Chelsom reveals how its innovative lighting solutions help to enhance Britannia's sophisticated interiors
By
Rebecca Gibson |
UK lighting company Chelsom was commissioned to create a series of bespoke lighting products onboard P&O Cruises’ latest newbuild Britannia, which was officially launched by Her Majesty The Queen on 10 March in Southampton, UK.
Designed to embody the ‘spirit of modern Britain’, the £473 million newbuild accommodates 3,647 passengers and is the largest cruise vessel to have ever been designed for the British market. The ship boasts 15 passenger decks, 26 bars and eateries and four swimming pools, as well as a three-tier atrium, a 936-seat theatre and a multi-million pound art collection.
Working in collaboration with the ship’s interior designer Richmond International, Chelsom created bespoke lighting features for various public areas.
One of the standout pieces created by Chelsom is the gold centrepiece in the Epicurean Restaurant. Running the length of the restaurant, the lighting sculpture features more than nine metres of interwoven gold gilded metal ribbons fitted with LED strips to give a warm reflective glow from the ceiling plate above.
Chelsom produced another illuminated ceiling structure for the Live Lounge bar area. The centrepiece is formed of a series of sculptural 3D diamonds in gloss black and metallic gold, which are fixed to the ceiling in pairs of smaller and larger sizes.
Meanwhile, the main wall and central treatment area of the Oasis spa also feature statement linear and circular light installations, which are comprised of transparent acrylic solid rods of varying lengths. Each rod has an individual integral LED module and is filled with bubbles to simulate a waterfall effect, where light is refracted to create a warm, ambient glow suited to the relaxing spa environment.
In addition, Chelsom supplied 12-armed custom-built copper chandeliers for the ship’s Supper and Limelight Clubs and a quartet of bespoke rectangular LED fittings in matt black, which provide functional lighting for the chefs in the Cookery Club.
“We have worked with P&O Cruises on a number of projects over recent years and it was a true privilege to have been part of such a prestigious project as Britannia,” said Will Chelsom, director of Chelsom. “To be able to add Britannia to our marine portfolio is undoubtedly a real honour and is testimony to the expertise we have accumulated within the marine sector. With a number of high profile marine projects on the horizon for 2015 and beyond this will hopefully further cement our reputation as one of the leading designers and suppliers of decorative lighting to the international marine sector.”