Studo Dado’s mantra: “Form follows Feeling”
Studio DADO is an award-winning interior design studio, based in Coral Gables, Florida. The studio was founded by four partners—Greg Walton, Javier Calle, Jorge Mesa, and Yohandel Ruiz—who brought six decades of collective experience in maritime and hospitality design. Starting in a modest 862-square-foot apartment in Miami Beach, the firm quickly scaled to meet the demands of the world’s largest cruise lines. Their proximity to the “Big Three” cruise companies in Miami allowed them to develop collaborative relationships, eventually leading them to design signature spaces for operators like Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Royal Caribbean. It was NCL who shortly after Studio Dado was founded agve them their first assignment which was a bit of a gamble at the time, but Studio Dado came up with brilliant results.
The firm quickly established itself as a leading design studio by focusing on their unique philosophy: “Form Follows Feeling”, a philosophy rooted in empathy. Best known for its work across the cruise industry, as the studio expanded into land-based hospitality, this motto was brought in to evolve the brand and bring their philosophy into sharper focus. With their new identity, Studio Dado more clearly show the essence of their work that great design begins with how a space makes you feel.
This leads to designs that are not only visually pleasing but authentic and functional as well. Their growth into land-based hospitality continues to be guided by their core belief: design must move people, making them feel good.
The company has earned a enviable eputation by designing the interiors of the vessels some of the world’s leading cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises. Their projects cover all aspects of ship and hospitality design, from luxurious staterooms and suites to signature restaurants, bars, lounges and other public spaces. Apart from interior architecture, space planning, custom furniture/textile design, and branding are also part of their skill-set.
DADO’s approach consists of three consecutive steps :
- It all starts with e detailed understanding of their clients wishlist so the basis for their designs can be established,
- Next, the storyline to be followed is determined. Initial research leads to the narrative that will be the basis of every design decision made on the project. “This helps us to convey the personality and soul of the environment” DADO states. An example hereof is “celebrating the great masters of 20th century architecture”, the theme of Cagney’s Steakhouse onboard NCL’s Norwegian Aqua. Inspired by the architecture of Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van de Rohe, the space mixes a series of tough materials like concrete, wood and precious marbles. Melding boldness with elements of rawness and purity of form, guests are immersed in a space that sets an expectation of excellence: excellence of menu, service and experience. Comfortable large dining chairs, the perfect dining experience while architectural light elements create a special atmosphere this space will surely be totally different and like nothing guests have ever experienced before.
- Finally the creation-phase makes the story unfold into a tangible creation of the space. From the daring general design to the smallest of details, every element comes together to make an emotional connection with the guest.
Recently, Studio Dado is actively diversifying into land-based hospitality, actively seeking opportunities to apply its renowned human-centered, guest focused design philosophy, “Form Follows Feeling”, to hotels and resorts. While their “brand was built at sea”, Studio DADO has recently expanded into land-based hospitality, applying their expertise in interior design and lifestyle luxury to hotels and resorts.
Diversification also shows in the firm’s broader portfolio, under the name “Dadō Design”, separate from “Studio DADO and including full-scale residential and commercial design services in the Denver area. These residential projects are characterized by a holistic approach, focusing on materials, texture, and all within the context of “Form follows Feeling”of course.
Studio DADO’s current projects are committed to both its established luxury cruise roots and an ambitious expansion into new markets. By always prioritizing the feeling of a space over mere aesthetics, they continue to deliver environments that are not just beautifully appointed, but also create this special atmosphere the firm is known for.
