Client: Celebrity Cruises, Inc.

Location: Miami, FL, United States

Completion date: 2008

Project Team

Architect

Deana Martin

Wilson Butler Architects

Artist

Jim Garland, President

Fluidity

Overview

As the master planner and lead design firm for Celebrity Solstice, Wilson Butler Architects (WBA) envisioned a contemporary and timeless design for Celebrity Cruises' latest prototype. WBA’s concept was to create a ‘sense of place’ for passengers while aboard the ship designing intimate spaces for a memorable, serene and individual vacation experience.
The Solarium sits below a glass roof with integral solar panels infusing the space with natural light. This pool space is anchored by a 20 ft x 14 ft waterfall and laminar fountain. At night, the illuminated ‘Wall of Water’ transforms the space into an exciting destination.

Goals

As part of their brand, Celebrity Cruises historically has always integrated artwork into the passenger experience. For Solstice, several goals for integrating art included: bringing a museum experience to a cultured demographic; using art as way-finding indicators for navigating around the ship; and to provide visual interaction for passengers around every corner that exhibits in varying media and form.

Process

The process initiated with WBA articulating to the artists and consultants the design and experience intent of the overall ship via concept descriptions and architectural plans. Once all designers, artists, client groups, and collaborators were speaking the same language, the venture of commissioning and discovering art took place.