Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1546848
Contact your local Viking travel advisor, call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ) or visit viking.com | 21 Viking's distinctive Scandinavian design—a collaboration between Viking founder Torstein Hagen and architect Richard Riviere, founding principal of Rottet Studio—is based on creating more with less. RESIDENTIAL MODERNISM Eschewing typical cruise ship glitz, Riviere has opted for an airy, natural style he describes as "residential modernism," featuring clean lines, a natural palette and "without a lot of the frou- frou that you might find on other ships." SCANDINAVIAN INFLUENCES He has also leaned heavily into Viking's Norwegian heritage, creating spaces influenced by Scandinavian style and history. Macramé window coverings evoke ship riggings, while wood panelling nods to the clinker-built style of early Viking vessels. Materials such as Swedish limestone, black slate and juniper wood also take their cues from Scandinavian nature. DESIGNED FOR COMFORT Viking is all about exploring the world in comfort. This posed an interesting design challenge. "Exploration and comfort are not always in the same sentence, right?" says Riviere. "That creates a little bit of visual tension and a lot of opportunities for an architect." Instead of providing more stimulation back on board, he designed soothing interiors as a palate cleanser between experiences. A SPACE FOR REFLECTION After a day of exploration, the ship is a comforting home base you can return to and recharge. "To be able to capture that as a memory, you need to have that chance to sit back and relax," Riviere says. "That's why I kind of rebel against the idea of resort architecture as entertainment. This is a place you come back to—it's beautiful, it's restful." WELLNESS AND HYGGE AT SEA A focus on comfort and contentment—what the Danes call "hygge"—is evident throughout the ships, from cosy reading nooks to spaces that foster a sense of togetherness. Instead of a lobby, Viking guests congregate in their "living room." "It's not some impersonal hotel lobby where you're going to go with 500 other people," explains Riviere. "No—this is your living room. This is a place that you can sit and relax and have a conversation with friends." THE ART OF TRAVEL If the journey is as important as the destination, Viking has elevated that journey to an art form. The thoughtful architecture and interior details of Viking's fleet do not just complement and amplify new destinations—they invite travellers to find home in any corner of the globe. This article was produced for Viking by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions and has been abridged for length. EXPLORERS' LOUNGE