27 February 2023 – The new division sees Dornelas and Sigurdsen leading the company’s efforts to improve sustainability across its internal operations and cruise projects.
YSA Design has appointed Fabiana Vale Dornelas and Trond Sigurdsen as Head of Sustainability & Implementation and Head of Sustainability & Technology, respectively. In the newly created roles, Dornelas, Senior Interior Architect, and Sigurdsen, Senior Architect & Partner, will jointly coordinate YSA’s efforts to advance sustainability throughout its own organisation and across every aspect of its cruise ship interior design work.“The creation of a Sustainability department reflects our commitment to achieving the highest environmental standards in our design work as well as in our internal processes,” said Jan Krefting, YSA Design Chairman, Partner and Senior Architect. “Fabiana and Trond’s experience working on cruise projects with a focus on sustainability made them the ideal candidates to lead this new and important company division.”As a design studio that counts environmental responsibility among its core values, YSA Design already takes a painstaking approach to materials selection that places as much emphasis on sustainability as it does on style and function. In addition, the company only uses wood from managed forests and, where possible, sources materials locally to minimise transport emissions.
With Dornelas’s input, YSA has increasingly favoured lightweight, durable products that are manufactured using sustainable methods and can be recycled or disposed of responsibly at the end of their service life. Sigurdsen, meanwhile, specialises in state-of-the-art design solutions that can help shipowners to save space and minimise weight on board their vessels for optimal efficiency.“I am proud and excited to have been appointed YSA Design Head of Sustainability & Implementation,” commented Dornelas. “While environmental concerns have been part of the company’s motivation from the beginning, there is always room for improvement. With this new division, we aim to set new standards in the sustainability of our design processes and materials selection as well as in the running of our office. I look forward to working with Trond and the rest of the team towards a greener future for YSA.”“Having recently stepped down as YSA Design Chairman, I have been able to dedicate more of my time to the cutting-edge design and project work for which the company is renowned,” said Sigurdsen. “Now, as heads of the new Sustainability division, Fabiana and I will combine our expertise to frame and implement sustainable strategies relating to our materials selection, architectural processes, use of technology, office procedures – even the planning of our social events. I can’t wait to get started.”YSA Design has proposed advanced eco-friendly solutions such as photovoltaic technology on vessels to capture energy that would otherwise be lost and solar panelling on penthouse suite roofs to encourage premium guests to pay a supplement for greener accommodation. In a recent project, a YSA team led by Sigurdsen and Dornelas completed extensive design work on board MSC World Europa, a modern, first-in-class, LNG-powered vessel featuring cutting-edge sustainable technology such as a solid oxide fuel cell demonstrator and a ‘Baltic standard’ advanced wastewater system.
About YSA Design
Founded in 1985, YSA Design is one of the world’s leading architects and design studios for the cruise ship industry. It has decades of experience that extends from the concept stage, to General Arrangements, interior and exterior design solutions, materials selection and project management in the shipyard. In recent years, we have also completed a growing number of land-based commissions.Our philosophy is to deliver designs that are both functional and unique: we do not limit our customers to one style; instead, we offer diversity and designs that are tailor-made for each commission. YSA Design’s creative process rests on three pillars: close relationships with clients; our talented and innovative staff; and the skills and experience of our founding partners. For more information, visit www.ysa.design.
