Autumn 2016

DESIGN | REFURBISHMENT | PLANNING | INSPIRATION | INTERVIEWS | INTERIOR SUPPLIERS

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Publishing partners: Subline for scondary headline here BETTER BY DESIGN Meeting the needs of each and every client INJECTING NEW LIFE Reinvigorating the QM2 111 COVER STORY Maritime Design

Broadening horizons cm-DESIGN has he brainchild of Ralf Claussen and had brought in a lot of American designers Kathrin Matthiesen, cm-DESIGN for the project. But Richard was not sure worked on a number was established in 2000 if this was the right way to do the design “Having first worked together in with just US designers, who might find it of the interior spaces 1996 at another design more difficult to understand European or company, we thought it might be worth German taste.” for TUI Cruises’ range setting up on our own,” says Ralf Claussen, Claussen explains that somebody at TUI co-founder of the company. “So in 2000 we suggested cm-DESIGN. Although the of Mein Schiff cruise started from ‘zero’ – meaning no contract or company was vastly experienced in interior vessels. Sean Dudley job – with cm-DESIGN. We were well-versed design at that time, it did not have any in projects involving hotels, restaurants and experience in the cruise business. spoke with Co-Founder wellness areas, and for a long time this was “Richard contacted us, and gave us TUI’s the main focus of our business, and is still one thoughts,” says Claussen. “From the first Ralf Claussen to find of our focuses today.” meeting to the ‘ok we are onboard’ only Claussen admits that the firm’s move into took seven days, and then suddenly we were out more about the the marine industry was not necessarily in the business. Now, some years intentional, but having been approached to down the line, we have worked on a number company’s work work with TUI Cruises, he and Matthiesen of ships together.” realised that cm-DESIGN was in the perfect cm-DESIGN was also given what Claussen position to broaden its horizons. describes as a ‘look and feel contract’, as well “In 2008, we got a call from Richard as a contract to carry out specific elements of Vogel, former CEO of TUI Cruises, who at the work on TUI’s Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship. that time was looking for a German design This meant cm-DESIGN reviewed and – if company to add to a pool of designers for needed – advised on the work of other design their new Mein Schiff brand,” Claussen companies working on the vessel. This was explains. “Royal Caribbean Cruises to help ensure their designs were suited to a Limited – the co-owner of TUI Cruises – European market.

14 Cruise & Ferry Interiors cm-Design’s interior design work on the included the reception of the SPA & Meer wellness centre (left) and the Schmankerl Austrian themed restaurant (below)

“At the beginning of our work on Mein “From Mein Schiff 1 to Mein Schiff 5, we dedicated kids area on each vessel and on Schiff 1, our company only had four were responsible for the SPA & Sports areas, all Suite-types, and a ‘homely design’ for employees,” says Claussen. “So we were given each of which followed different themes each of the staterooms. four areas to focus on – the Schau Bar, the which were given to us by the owner,” says “One of our highlights on Mein Schiff 5 Atlantik Restaurant, the TUI Bar and the Claussen. “For Mein Schiff 3 we developed a was the Grosse Freiheit area, which features a Himmel & Meer Lounge.” Neo Asia concept, and for we transition corridor, a steakhouse ‘surf & turf’ However, the scope of work cm-DESIGN created a Scandanavian concept. For Mein restaurant, the diamond bar and ‘Schmankerl’, was contracted for expanded – both on Mein Schiff 5, the concept we were asked to create a new Austrian restaurant,” Claussen says. Schiff 1 and subsequent Mein Schiff vessels. was based on Thai culture.” “An architect from New York had designed Beyond these sections, cm-DESIGN the Grosse Freiheit area on Mein Schiff 3 and also worked to create the TUI Bar, Mein Schiff 4. But we were given a briefing reception areas, the Tag & Nacht Bistro, telling us to make it more open and casual, so and the Hanami restaurant. Furthermore, we did a redesign of the area for Mein Schiff 5, the company was asked to create the and we’re delighted with the result.”

”From the first meeting to the ‘ok we are onboard’ only took seven days, and then suddenly we were in the cruise ship business”

