DECON S.A. is a leading European marine interior outfitter serving clients across the world since 1960. DECON designs and constructs complete vessel interiors utilizing materials and fittings produced at its own factory facilities. These bespoke designs are uniquely produced for each turnkey project and client’s needs by its experienced team. Recently, we interviewed DECON to find out more about their innovative designs and most exciting projects.
Can you tell us a bit more about DECON and the services and products it provides?
Established in Piraeus, Greece, in 1960, DECON began as a specialist in shipbuilding carpentry. The company was first involved in interior outfitting for projects using wood as the main raw material. Since then we have expanded to offer a variety of marine outfitting services worldwide, operating in Korea, Spain, Portugal and France. Our services include design, management and execution of technical projects, from carpentry, plating, electrical and plumbing work to air-conditioning, painting, and upholstery.
By staying abreast of technological developments and observing new safety requirements, DECON has been certifying and producing its own B15 partition materials since 1993 and has adopted all new construction methods, incorporating fire-resistant/retardant building and decoration materials into its production and execution. Our factory facilities in Aspropygyros, Greece, also feature other departments including heavy-type metal construction, woodworking, dyeing, and packaging. We pay special attention to use eco –friendly, sustainable materials that reduce your environmental impact. We also strictly select all of our raw materials, accessories, materials, production and implementation processes. In addition to this, we continuously monitor all procedures to provide our clients with only the best.
DECON has worked with a variety of cruise lines and shipyards. Could you tell us a bit more about some of your most challenging or unique projects?
DECON undertakes demanding projects for shipyards, cruise ships and luxury yachts. We design interiors for public areas, crew spaces, and passenger cabins. We can offer a full range of our services to assist in these projects, working together with on-site project managers and designers for effective cooperation and coordination. Designing cruise ship interiors can be challenging as the design team must marry aesthetics with safety and functionality. We account for a variety of considerations including weight, IMO certifications and material sustainability and recyclability when designing solutions.
We have been honoured throughout the years to manage projects of the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, including MSC Cruises’ World Class Series and Vista project, Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class Series and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Oasis Class. In Brodosplit shipyard, we have successfully completed interiors for M/V HONDIUS, a Polar Class 6 expedition vessel owned by Oceanwide Expeditions. Within the Greek market, our company continuously participates in the completion of Mega Yachts.
Celebrity Edge class
We designed many elements and spaces for Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class vessels, including the construction of solid ipe wood steps that used natural materials to evoke a nature inspired interior. Onboard designs also included a curved balustrade and glasses, with inclined panels featuring removable fabric elements. These were then tied together by a central stand featuring bronze elements that included the Zodiac Circle, to encapsulate the meaning behind the ship series’ name: transporting passengers to the far edges of the world.
Oasis class
DECON also worked on various design elements on board the Oasis Series of vessels for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Some features DECON delivered include the central pillars within one of the vessel’s restaurants, a chandelier with illuminated colourful plexiglass wavy fins, laminates and stainless steel decorative elements, as well as a glass bridge with stainless steel handrails. Other design elements include ceilings and bar counters in bespoke designs and shapes.
DECON offers turnkey services, managing all phases of the project. Can you tell us more about this process?
Our company collaborates with certificated and experienced partners, each an expert in their field. These include plumbing, electrical works, ducts, A/C, and more. In cooperation with them, we form the specifications, the budget and the timeline agenda and oversee the general coordination: project management, quality control and systems’ commissioning.
In just three months’ time, DECON will be exhibiting at Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe 2022. Can you give us a preview of what we can look forward to seeing at your stand?
At our stand (stand 913), you can see our project presentations and learn more about the scope of work we can provide as a leading marine outfitter. You will also have the opportunity to meet our company’s executives who can share more about DECON. This involves our brand story and project process when working with cruise lines. We will also be on the lookout for new products and companies to collaborate with in cruise interiors. This is a central part of our strategy for the future development of DECON’s services and business.
Want more of this?
Check out the Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Europe blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. CSI Design Expo Europe is a specialised conference and exhibition catered exclusively to the European cruise interior design industry, with a unique focus on Europe’s luxury ocean, river, and expedition cruising. The next event will be taking place on 4 – 5 December 2024 alongside the Sustainable Design Summit at Excel London.