Studio DADO’s recent cruise-industry-related design projects have brought many remarkable creatice changes to the modern cruise industry, some examples:
- Throughout the pandemic they worked on the accommodation and spa of Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras (2021). At the time, Carnival Cruise Line was focusing on lifting the brand to a higher level, keeping in mind they are the fun ships line,which is their famous mantra. But in the future they wanted fun with a bit more sophistication and as well as more attention to design .Carnival deployed London-based design firm DCA to create the initial design of the accommodation, and then asked Studio DADO to take over and evaluate the design. They kept the features that were important for Carnival, and then took the design more in the new direction of where the brand was going. Studio Dado had to design 2,000 staterooms, all adding to cost and weight, but by carefully zooming in on the design this potential issue could be solved beforehand for example by reducing the weight of light fixtures in ccoperation with the manufacturers.
- Also, Studio DADO has worked on its first river cruise ship: American Cruise Lines’ American Melody, delivered in October 2021. Competition from brands like America Queen Steamboat Company and Viking River Cruises meant that American cruise Lines had to uplift the brand to stay competitive. Studio Dado designed stylish interiors with a luxury feel celebrating America. This was achieved by using blue and red, America’s colours, in the ship’s lounges.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Prima Class. DADO played a pivotal role in the “Project Leonardo” (Prima Class) ships, reinventing the Penrose Atrium—a three-deck glass-walled space—and signature dining venues like Onda by Scarpetta and Los Lobos. For their new Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Cruise Line hired a range of designers to work on the ship, from Studio DADO to Rockwell Group, Lissoni, SMC, YSA and Tillberg Design of Sweden, among others. Studio DADO designed the ship’s staterooms. NCL wanted to position their brand as a premium brand and made a conscious decision that at sea space is a luxury so creating a spacious stateroom was the main objective. Studio Dado designed expansive staterooms with probably one of the largest bathrooms in this class of ships, it feels more like a hotel bathroom than a cruise ship bathroom. Of course staterooms are prefabricated but by adapting the design-details they do not have the look and feel of mass-produced staterooms thus enhancing the guest experience.
- Studio DADO has recently also been working on Regent Seven Seas Grandeur (2023) cruise ship. They had worked on the two sister ships, Splendor and Explorer previouslyy. Grandeur is the last ship in that class, and they have succeeded in transforming areas (on the two sister ships) into whole new spaces. e.g. the steak house and the Compass Rose dining room. The owners suite ahs been given a more contemporary feel compared with her sister ships, it now breathes the atmosphere of a luxury penthouse in New York with its furniture being almost pieces of art. Even a personal gym has been added. Dado also designed key areas like the Observation Lounge and Serene Spa. The ultra-luxury picture was completed with custom millwork, rare marbles, and hand-picked art.
- Oceania Cruises: Vista and Allura: The studio was the leading architect for the entire Vista vessel, creating a cohesive design language across the ship. They designed every suite category, focusing on an as they say “airy feeling of calm” resulting in a luxury residential penthouse atmosphere rather than a standard cabin.
Studio DADO has receieved an impressive number of awards during its relatively short existence:
- A remarkable one was the Award for Design Excellence (ADEX), distinguishing the firm’s inaugural textile line, the “Voyages Collection,” which has made considerable waves in the cruise and hospitality markets since its release. In partnership with Kravet, a fifth-generation industry leader in textiles and home furnishings, the design studio’s debut of the luxury leisure-inspired collection, marks the first release from the collaborative product line with plans for expansion.
Being the largest and most prestigious design competition in architecture and design, the ADEX is the industry’s recognition of approval for groundbreaking designs that demonstrate superior innovation, function and aesthetics. An anonymous panel of top professionals representing a cross section of the design industry conducts all voting for the ADEX Awards, during the 2020-2021 submission cycle, over 600 companies participated. - Founder Yohandel Ruiz was named the 2019 Designer of the Year by the IIDA South Florida Chapter.
- Studio Dado is consistently ranked among Interior Design Magazine’s top hospitality firms globally.
With their unique design approach resulting in designs spanning from intimate suites to impressive public venues based on their renowned human-centered, guest focused design philosophy, “Form Follows Feeling”, we expect many cruiselines (and clients with land-based projects of course…) to find their way to Studio Dado in the future!
