nendo draws on flow of rivers for next-generation TGV train design

nendo and arep design sncf voyageurs’ fifth-generation tgv train

Japanese studio nendo, together with AREP, unveils its river-inspired design for SNCF Voyageurs’ fifth-generation TGV train. Since it began operation in 1981, the train has redefined high-speed rail travel across France and beyond, and the latest iteration, co-developed with ALSTOM, builds on this legacy to reach speeds of 300 km/h while accommodating up to 1390 passengers in its most high-density configuration.

nendo and AREP’s design concept, here rooted in minimalism and efficiency, draws from the natural flow of water to envision this double-decker vessel as an entity that moves smoothly across the landscape. Its external body features abstract semi-circles in white and gray over a warm gray base, subtly evoking the ripples and waves of flowing water. The use of dark horizontal lines helps integrate technical components like inspection ports and exhaust vents into the overall aesthetic, while the doors, painted in SNCF’s signature Bordeaux hue, provide high-contrast visibility for accessibility.

all images by Yann Audic

the river-inspired design embraces fluidity

Inside the train, nendo and AREP extend the river concept through color, form, and materiality. The seating arrangement fosters a sense of spatial continuity, with horizontal color divisions that align between the seats and walls, reinforcing the feeling of openness. In first class, a palette of Bordeaux and dusky brick red with mustard yellow accents creates warmth, while second-class seating shifts to a cooler spectrum of navy and blue-gray. A subtle gradient effect darkens the seats toward the base in both segments, mirroring the visual depth of a river.

The seats themselves embody the natural softness of water-polished pebbles. Designed as shell-like enclosures, they include vertically adjustable headrests and lumbar support, their rounded forms echoing smooth river stones. Upholstered in Octaspring, a lightweight and breathable 3D-knitted fabric, the seats offer both durability and comfort. The design team has also integrated tables that can be adjusted for various uses, from compact smartphone surfaces to wider set ups for working or eating, while foldable footrests and armrests enhance wheelchair accessibility during boarding and disembarking.

nendo and AREP unveil design for SNCF Voyageurs’ fifth-generation TGV train

the double-decker train hosts various social atmospheres

nendo and AREP’s new TGV also reimagines the onboard café experience with a double-decker bar carriage designed to accommodate different social atmospheres. The train’s lower deck functions as a café-bar serving snacks and beverages, while the upper deck offers a lounge space with informal seating arrangements. Echoing the train’s overall aesthetic, the lower deck carries the same horizontal color split found in the passenger cabins, with soft, undulating counters and shelving that evoke the feeling of floating. The upper lounge takes the riverbed analogy further, featuring benches and cushions of various sizes and orientations, arranged like scattered pebbles. It features a mix of seating styles, from intimate corners to more open, casual spaces suited for groups. Perforated metal sheets, used in luggage racks and vent covers throughout the train, reinforce the sense of lightness and suspension.

Throughout, accessories such as reading lights, coat hooks, and assist grips continue the motif of rounded, organic shapes. Lighting plays a central role in shaping the ambiance, with three distinct models — tall versions for seating areas, compact fixtures for bar carriages, and wall-mounted options for corridors — all sharing a cohesive design language. The overhead luggage racks, too, with built-in lighting, emphasize softness, featuring anti-fall bars that appear to gently touch, reinforcing the theme of weightlessness and floating.

the design concept is inspired by the natural flow of rivers