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cm-Design, led by Ralf Claussen and Kathrin Matthiesen (top right), has worked on every Mein Schiff vessel to date

cm-DESIGN is not ordinarily what you’d “The internet is helping a lot, with sometimes adjustments are still possible, call a ‘self-promotional company’, preferring so many platforms where we can get and we have to look to make designs that to get on with their work quietly and information on things like new designs, can go further than just one season. We prioritising pleasing their employers. new restaurant types or spa trends,” explains need to make our designs as high quality Claussen explains: “Since 2000, business Claussen. “The internet is allowing us to be as possible and as neutral as possible. Very has come to us without any action from our up to date, and we work with open eyes in often we use colours and elements which side, and we are happy with that. Our office order to see what is going on in the field.” can be changed easily, specifically in now has 10-12 employees, plus freelancers, Claussen explains that what is unique terms of cushions, curtains and armchair and we realise what we are doing is working.” about designing for marine spaces fabrics. Also, instead of bringing too many In an industry where trends are in constant compared to projects ‘on land’ is the fact trending colours into fixed furniture, we transition, how does cm-DESIGN go about that designs are created in parallel with try to work with coloured lighting and approaching each new project to which the the construction phase of the vessel, rather neutral materials.” company is assigned? than before construction. For example, Having become familiar with the specific “Before we start on a new vessel or interior the designs for the upcoming Mein challenges of interior design in the marine area, we normally get a creative or venue brief Schiff 7 were drawn up between April industry and honed its craft while working from TUI Cruises,” says Claussen. “They and July 2016, while the ship was under on the various Mein Schiff vessels, what does give us their ideas and thoughts, and we take development. But the vessel will not be the future hold for cm-DESIGN? it from there. And being based in Hamburg, launched until 2018. This naturally can “We know – and it’s not a secret – that we have the opportunity to study a range of cause some headaches when it comes to TUI Cruises is to develop the sister ship thingshere in the city.” keeping up with the latest trends. of Mein Schiff 7 – Mein Schiff 8,” says Claussen recalls that not so very long ago, “Say we create a suite around a new Claussen. “We are waiting on the decisions quarterly design books were bought and trendy colour – this could potentially from TUI Cruises and Royal Caribbean trawled through to help employees identify be out of style two years down the line,” Cruises Limited as to what kind of areas we the latest trends. Claussen says. “That’s how it is, but at cm-DESIGN are to focus on.” C&FI

16 Cruise & Ferry Interiors FEATURE Maritime Design

The finer detailscount Marine interior specialists are always looking for ways to stand apart from the crowd. Leading players in the industry tell us why the finer details make all the difference

verybody’s heard the old adage: co-founder of cm-DESIGN. “Many president of PR and marketing Ana Albert. ‘look after the pennies and components have to grow together to get a “In order to deliver on high expectations, the pounds will look after wonderful result, like the flow, materials, the inner workings of each project need to themselves’. Similarly, when it light, sound and acoustics, mood and the be on point,” she says. “The finer details of comes to designing interiors for finer details. It’s not a taxi-ride from A to B our modernisation work involves the flow cruise ships and ferries, focusing on every – it’s a space for humans, and that thought of the materials and starts, prior to the detail and leaving no stone unturned can helps us focus on what is required.” drydock, during planning and throughout give a company a competitive edge. In the marine space, the finer details come the delivery. Almaco’s focus is on ensuring “The details are what matter,” says Ryan in all shapes and sizes. that materials move as planned, on time and Fiorentino, director of design at Fathom. “In such a demanding area of expertise, reach their correct destination within the “It’s a busy world – whether it’s e-mails, the whole interior study is a combination of project at the precise moment. We focus on work, politics – everything seems so hectic small and fine details,” says Takis Drakatos, bringing the right item at the right time.” in modern society. The noise of it all can architect and founder of Drakatos & As with many things, in marine numb us and stop us being just present Partners Architects. “This is why we always design, time is often of the essence. “In in our day-to-day. For Fathom, in order try to focus both on the conceptual and the my experience, generally it takes many to craft an experience that allows our constructional detail design. An issue we companies sometimes months to realise passengers to be at one with themselves, the face during this process is meeting naval an order,” says Aldona Mäkinen of TVV details are paramount.” specifications. The integration of the ship Marine Lighting. “One of the key details With so many different elements to technology with the architectural design can we focus on is the quick delivery of our consider, how do industry experts ensure be tricky, but through very detailed design products. We work very fast – the craziest they meet the needs of both clients and and supervision during the construction delivery term I promised a client was the passengers? process, anything can be achieved.” next day after they contacted us. But “Creating new rooms and interiors is For contractor Almaco, the key lies in the it’s possible when you have your own a challenging task,” says Ralf Claussen, preparation according to the company’s vice workhouse, a huge amount of production

