Nendo teams up with AREP to transform the interiors of France’s TGV
High-speed rail has a new interiors benchmark thanks to the flowing forms and colours of the new InOui TGV

French industrial designers AREP, a subsidiary of SNCF, has teamed up with the Japanese agency Nendo to create a new high speed rail experience, the InOui TGV. AREP, which stands for ‘Architecture Recherche Engagement Post-carbone’, worked with Nendo on every facet of the new train, from the livery to the interior fixtures and fittings, combining their shared experience in product, furniture and transportation design.
The first class carriage on the TGV InOui
The second class carriage on the TGV InOui
The two studios describe the overall design theme in a single world, ‘flow’. This approach emphasises a dynamic fluidity through form, texture and colour, an appropriate image for one of the world’s pre-eminent high-speed transit systems. The partnership dates back to 2018 and incorporates not just the colour, materials and form of the new TGV interiors, but a visible commitment to low- and post-carbon design.
Detail design is colourful and bold
According to the designers, the Flow concept is based around the idea that the ‘train looks like no other means of transport, it makes its way through the landscape, rather like the flow of a river.’ This liquidity is emphasised by a horizon line running through the interiors and exteriors, a line that ‘reinforces the perspective and evokes the surface of the water.’
Detail design in the TGV InOui
Soft shapes are used throughout, from the forms of the seats and the banquettes in the InOui TGV bistro, and the individual lighting elements that illuminate the tables. Colours are darker towards the ground and become lighter as the eye rises through the carriage, up to the lighting elements in the ceiling. Bold elements, like the sparkling yellow lamps and red and yellow seat pockets, provide a contrast. The new train’s two-level Bistro carriage has a self-service restaurant on the lower level and 28 bench-like seats on the upper deck lounge.
The upper deck of the bistro car aboard the TGV InOui
The colour and form of the banquettes are influenced by the relationship between water and sky
As SNCF points out, a new interior must last for several decades and be easily cleaned, maintained and upgraded. Although comfort is the number one consideration, great effort has been put into to ensure that 97% of the materials used can be recycled. In addition to having fully accessible seating areas, bright colour schemes throughout use natural light to help cut down on energy consumption, along with ultra-durable surfaces and structures of the seats and tables.
SNCF hopes the InOui TGV will enter service in 2026 and set a new standard for France’s rail environments.
AREP.fr, Nendo.jp, SNCF-Connect.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Detail design in the first class carriage
Detail design in the accessible carriage
InOui TGV by AREP and Nendo
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Adrien Brody embarks on a Moroccan adventure as the face of Monos luggage
The Canadian travel and lifestyle brand debuts its first-ever aluminium collection with a campaign starring Oscar-winning great Adrien Brody
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Stone Island and New Balance’s latest sneaker collaboration is inspired by an archival fabric
A first look at the ‘Stone Island x New Balance 998 Made In USA’ sneaker, which combines Stone Island’s material innovations with a 1993 New Balance silhouette
By Jack Moss Published
-
Moncler stages spectacular mountain-top runway show at Europe’s highest airport
Taking place in snowy Courchevel this weekend, the high-altitude runway show presented Moncler’s latest Grenoble collection at the ski resort’s exclusive Altiport airport
By Jack Moss Published