Evolution of Unum

Background

The latest collaboration centred on targeted refinements to the existing Unum One herringbone platform and a more significant evolution of its Unum Two staggered suite. The work also included the development of a new CMF strategy across the seating portfolio, and the redesign of the Unum exhibition experience at AIX 2026. Collectively, the work marked a clear shift for the six year old seating company, moving from concept-led innovation toward certified and deliverable products.

The Challenge

Unum set out to showcase its entire product portfolio at AIX 2026 as ‘cabin-ready’ solutions. With initial customer orders already secured for Unum One, the platform required a series of design refinements to support the next phase of its industrialisation. Unum Two needed a more significant evolution, transitioning from a strong concept proposition into a fully resolved and certifiable business class platform. The design programme needed to enhance passenger comfort and usability, while maintaining competitive density and efficiency. At the same time, the wider seat portfolio had to evolve to incorporate new materials with greater design flexibility, enabling airlines to tailor the products more effectively to their individual brand requirements.

The Solution

Acumen’s work on the more established Unum One platform focused on refining key architectural details, including aisle door panels, integrated bump strip protection and the introduction of the single aisle suite variant without a privacy door. The programme also reviewed trim and material transitions to support the implementation of the updated CMF palette across the platform.

Evolving the Unum Two staggered seat from an early concept to a production-ready seating platform required a close partnership between Acumen and the Unum development team. Building on the strength of Unum’s patented Scimitar zero gravity seat mechanism, Acumen refined the product architecture to enhance the overall passenger experience while increasing spatial quality, usability and configuration flexibility. The mechanism’s proven performance and infinite adjustability remain at the heart of the design, complemented by the distinctive single- piece table, which continues to define the suite experience within a more cohesive and resolved environment.

The evolved design of Unum Two had to balance passenger needs with airline operational priorities, ensuring the platform could adapt efficiently across different aircraft types including the A330, A350, B787 & B777.

A defining attribute of the Unum Two staggered platform is its layout flexibility allowing airlines to configure cabins around different passenger demographics and route requirements. The design development focused particularly on enhancing the double seat ‘honeymoon’ configuration, enabling side by side dining across alternate rows. This layout responds to increasing demand for more social premium travel experiences, while maintaining efficiency within the cabin footprint. The forward facing layout was also refined to make better use of the available cabin envelope, improving space utilisation without compromising comfort or access.

The design development of the seat introduces a series of targeted usability enhancements:

• 20 inch integrated IFE display
• Unique aisle - access table, which remains deployed during egress
• Increased upper stowage volume
• Discreet drawer compartment for smaller personal items
• Accessibility led PCU developed in collaboration with Access IQ

Lighting formed a central part of the design evolution. Soft, concealed illumination was integrated into the suite geometry to create a calm and consistent ambient environment, with adaptable lighting scenarios tailored to different phases of flight. Two architectural feature lights incorporate customisable inserts, giving airlines a controlled way to express brand identity without changing the core structure.

In parallel, Acumen developed a new CMF strategy for the Unum portfolio. The revised approach introduced richer textures, warmer tones and more tactile finishes, creating a more refined and flexible material palette across the product range. The strategy gives airlines greater scope for customisation, supporting individual brand expression while elevating perceived quality throughout the suite environment.

The Result

This phase of work culminated at AIX 2026 with the unveiling of a completely redesigned Unum exhibition stand. Acumen developed the creative vision and design language for the space, working in close collaboration with Unum and exhibition specialists Ignition DG to bring the concept to life. The stand was conceived to showcase the evolving seating portfolio within a more immersive brand environment, reflecting Unum’s transition from emerging innovator to production-ready seating supplier. Acumen refined the application of Unum’s signature coral identity, introducing a more restrained approach balanced with a warmer secondary palette, layered materials and hospitality-inspired finishes to elevate the brand’s premium positioning. Modular planning, soft architectural screening and carefully integrated lighting created a welcoming visitor experience while reinforcing a more confident and established market presence. The expanded exhibition footprint provided a fitting stage for both the growing product portfolio and the continued evolution of the Unum brand.

Acumen collaborated closely with Unum on the development and build of the seating mock-ups displayed at AIX 2026, overseeing the application of the new CMF strategy across the portfolio to ensure a consistent design language. The exhibition also featured a curated materials showcase, highlighting sustainable finishes and illustrating the flexibility of the platform through a wide range of customisation options.

The programme represents an important milestone in Unum’s continued growth. The combination of product evolution, CMF development and brand refinement has helped position the company as a credible, production-ready seating supplier, with Acumen playing a central role in shaping both the product experience and the wider brand transition.