Designer Adam D. Tihany has created a new look for Italian cruise ship company Costa Smeralda, and his latest project for the brand includes a museum of Italian design aboard a ship. And while we might not find ourselves aboard a cruise ship in the very near future, we can dream of our next trip with a side of design.
Tihany and his team worked closely with the Italian company as well as with a series of international designers such as David Rockwell and Rodolfo Dordoni, to bring the theme of ‘Italy’s Finest’ to life. The team selected furniture from Italian manufacturers from Poltrona Frau to Flos and Kartell, to enhance what Tihany calls the ‘Made in Italy sensibility’ of each space aboard the ship.
Alongside the sophisticated interiors, the ships will feature the museum displays, celebrating iconic italian design. The displays feature legendary items from Italian design history, from fashion and furniture to film and transportation, with featured brands including Paola Lenti, Molteni, Moroso, Cassina, Emu, TechnoGym and more. ‘The CoDe collection is intended as a tribute to the history of Italian-made excellence, celebrating the ongoing global influence of Italian creativity. The museum exemplifies the ship’s theme, Italy’s finest, showing guests some of the most iconic moments in Italian design history,’ reads a Costa Smeralda statement.
Italian architect Matteo Vercelloni, former Professor of History of Design at Milan’s Politecnico, is curating the displays, devising a space that is an interactive ‘walkthrough’ installation to captivate visitors.
‘Unlike any other passageway onboard, the museum’s highly contemporary stainless steel portal meets the unique design challenges of the space with a series of arches lit from the inside,’ commented Tihany. ‘As the rings of the tunnel separate, guests can veer off the pathway to explore the exhibition spaces to the right and left of the arches. Whether just passing through or lingering over the collection, the CoDe will enrich the guest experience by celebrating Italy’s Finest in design.’ §
