By
Rebecca Gibson |
US-based firm Studio DADO has been named on Interior Design magazine’s annual Giants in Hospitality list, just two years after opening as a boutique design company for the cruise industry in November 2016.
Studio DADO, which was founded by Greg Walton, Javier Calle, Jorge Mesa and Yohandel Ruiz, was placed at number 58 on the 75-strong list and was the only Florida-based hospitality design firm to be included. The ranking recognises the company’s work on renovation and newbuild projects for several major cruise operators over the past two years. One of the notable examples is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, which started service this May.
“We’ve been blessed to have a strong community of people that have believed in us from day one,” said Walton. “Our being ranked among Interior Design’s Hospitality Giants is a validation of its support, and our work product. For such a young and relatively small firm, we’ve been entrusted with significant projects and opportunities, including the total transformation of an entire line of luxury ships as we’ve done with OceaniaNEXT.”
Studio DADO revealed that it had been chosen to redesign the guest accommodation and public spaces on Oceania Cruises’ four Regatta-class cruise ships as part of the US$100 million OceaniaNEXT renovation initiative this August. The first of the revitalised ships, Insignia, will debut on 17 December 2018, while Sirena, Regatta and Nautica will showcase their new interiors from May 2019, September 2019 and June 2020 respectively.
Other upcoming projects include the Sky Suites on Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess and Emerald Princess, which will launch in 2019 and 2020 respectively, as well as spaces on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Sea Splendor and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore. The latter two vessels will both debut in 2020 – the same year as Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Reflection, which will boast staterooms, suites, fitness areas and a spa created by Studio DADO.
Norwegian has also contracted Studio DADO to work on the staterooms and public venues for the first of its six next-generation Project Leonardo newbuilds, as well as its private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay. The team will be responsible for the island’s exclusive lagoon retreat, spa, beachfront luxury villas and public areas.
Read our exclusive new interview with Greg Walton in Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2018 to get an insight into Studio DADO's creative process.