Fancy and safe
Finding competent project partners is one thing, complying with strict safety regulations another.
The art of implementing regulatory requirements on board a cruise ship in an aesthetically pleasing way will be the subject of a panel discussion titled ‘How to design to comply’ at 14.30-16.00 on September 11.
The panel will be moderated by David McCarthy, Marine Projects & Communications Director at AD Associates who has nearly 25 years of professional experience in hospitality, cruise operations, ship newbuilding and renovation.
His advice to future ship designers: ‘Go and experience things, touch the materials, and take in the ambience with all your senses. This was a great piece of advice I received during my early career at sea.’
Partner Ship Design
The notion that safety always comes first even for designers of cruise ships is more than familiar to Siegfried Schindler and Kai Bunge, the founders and Managing Directors of Partner Ship Design.
‘The basics for a safe ship are created during the early concept development stage. The first step is to subdivide the ship into fire zones and watertight partitions. Planning the escape routes and the lifeboat positions is the second step, material selection the third,’ says Schindler.
Appropriate safety certificates must be provided for all materials used on a ship: They are subject to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements issued by IMO, the International Maritime Organization.
‘The main objective is to minimise the use of readily flammable materials. For example, laminate is preferable to solid wood. The same safety-first approach applies to on-board furniture: Rounded edges and corners on cabinets and beds help reduce injury hazards at high sea,’ explains Bunge.
Unique and classy
A second panel discussion: How design helps to convey, define or create brand identity will learn how brand values can be incorporated into design concepts to help create a unique identity for each cruise brand, takes place at 10.30-12.00 on September 12.
Tal Danai, founder and CEO of the art consulting and curating agency ARTLink.Inc, is someone who knows about the effects of art on this unique identity. ‘At the moment we are curating collections for five large cruise ships as well as five luxury hotels, and we are developing and operating galleries on board 14 ships,’ says Danai. He will explain why the impact of art goes far beyond simple decoration, and why cruise ships are a perfect environment for presenting art.
Audience determines the ambience
From a Cuban-inspired flair or the sophisticated atmosphere of a lounge to a nature-loving approach that transcends into every design detail, it is the target audience that determines the ambience. For example, TUI Cruises places great emphasis on design quality, generous spaces, and tranquillity.
Stark colour contrasts are a no-no; the individual spaces on board are always decorated using one particular family of colours. ‘In the case of the new Mein Schiff 2, we are relying even more on well-known designers. This ship will complete a journey we have begun on other newbuilds: Its interior decoration will offer both, broad variety, and at the same time great harmony,’ says Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises.
Star designer Patricia Urquiola is once again on board in this project. A native of Spain, she had already designed the suites of the new Mein Schiff 1. For Urquiola working in this unfamiliar environment has been a special treat: ‘I love being close to the sea. I had great fun elaborating the unique spirit of this place on board a cruise ship.’
Oceanarchitects’ nature base
In the case of the recently delivered expedition cruise ship Hanseatic Nature by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Christian Klein and Johannes Jensen of Oceanarchitects were in charge of interior design. Their concept revolves around nature: For example, the structure of the flooring imitates the irregular shapes of ice floes. Some of the wallpapering feels like fish skin; and the water flows from faucets resembling corals.
Visitors to the MARINE INTERIORS trade fair will be able to learn from exhibitors including fittings specialists from Franke Aquarotter, hospitality equipment consultants from Hagola, and RP Technik safety experts. From light installations to chinaware, through to custom-manufactured coffee tables, the exhibitors at the new MARINE INTERIORS fair cover the entire value chain.
MARINE INTERIORS is co-located alongside the 10th Seatrade Europe – Cruise and River Cruise Convention.
More than 7,500 participants are expected to attend both events.
Delegate early-bird tickets for the Seatrade Europe conference including MARINE INTERIORS special panel discussions are available until June 28, by clicking here.
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