boatinternational.com
01/2018entertaining business associates. As well as the
clever configuration of layout, there is luxurious
attention to detail and comfort. It is also
exceptionally striking. “There are about three or
four contrasting colours and nothing more than
that,”saysJimDixon,headofaviationatWinch
Design.“It’saverymasculine,dramaticinterior.”
Thefinishesareunique.“Allofourclientsliketo
seethingsthattheyhaven’tseenbeforesowe’re
constantlyworkingwithoursupplierstooffernew
materials,”saysDixon.Inthisaircraftthatincludes
abeautifulpeacock-themedmetallicpanelyousee
asyouentertheplane,andarich,silver-flecked
dark veneer across the bulkheads and furniture,
madefromreconstitutedveneerratherthanaplain
wood species. A cross-stitch motif has been used
on the leather seats, valance panels and carpets.
Inthemainloungearea,ashagreen-topped
diningtableunfoldstoseatfive,whileanothertable
can serve four. There is an elegant bar area, with
adjustable leather stools (a hidden champagne
cooler can be found in the bar) and there is
full-spectrum, audio-synced lighting to create a
party atmosphere. Then, through an electro-
dimmable sliding glass door is a large aft lounge,
which can be used as a family movie room or as a
privateofficespacewithaU-shapedseating
arrangement and a large desk area. The lounge can
also function as an additional sleeping space, with
twodoublebeds.Furtheraftisthemastersuite
and bathroom, the latter having a custom-made
blue glass washbasin, large shower and a mirror-
faced television integrated into the marble vanity“ALL OF OUR CLIENTS
LIKE TO SEE THINGS
THAT THEY HAVEN’T
SEEN BEFORE”
Metallic artwork
panelling,
featuring an
intricate peacock
design, guides
guests through the
main lounge area
on board the
VVIP Boeing BBJUp to 19 passengers can be
accommodated and entertained
on board the VVIP Boeing
BBJ, with the main lounge
containing exquisite detailarea.“We’recreatinghomesinthesky,”saysDixon.
“There is no reason the client’s aircraft should be
anylesscomfortablethantheirownsittingroom.”
Of course, as with boats, planes have their
challenges. “There are strict regulations: the weight
of materials, the complexity of engineering
involved. Aircraft interiors are the most expensive
youcanbuild,”saysWinch.Butthisdoesn’thold
them back. “We are constantly encouraging people
to push the boundaries. By applying logic, common
sense and creativity, we can push everybody’s mind
to develop the industry,” he says.
Next on the agenda is the creation of Halo, a
behemoth of an airship that flies below 12,000 feet,
making it unpressurised and allowing passengers to
experience their surroundings from open-air
viewingdecks.Withintheaircraft,therewillbe
more than 20 bedroom suites, conference and
workspaces,aspa,acinemaandanightclub,as
wellasacargodeckthatcancontainaboatover50
metresinlength.“Haloreallyisaground-breaking
project,”saysWinch.“It’llprovideacompletely
new perspective on the world.” As we said, there
really is no such thing as “just” a boat designer.B>>AVIATION87