32 Cruise & Ferry Interiors Far left: Elmo Leather brings a sense of luxury to interior design Left and above: Hapag Lloyd has reinvented the former Clipper Lounge on the Europa with new colours and details, and the newly-named ‘Gatsby’s’ has been well received by passengers experience, and the drive to deliver within are installed and smoothly come together. new trends, design and its development these tight timescales.” From graphic imagery on the walls, to never stops or ends,” he says. “That’s great When creating a design, one may think indirect lighting and shadow line details to for us from the design side, because we there is a ‘moment of completion’. But is that the point where passengers happily and with have the chance to drive the projects from a really the case? Does perfectionism plague enthusiasm use the space we have created, design and finer detail aspect and continue designers when looking for that final creation? only then can Cubik³ consider their project to search for perfection.” “As an experienced agency, we are used to be complete.” For Giacomo Mortola, president of to managing the pressures throughout Ralf Claussen says that while projects do GEM – Design for Cruise Ships, there is the creative process,” says Kevin conclude, a designer should always be ready never a ‘moment of completion’. “Every Paintin, client director at strategic brand for more from the same client. time I see one of my projects completed, I consultancy 20.20. “Only through our close “In the marine industry, where sistership cannot help the desire of going back to the collaborative approach are we able to keep after sistership are commissioned or a drawing board and make it differently,” he these pressures under control, and guide our company has a growing fleet with different says. “I always imagine how the same project work to completion. Being strategically led, operation experiences, guest feedback, and would have looked had I started it with a our creative decisions are rooted in science and fact. The ideas we come up with are as a result of a process of research and analysis. Sure, there are always refinements, but these ”In such a demanding area of are planned for and rarely cause a job to run over time or budget.” expertise, the whole interior study is a Jochen Hagen, an interior designer at Cubik³ and experienced designer for Hapag combination of small and fine details” Lloyd, says that a project “is only considered ‘complete’ when all elements and aspects

33 FEATURE Maritime Design

Far left: Drakatos & Partners Architects designed the Flocafe on Hellenic Cruises’ Highspeed 7. Left and above: Almaco’s approach to finishing comprises a mix of modern Nordic style and natural-looking elements

completely different approach. It’s always an cm-DESIGN recently completed a work with designers to pick out the right interesting thought.” number of project’s on TUI’s Mein Schiff 5 colours so that we are always up to date. We Each designer naturally has a project of vessel, but one stands out for Ralf Claussen. have worked with a lady named Georgina which they are particularly proud, and more “We are proud of the new design of Grosse Wright, who does a great job in picking out often than not, this is down to the fact that Freiheit on Deck 5 of the Mein Schiff 5, colours for the various projects we do.” everything fell in the right place, with the with its transition-corridor, surf and turf “If we may consider something as our ‘design finer details making the work stand out steakhouse, diamond bar and Schmankerl, a signature’, it is that in all of our projects our from the pack. new Austrian-restaurant,” he explains. “We major priority is the multiple detail designs for “Our recent work on TUI Discovery opened the borderlines between the various the functional and basic elements of the space,” included renovations on multiple spaces,” areas to create a more open and flowing says Takis Drakatos. “The decoration has been explains Kevin Paintin. “The first of these space. The previously divided element is not downgraded as a necessity and we are trying to was 47 degrees, a dining space that takes anymore a solid wall; now it’s a structure of design clear monolithic forms. We use minimal its name from the original birthplace of the three different, vertical layers, including a lines and many levels of surfaces in a way that ship. We gave this area a beautiful identity, woven rope structure, sloping glass panels the space can be perceived as an entity, and a which includes the angle as part of the logo. with inlayed metal structure and a horizontal variation of light fixtures combined with the This angled pattern is then repeated across metal structure, which includes a sign related right materials can up lift the whole design.” the space, on the menus, glass divides, and to the restaurant theme, such as a bulls head “When it comes to interior design, host’s aprons.” for the steakhouse. The detail and its effect Almaco is rooted in modern Nordic style, “Formerly known as the ‘Clipper work really well, and the designer and CEO with elements of glamour and luxury yet Lounge’, ‘Gatsby’s’ has successfully are both very happy!” minimalistic, using natural or natural- reinserted the soul back into a once With such close attention paid, do these looking elements, with each space serving a thought of tired space on the Europa,” design firms have a ‘design signature’, very efficient functional purpose,” says Ana explains Jochen Hagen. “With a conscious which helps separate their work from Albert. “This is without doubt our signature.” and respectful design approach towards others in the field? Naturally, each design firm is different, with old, existing and new elements, fresh For Jimmy Ahlgren of Elmo Leather, diverse approaches and philosophies shaping colours and details, as well as a completely when it comes to separating the company their work. But one thing remains universal – new theme, we have helped create an from its competitors, the key lies in the when looking to create an impressive whole, entirely new space. What was once a rarely details. “For the rawhides that we use, we the finer details cannot be forgotten, and those frequented space has been reinvented have a special process to help pick out the that make sure every element of their work into a lively, popular cocktail bar with a best hides that would be suitable for certain is to the highest possible level are always on completely new identity.” types of leather,” he explains. “We also course for success. C&FI

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