Brighton-based DesignLSM have designed nook 5 at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe. With plenty of industry-leading suppliers and cruise-line representatives in attendance, these nooks will host a variety of business meetings. Find out more about Design a Nook here.

In this guest article, Managing Director of DesignLSM Holly Hallam writes about how the effect of global warming on our planet is a worldwide issue which is of growing importance to travellers – read on…


Holly Hallam, DesignLSM: High on the political agenda, the hospitality sector is increasingly taking responsibility to do as much as they can to limit their impact on the earth’s natural resources.

But being sustainable isn’t just about limiting the impact on the Earth, it is also about how you can make your business better for both planet and people.

“Cruise lines are at the forefront in developing responsible environmental practices. Worldwide, the industry has invested more than $23.5 billion in ships with new technologies and cleaner fuels to reduce air emissions and achieve greater energy efficiencies.”

Cruising.org

From a design perspective, UK-based DesignLSM – who curate immersive and exceptional hospitality experiences for today’s ever-expectant consumers, have done a vast piece of work on sustainability around alternative materials that are sustainable, whilst also looking at our supply chain to ensure we are purchasing and creating products from valued and trusted sources that take responsibility.

The Market, 22 Bishopsgate. DesignLSM curated a space around the wellbeing of the people; designing with purpose around mental and physical health – maximising natural daylight, planning open sightlines and quiet spaces, utilising natural materials, and playing with tactility and colour around the emotional needs of the consumer.

Innovation in design has led to some incredibly intelligent alternative solutions, Timber Terrazzo, as an example, a brilliant British brand makes sustainable reclaimed timber terrazzo used for wood flooring – other materials such as Mycelium, rammed earth and Hemp concrete are all light weight and ingenious uses of natural materials to make alternative base products. These materials are not just beneficial due to their provenance but also for their beauty and tactility that they introduce into a space. We believe we will be seeing more of these innovative technologies come through in design over the next few years.

Just as important as the choice of materials is considering the circular economy of the FF&E – analysing the location of production, construction methods, lifecycle and ability to transform the product at the end of its original use.

Sustainable design creates not only an environmental benefit but can also be a means of communicating a brand’s core principles and ethics, which may resonate with eco-conscious cruise travellers.

Consumers are increasingly looking to brands to be more transparent about their values, holding them accountable to their actions beyond their offer – understanding their environmental footprint and taking actions to close the environmental loop.

Another focus around the issue of sustainability in design, is also about sustaining one’s physical and mental wellbeing – creating environments that promote health, clarity and inner calm. Our recent project The Market at 22 Bishopsgate, saw us curate a space around the wellbeing of the people; designing with purpose around mental and physical health – maximising natural daylight, planning open sightlines and quiet spaces, utilising natural materials, and playing with tactility and colour around the emotional needs of the consumer.

The task ahead is vast, but by making small adjustments in our approach to creativity and tapping into innovative design solutions, we can all work together towards a greener future.


Meet DesignLSM at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe 2021.

Find out more about the show here.