environment with the ability to enjoy separate or shared experiences while traveling. Expanding on this desire, Shift Train’s interior shies away from static elements and instead uses variable components to offer passengers a personally tuned comfort level while maximizing limited space.
Within the sleeper car, travelers can choose from various multi-use spaces, with accommodations for groups of two to thirty-six. Shift Train permits communication between berths across the length of the car. Larger rooms hold up to four people. Vert, the train’s signature bed, comes recessed into the wall as a pair. The facing unfolds to provide a side table, a surface for snacks and drinks, writing, or a laptop. By sliding it forward, rotating it away from the wall, and lifting out the central cushion, Vert becomes a deep armchair. The removed cushion can be used as a headrest, extra seating, a worksurface, or a footrest. When it’s time to sleep, replace the central cushion, slide, and unfold to transform Vert from chair to bed. Side-by-side, the pair create a generously sized sleeper for two.
Those traveling solo can opt for a single or double bed, both of which come equipped with storage, individual lighting, charging points, locking privacy, a personal window, and a berth that transforms to allow for upright relaxing. The double option functions like a futon, folding to support seating or laying flat for sleeping. Recessed shelving makes space for digital devices, enabling hands-free entertainment. The single berth is inset and stacked above the room. Passengers can choose to slide open portals for connection with the adjacent spaces on either side. The corner of the bed cushion lifts out and can be placed as back support, empowering passengers to adjust their seating position to face out into the aisle or more privately within their pod. Numerous group sizes can reserve linked sleeping arrangements, and lone passengers benefit from the spatial variability on Shift Train; this maximizes the train’s capacity and prevents underutilization of space.
The dining car provides three zones for seating. Centrally located, a raised bar generates space for a recessed lounge area below, and communal tables bookend the car at either side. While perched at the bar, diners can shift their view by sliding their stool back to become a footrest and rotating their seat. Privacy partitions, recessed in the armrest of the lounge chairs, slide up and hinge to become trays or work surfaces. Inspired by automats and Japanese eateries, vending machines dispense food on Shift Train. Diners not only select their meal and drink options but also their seat type. Communal tables with benching allow larger groups to eat together. Raising and unfolding recessed partitions creates separation between parties, and sliding bench backs grant easy access to interspersed seating. The layout and functionality within the dining car allow for a multitude of group dining configurations and provide solo travelers with options that don’t demand over-occupancy of seating.
Places to gather that are usable by everybody allow for social activities. They accommodate those who want to kneel or stand. Many configurations present opportunities for spontaneity. The open layout allows sound to travel through the space, sparking curiosity and beckoning interaction.
Throughout Shift Train, the flexibility of the variable components allows for a tailored experience for each traveler. Repeating elements of subtraction, stacking, and sliding adds efficiency and accommodation diversity not offered by standard carriages on the rails today.
