A TRAVELLER’S CANVAS
Aircraft interiors inspired by homes and journeys
Behind every great artwork is a compelling story. For Nikki Gledhill, the tale involves taking inspiration from cities and architecture around the world, and infusing these into a technically and spatially restrictive canvas — an aircraft cabin. An architect and interior designer by trade, Gledhill is the CEO of MBG International Design, which specialises in aircraft cabin interiors. The firm also takes on completion projects and livery design for Airbus, Boeing and Falcon aircraft.
Gledhill began her career working on Boeing and Airbus airframes as a senior designer at Gore Design Completions. Five years later, she left the company to take a job in sales. But she remained passionate about aviation, and so in 2009, she started MBG International Design. MBG — named so after her husband’s and children’s initials, Matt, Blake and Grace — caters to VVIP clientele who are mainly based in Middle East and USA.
Gledhill’s expertise in luxury interiors extends the company’s portfolio to aircraft lounges, yacht interiors and residences. In designing each space, she aims to create the sense of being at home, and indeed, many clients wish for their yacht or aircraft to look and feel like their own house. It’s so much easier said than done, of course. “Residential items don’t translate into certifiable items for an aircraft. Much of what the clients wish for have to be made custom for their aircraft,” says Gledhill.
From concept to completion, each phase of MBG’s process is aimed at materialising the client’s ideas and vision. Concepts are presented in sketches and detail drawings, then rendered in 3D graphics. Animated walk-throughs are shared between the client and the team. MBG also helps the client select materials, including finish, china, bedding, galley items and trolley carts.
Gledhill’s designs incorporate cultural requirements and design elements relevant to the client. This is partly thanks to her extensive travels. She says: “The varying architecture and cultures leave a lot to the imagination to recreate in different ways. For instance, I love the history and architecture of Uzbekistan, but I also enjoy the newness and diversity of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as tropical places like Bodrum, Turkey.”
Gledhill believes that aircraft design trends are now leaning towards a ‘less is more’ philosophy. While large, wide-body cabins provide more room for decor, jet setters are turning towards minimalistic cabin interiors. “Clients are interested in fuel saving as well as using more lighting as accent features than before,” says Gledhill.
Clients wish for their aircraft to look and feel like their own home