Royal Caribean's Icon of the Seas.
For the better part of the last decade, Drew Chamberlin’s focus has been on one thing: cruise ships.
But not just any old ship—Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. A member of the Boston-based firm Wilson Butler Architects, the 2006 grad uses his skills in 3D modeling, computational design tools, and lighting design to make complex architectural designs a reality on this massive vessel.
Put into service in January of 2024, Icon of the Seas features a new concept: the AquaDome. Weighing in at 360 tons and spanning the 57-meter width of the ship, this glass and steel dome surrounds an impressive performance venue called the Aqua eater: Both designs are courtesy of the team of architects, including Chamberlin.
Q: What got you hooked on architecture?
A: A large part of it began during my time at St. John’s Prep. I was very interested in art and I took as many art electives as I could. My art teacher, Harriet Malone, was really great in that she would let me follow my own kind of curriculum based on my interests. She helped me identify that I had this strong background in science and physics, thanks to Gary Smith. That, along with some sort of artistic eye, lends itself well to architecture.
Drew Chamberlin '06.
Q: Tell us how you found your way to Wilson Butler Architects.
A: I went to Holy Cross, which didn’t have an accredited architectural major. I ended up creating my own architectural studies major there, but had to go back for my master’s at the Boston Architectural College (BAC) in order to get an accredited degree to pursue licensure.
When I was enrolled at the BAC, I started working for an architect for a little while, and then ended up getting a job with a very prestigious residential firm where I learned a great deal from my mentor there. I did a brief, temporary competition contract with Sasaki [a global design firm] in Watertown, and then I discovered Wilson Butler.
Royal Caribbean as a client is ambitious, so [Wilson Butler] is a great place to spread your wings design-wise without all the limits of budget. I had never actually thought about working on a cruise ship before then. They said, “Do you have any interest?” I said, “Yeah, that sounds fun.”
Q: How does a project like this even begin? What does the process look like?
A: So, it varies. Sometimes, Royal Caribbean has a very established idea of what they want. The firm worked on the original Aqua Theater, which was on the back of the ship and it was open air. So when they said they wanted a theater, we started adapting that same idea and concept and elements to this new space. They’re always trying to have the claim—the largest, the biggest, the longest—all of those types of things, so we’re always being pushed to the absolute limit of what is possible.
When the ship was being built in Finland, we’d be over there almost once a month, reviewing the progress, answering questions, troubleshooting problems that happened during construction that needed to be resolved, and coordinating with all the different consultants about the elements that would be going into space. Finally, once the ship was finished—after four years of people asking me if I’ve ever been on a cruise—they actually let us on.
Q: What was the coolest part of this project for you?
A: Once the ship was finished, I did get to see a rehearsal of the flying aerialists in the AquaDome. They’re fl ying through the air, there is a massive projection screen going, and the music is playing. I mean, it was so moving that I had tears streaming down my face. After five years of working on it, it was a very rewarding experience.
Q: What’s next for you and the Wilson Butler team?
A: The next project is confidential, but it’s the next class of ship, which is coming out sometime in the next few years. Then, Royal Caribbean is going to make at least four sister ships of the Icon of the Seas. But usually, it’s more iterative as you go along—just trying to figure out how to make that next class of ship more impressive than the last one. We are always trying to better ourselves in the design.
Q: Maybe the most important question: Have you yourself ever been on a cruise as simply a guest?
A: Not yet. I’m still kind of waiting for an invite to a nonworking cruise, which hopefully will happen—maybe when the second ship comes out.
P.S. Read about this father-son duo who is dedicated to giving back to the Prep.
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