Carnival

When Carnival UK chose to consolidate their operations into one HQ, they decided that Southampton, the number one cruise port in North West Europe, would make an ideal home. As owner of famous cruise lines such as P&O & Cunard, they sought to create a work environment which reflects the company’s position and provides an inspiring work place for their 900 staff.

Wood&Wood worked with designers HOK to create a full range of signage for this stunning new building, which has vistas over the cruise ships as they come into port.

The structure is constructed largely of glass and uses light and colour effectively throughout. Wood&Wood used appropriate methods of fabrication to maximise this effect.

Each floor is colour themed using a 10 metre x 2.5 metre digitally printed image onto aluminium composite panels. Glass partitions feature shipping charts in vibrant colours, which are reversed onto clear glazing providing a transparent effect. Continuing with the cruising theme, each meeting room represents a port of call, with striking images of cities like Barcelona and Bangkok digitally printed onto glass and lit using natural daylight. The graphics in the breakout areas are fabricated using digitally printed anti scuff laminate wrapped onto aluminium composite board to provide durability.

Within the work areas there are few solid walls so prismatic cases surround the central columns, these house white boards and LCD screens that deliver streaming media and provide up to date information for staff.

The reception, lobby and lift areas carry a range of directional signage which includes bespoke Modular Sign System directories that wrap around the wall corners creating a curved effect and a reception directory fabricated from screen printed aluminium panels which are halo illuminated.

This project is an excellent example where signage merges with design to create a truly homogenous interior.