Mardi Gras, The Designer Antonio Di Oronzo:"An elegant ship, respectful of the sea traditions"

Ph: Carnival Mardi Gras

The wait is finally over, after the first sea navigations, Mardi Gras is finally ready to welcome the passengers and to sail from the shipyard in Meyer-Turku, Finland, where it was built. This is the biggest ship of the Carnival CL’s fleet to which Bluarch gave its contribution designing the livery at the exterior.

To better understand the importance of its design and how it will affect the passengers, we have asked a few questions to the designer Antonio Di Oronzo, “captain” of Bluarch and professor at Parsons School of Design.

What inspired the concept of this project?

The project of a cruise ship is always based on the creation of a positive and memorable experience. The spaces must be intuitive and the perspectives long and clear. Our aim was to design an elitistic ship but playful at the same time. The architectural gestures are audacious and the colours are full of light.

How will the design of the Mardi Gras impress the thousands of guests and harbours all over the world?

The client wanted an elegant vessel but it had to be respectful of the sea traditions at the same time. We designed the exteriors in a structural way but according to the architectural simplicity and with an original but timeless note.

In which details will we find onboard Bluarch’s architectural ideology?

We think that architecture is within and outside its tenants. Our intention is to constantly explore humanity and to know its thoughts. These ships too reflects this research in the design of fluid spaces and of those details with a hidden complexity

What was the biggest challenge in designing the livery of the ship for such a high number of people, respecting the tradition of such a high end company as Carnival?

The biggest challenge was to keep under control the scale of the ship which is the second biggest one in the world. The initial goal was to understand its moving and fixed perspectives. We understood then, that the ship had to be understood from right from the start and also in related positions that had three-quarter perspectives or even shorter.

What are, in your opinion, the design objects that can’t be left out of the holiday environment?

More than on objects I’d rather rely on memories. The travel memory must be positive and the experiences must be lived to the bone. Bluarch always aims to design experiences that indulge in memory.

About Antonio Di Oronzo