Designing the future of rail: zweigrad’s Birte Jürgensen on technology, sustainability and the human-centred journey
13/11/2025
Birte Jürgensen is the founder, director and partner of zweigrad Design. At this year’s Rail Interiors Show, Birte will join global experts to explore how to redefine the passenger experience through technology, sustainability and human-centred design with a holistic approach.
At this year’s Rail Interiors Show, Birte Jürgensen, Partner, Managing Director and Founder of zweigrad Design, shares insights into how her Hamburg-based studio is redefining the passenger experience through technology, sustainability and human-centred design with a holistic approach.
zweigrad Design has worked on a wide range of transportation projects — from trains to trams and beyond. How do you approach balancing aesthetic design with the strict technical and safety requirements of rail interiors?
“It’s a very important question,” Jürgensen said. “On one hand, we use technology to improve the passenger experience, and on the other, we take a human-centred, holistic approach — combining hardware and software design. Every project is built on a strategic base that reflects our client’s brand while meeting safety and technical standards.”
She highlighted zweigrad’s Chloé train toilet designed for Talgo as an example of inclusive innovation. “We used AI to address different passenger needs — from people with reduced mobility to those who are deaf or blind. Technology enables us to respond flexibly, but it should feel invisible, so passengers aren’t intimidated by it.”
Jürgensen added that zweigrad’s process begins with analysing real user needs, creating user journeys, and testing early mock-ups with passengers. “This agile process helps us refine the design until it creates an environment where travellers feel safe, supported and at ease.”
Passenger expectations are evolving rapidly, especially around comfort, accessibility, and sustainability. How is zweigrad integrating these trends into your current rail interior design projects?
“We’re in the middle of a mobility transition,” she said. “To get more people onto trains, we have to look at what the competition — especially the automotive industry — is doing. Passengers expect a seamless journey from door to door, not just while they’re on the train.”
Accessibility, she explained, is at the heart of this transition. “You can’t achieve a mobility shift if anyone is left outside. For every project, accessibility is mandatory. We always look for the weakest link in the chain and design to make accessibility self-evident — something naturally considered at every stage.”
On sustainability, Jürgensen highlighted zweigrad’s focus on materials and modular design. “We constantly review materials for recycling potential, reuse and upcycling. We aim for lighter, non-glued components that can be easily disassembled or replaced — designing with the full lifecycle in mind.”
As both a designer and a founder, how do you foster collaboration between industrial designers, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure that creative concepts can be practically realized?
“From the very beginning, it’s essential to work closely with all stakeholders,” said Jürgensen. “As designers, we’re not only the ones with ideas and visions — we also see ourselves as moderators and consultants. The role of design has changed a lot over the past 15 years.”
Every project begins with a briefing workshop to understand the needs of clients, operators, manufacturers and users. This is followed by zweigrad’s structured ‘Ideation Booster’ workshop, a one- to two-day process where all parties contribute ideas. “We work methodically, using creative tools to explore a wide range of solutions,” Jürgensen explained. “This is where stakeholders become part of the process from the very start.”
She believes open discussion and even “friction” between disciplines are vital. “I’m both a mechanical engineer and an industrial designer, so I understand both sides. Collaboration only works when it’s authentic — when everyone brings their perspective openly and with trust.”
You’ll be speaking at the Rail Interiors Show this November — what key themes or ideas do you plan to share with attendees, and what do you hope they take away from your session?
“We won’t achieve the mobility transition without a seamless, holistic passenger experience,” Jürgensen said. “As rail competes with private transport, there’s a huge opportunity to use state-of-the-art technologies to create what I call a ‘must-have’ passenger experience — one that people actively want, not just need.”
She emphasised that technology alone isn’t enough. “It’s about using technology in a human-centred way — addressing real passenger needs, including those who may be sceptical or even afraid of AI. Design is what makes technology approachable and meaningful.”
Jürgensen also called for broader industry change. “If we want innovation to thrive, the tendering process must evolve. Designers are visionaries — we bring human-centred thinking and ideas that can drive real transformation. But for this to happen, design needs to be valued properly within the industry.”
Looking ahead, what do you see as the next big shift in rail interior design — whether it’s in materials, modularity, digital integration, or passenger experience?
“We’re currently working on a vision panel project with several manufacturers, including Siemens Mobility,” she explained. “One major change we see ahead is the increasing role of artificial intelligence and robotics. With the expected shortage of staff in the future, these technologies will help solve real operational challenges — and we’ll see more of them integrated directly into trains.”
Sustainability, too, remains a key driver. “We’re moving towards lighter solutions — both in structure and in materials, colours and finishes,” Jürgensen said. “And from a design perspective, I believe rail interiors will become much more emotional. People don’t just want functionality; they want spaces that engage them, that feel personal.”
She added that the traditional idea of uniform carriages may also evolve. “I think we’ll see trains designed around passenger needs — zones for work, rest, dining or relaxation — reflecting how people really live and travel today.”
