37 seen as disruptors and upstarts,” says Calle. “This early work allowed us to hire more people and buy a few computers, which helped us become more efficient and grow our company culture. We weren’t big on rules or conventional thinking, and this mindset attracted more talent to our team, as well as new work.” Eventually, the firm moved into a studio in Coral Gables, which Calle says made the team feel “grown up and serious”. While the firm has since outgrown its original studio and is now seeking a larger space, it has retained its innovative spirit and forward-thinking approach. “We still have a lot of fun with our work and that makes a huge difference,” says Calle. “Our clients notice – they like to visit and roll up their sleeves to join us for work sessions and charettes. These partnerships are why we keep doing what we do.” Approaching every project with this progressive mindset has enabled Studio DADO to challenge long-standing interior design conventions and redefine how the industry envisions the onboard experience. For example, by rethinking how food and beverage venues are designed, the firm has reshaped the role the culinary offering plays in the overall guest experience, says Mesa. “Cruise lines once centred their food and beverage offerings on a limited set of operational models, but now a ship’s culinary identity carries as much weight as its itineraries,” he says. “That’s especially true for cruise lines like Oceania Cruises and Regent Cruises, where guests make booking decisions based on the promise of Michelin-level cuisine and atmosphere. Every project gives us a chance to interpret cuisine through materials, lighting, sound and movement.” This is exemplified onboard Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Allura, which debuted in July 2025. “Oceania Allura showcases some of the best work we’ve done,” says Calle. “The ship sets a new standard for luxury at sea and embodies the brand’s focus on culinary excellence. One reason it stands out is because we designed so many of the spaces – including staterooms, dining venues and public areas. This allowed us to create seamless transitions between spaces and develop a unified onboard experience – everything feels intentional, curated and considered. It’s not something most designers think “ NCLH gave us our first big break” Jorge Mesa Studio DADO focuses on the small details when designing spaces like Norwegian Prima’s Onda By Scarpetta restaurant and Oceania Allura’s library. Top, Art-Deco-styled bevelled mirrors, marble surfaces and bold accent tones evoke the Roaring Twenties in Oceania Allura’s Martini Bar Photo; Douglas Friedman Photo; Douglas Friedman Photo; Christian Santiago
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=