FLOATILE
The unique element of a train interior, is the train itself is a moving space. To enhance these movements and make it into a quality, we came up with the Floatile water disk. It is placed on the floor and the water in it requires you to balance. Together with the movements of the train, you can get the sensation of
surfing a wave. With such a spot, standing becomes playful.
The Floatile is probably the most outstanding product from the active furniture series we tested in the train. We could see that people’s emotions went from calm, relaxed and carefree when they stand on a normal floor to the most extreme moods. There was an increase of people who feel more positive. On a regular floor 8% of the people is lively or excited. Standing on a Floatile 23% of the
people are lively or excited.
When the Floatile was designed, the expectation was that especially youngsters below the age of 25 would appreciate this design. Looking at the data it worked out differently.
The Floatile is a round disk with a bright ring around it. The youngest age group (below 25) does become more lively and excited, but also significantly more nervous than older age groups. Although the exact reason for this variation is uncertain, it could potentially be related to the sensation of being exposed. The design makes you feel exposed compared to standing on a normal floor. It could be younger people feel less comfortable about being on the spot in a semi-public space and that the design of the Floatile
enhances this feeling. To engage the youngest age group, it would be good to do a second experiment with Floatile spots which blend in with the regular floor design.