Birte Jürgensen will speak at the Rail Interiors Show in November, sharing insights from across industries and highlighting: how technology, sustainability and human-centred design can redefine passenger experience. Book your free delegate pass today by clicking here.
zweigrad Design has worked on a wide range of transportation projects — from trains to trams and beyond. How do you approach balancing aesthetic design with the strict technical and safety requirements of rail interiors?
“It’s a very important question,” Jürgensen said. “On one hand, we use technology to improve the passenger experience, and on the other, we take a human-centred, holistic approach — combining hardware and software design. Every project is built on a strategic base that reflects our client’s brand while meeting safety and technical standards.”
She highlighted zweigrad’s Chloé train toilet designed for Talgo as an example of inclusive innovation. “We used AI to address different passenger needs — from people with reduced mobility to those who are deaf or blind. Technology enables us to respond flexibly, but it should feel invisible, so passengers aren’t intimidated by it.”
Jürgensen added that zweigrad’s process begins with analysing real user needs, creating user journeys, and testing early mock-ups with passengers. “This agile process helps us refine the design until it creates an environment where travellers feel safe, supported and at ease.”
Passenger expectations are evolving rapidly, especially around comfort, accessibility, and sustainability. How is zweigrad integrating these trends into your current rail interior design projects?
“We’re in the middle of a mobility transition,” she said. “To get more people onto trains, we have to look at what the competition — especially the automotive industry — is doing. Passengers expect a seamless journey from door to door, not just while they’re on the train.”
Accessibility, she explained, is at the heart of this transition. “You can’t achieve a mobility shift if anyone is left outside. For every project, accessibility is mandatory. We always look for the weakest link in the chain and design to make accessibility self-evident — something naturally considered at every stage.”
On sustainability, Jürgensen highlighted zweigrad’s focus on materials and modular design. “We constantly review materials for recycling potential, reuse and upcycling. We aim for lighter, non-glued components that can be easily disassembled or replaced — designing with the full lifecycle in mind.”
As both a designer and a founder, how do you foster collaboration between industrial designers, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure that creative concepts can be practically realized?
“From the very beginning, it’s essential to work closely with all stakeholders,” said Jürgensen. “As designers, we’re not only the ones with ideas and visions — we also see ourselves as moderators and consultants. The role of design has changed a lot over the past 15 years.”
Every project begins with a briefing workshop to understand the needs of clients, operators, manufacturers and users. This is followed by zweigrad’s structured ‘Ideation Booster’ workshop, a one- to two-day process where all parties contribute ideas. “We work methodically, using creative tools to explore a wide range of solutions,” Jürgensen explained. “This is where stakeholders become part of the process from the very start.”
She believes open discussion and even “friction” between disciplines are vital. “I’m both a mechanical engineer and an industrial designer, so I understand both sides. Collaboration only works when it’s authentic — when everyone brings their perspective openly and with trust.”
You’ll be speaking at the Rail Interiors Show this November — what key themes or ideas do you plan to share with attendees, and what do you hope they take away from your session?
“We won’t achieve the mobility transition without a seamless, holistic passenger experience,” Jürgensen said. “As rail competes with private transport, there’s a huge opportunity to use state-of-the-art technologies to create what I call a ‘must-have’ passenger experience — one that people actively want, not just need.”
She emphasised that technology alone isn’t enough. “It’s about using technology in a human-centred way — addressing real passenger needs, including those who may be sceptical or even afraid of AI. Design is what makes technology approachable and meaningful.”
Jürgensen also called for broader industry change. “If we want innovation to thrive, the tendering process must evolve. Designers are visionaries — we bring human-centred thinking and ideas that can drive real transformation. But for this to happen, design needs to be valued properly within the industry.”
Looking ahead, what do you see as the next big shift in rail interior design — whether it’s in materials, modularity, digital integration, or passenger experience?
“We’re currently working on a vision panel project with several manufacturers, including Siemens Mobility,” she explained. “One major change we see ahead is the increasing role of artificial intelligence and robotics. With the expected shortage of staff in the future, these technologies will help solve real operational challenges — and we’ll see more of them integrated directly into trains.”
Sustainability, too, remains a key driver. “We’re moving towards lighter solutions — both in structure and in materials, colours and finishes,” Jürgensen said. “And from a design perspective, I believe rail interiors will become much more emotional. People don’t just want functionality; they want spaces that engage them, that feel personal.”
She added that the traditional idea of uniform carriages may also evolve. “I think we’ll see trains designed around passenger needs — zones for work, rest, dining or relaxation — reflecting how people really live and travel today.”
Birte Jürgensen will speak at the Rail Interiors Show in November, sharing insights from across industries and highlighting: how technology, sustainability and human-centred design can redefine passenger experience. Book your free delegate pass today by clicking here.