1 1 6 The three masts of Sea Cloud Spirit created design challenges for the firm, which worked hard to ensure guests feel the same level of luxury in cabins of various sizes INTERV IEW A design studio with a difference Stefan Seidenfaden and Timo Hogestraat of Partner Ship Design tell Elly Yates-Roberts about the firm’s diverse portfolio of projects and why partnership is the name of their game The 21st century is becoming synonymous with celebrating difference, uniqueness and diversity. This is a principle German firm Partner Ship Design has built its business on to allow it to deliver the types of designs that will create unique ships and passenger experiences. This focus has led to its success on a wide range of ships. “We are incredibly proud of our diverse portfolio, which includes everything from AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcosma to Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras, Costa Cruises’ Costa Smeralda and Lindblad Expeditions’ Hanse Explorer,” says Stefan Seidenfaden, a junior partner at Partner Ship Design. “I don’t know how many other design studios have worked on such a variety of vessels. It makes us very different to the rest of the industry. We work very hard to understand the owners’ requests and their vision for the future of their brand. We put this all together and to produce high-quality vessels.” Despite its vast portfolio, Partner Ship Design is heavily involved in every part of the ships it creates. “It’s not just about the interior design,” says Timo Hogestraat, a junior partner at Partner Ship Design. “We work on light fittings, staircases, fabrics and materials, colours, shapes, structures. Partner Ship Design can develop general arrangement plans from scratch, so we know exactly how everything works and is connected. “Working on the general arrangement plan means we have influence over the steel structure and can make it fit the required functions. Obviously, we must adhere to regulations, but beyond that we have a lot of scope to be creative. We work on the logistics, the position of the functional elements and the accommodation areas to create an optimised layout.” “It’s all about creating exciting designs that evoke the right atmosphere and emotions,” says Seidenfaden. A perfect example of this is the firm’s work on Sea Cloud Spirit – a three-masted sailing ship operated by Germany-based Sea Cloud Cruises. “This was a completely different project for us. For example, there are three masts that run through the superstructure from the lower decks, which directly impact the onboard spaces,” says Seidenfaden. “Due to the ship’s geometry the layout of the cabins varies, but they all have to be the same size and offer the same level of luxury.”
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