Generally it is thought that chandeliers do not yield to the yacht market. People think they are fragile, not seaworthy and will not withstand salty environments and vibrations. Since the structure of chandeliers is completely different and difficult to ordinary pendant lighting, they require sophisticated engineering in order to protect the fragile crystal parts. However, with some modifications they can be converted to suit the yacht market and create an impressive design statement.Crystal Caviar are specialised in custom lighting within moving objects such as yachts, aircrafts and trains. Developed over a number of years, Crystal Caviar‘s specialist knowledge has been applied to fittings used in hotels in earthquake zones and sea coast areas with high corrosive environment. Crystal Caviar‘s know-how comes from centuries of proven technology and tradition of Bohemian crystal production.
How do you design and build a chandelier for yachts?
The owner or designer usually has a certain concept of lighting. They know roughly the size and the style of the chandelier required, whether that is classical, art deco, flower theme, Mother Nature theme, contemporary or ultramodern. The chandelier usually complements the style of the whole space, the colours and textures on other surfaces and the atmosphere.
The next step is the size, glass and glass technology specification. Here Crystal Caviar can suggest and develop the designer´s ideas, creating a feasible concept with appropriate materials. After the design is approved, the testing period starts. Every part of the chandelier is tested in weathering chambers. Parts are exposed to salty environment in special chambers. Parts and an assembled chandelier are tested on vibration platforms to check for latent faults and tension in the glass to avoid rattling. Sometimes unexpected rattling occurs on the platform. It is then rectified through a system of vibration dumpers, silentblocks, silicone beads or gluing the rattling parts. As the director of Crystal Caviar says, “Firstly, the chandelier has to be safe – then it can be beautiful”.
An extremely important part of the process is the onboard installation. Even a beautifully designed and well-produced chandelier, if not installed properly, can result in disaster if the final aesthetic and durability is wrong. On yachts, there are very experienced outfitters constructing the luxury interior spaces, so agreeing the interface and fixings is usually solved easily. Crystal Caviar provides the requirements for power supplies and the interface between the chandelier and ship structure. The chandelier can be installed by the outfitter, or when required, by a skilled in-house team from Crystal Caviar. The building and installation of a chandelier can be, with proper planning, a trouble-free turnkey project.
Amongst those designers who have made a bold decision and experienced the additional impact a chandelier can have on their design include: Andrew Winch Designs, H2 yacht design, Reymond Langton yacht design, Guido de Groot, A Massari yacht design and Evan K Marshal, to name just a few. Some of these designers have successfully used chandeliers as big as ten metres long in their interior designs. They have created a unique chandelier concept for their projects and by doing so have enhanced the beauty of their yacht interiors. Crystal Caviar is proud to work for many designers on a variety of projects on and off the sea.
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