Wilson Butler Architects

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU and WE DESIGN EXPERIENCES AND PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE, the mission of Wilson Butler Architects

Wilson Butler Architects’ (WBA) founding directors, Scott Wilson and Scott Butler, started their careers working for Benjamin Thompson + Associates (Thompson was a founding member of The Architects’ Collaborative (TAC) in Cambridge together with the famous Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius). Thomson + Asscociates’ mission was designing buildings creating a “setting for an enriched way of life.” “This approach is still honored today as we design facilities which meet each client’s unique requirements, respond to the individual physical context of each site, and celebrate the joy embodied in the arts” according to WBA on their website.

With a team of ca. 30, based in Boston and with over 25 years of expertise in the area of architecture for the arts and entertainment Wilson Butler Architects’  portfolio includes civic performing arts centers, new and renovated educational arts facilities and the design of state-of-the-art entertainment venues.

All parts of the design-journey are covered as services provided include feasibility studies, programming, master planning, architectural design, interior design and  construction administration.

For WBA there is no substitute for physical representation. A model is a powerful tool bringing designs alive and helping clients see and understand spaces as well as the relationships between spaces. They make it possible for clients to explore the space, move elements around or even remove them completely. Models also enable open communication for creative direction between designers and clients concerning all aspects, like for example furniture layouts and custom carpet alongside wall finishes.

This all started when Royal Caribbean Cruises wanted to introduce true theater onboard their ships and hired WBA to turn this into reality which WBA realised in a most impressive way. Nowadays land-based theater companies turn to them to design their performance spaces with the set-up and efficiency of those on cruise ships in mind.

As WBA state: “One of our recent clients, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford, eventually revealed that they hired us because we do cruise ships and know how to move people in and out of a theater, which was one of their problems.”

Apart from the spectacular Icon of the Seas in 2024, WBA also recently finished work on Silversea’s Silver Nova (2024). This 728-passenger 54,700GT luxury ship features expansive windows to connect passengers with the spectacular surroundings they visit.  WBA utilized their expertise in theater design to create the Venetian Lounge, a grand, two story performing arts space that hosts full-scale musical productions and lectures while maintaining an intimate, “cabaret-style” feel with small tables and a balcony. The Dolce Vita Lounge, The Shelter, The Panorama Lounge and the Connoisseurs Corner also come from their drawing boards.

They also have been involved in the innovative Celebrity Edge-series of ships, (Celebrity Cruises, 2018 – 2025) particularly known for the futuristic lounge and performance space called Eden. The Eden lounge doubles as a lounge/ restaurant and spans three decks. It is situated aft and has an atmosphere maybe some guests might need getting used to. It certainly is one of the most unconventional public spaces afloat momentarily featuring artificial plants, dimmed lighting and sometimes clouds of mist and sitar music, or performances by cavemen or nymph-like dancers resulting in a mysterious space. Comparisons with Cirque du Soleil performances have been made. Add to this the mystical, a bit mysterious atmosphere. Celebrity states that this space, with it’s 270 degree floor to ceiling windows on the lower level where the  Eden Restaurant is situated has more windows than any other room afloat. It surely is one of the masterpieces of WBA.

Wilson Butler Architects (WBA) has been working together with Royal Caribbean International for over a quarter of a century now,  including all of the line’s fleet of 23 groundbreaking shps, culminating of course in the latest spectacular Icon of the Seas in 2024.

In the fall of 2016 when Royal Caribbean asked WBA to design a new prototype for what would be the largest and most impressive cruise liner ever built, their mission was clear: to provide the “Best Family Vacation on the Planet”.

Following the delivery of six Oasis class-ships (2009 to 2024), the greatest challenge was to design an even greater variety of dining, entertainment, and recreational opportunities for the Icon of the Seas and her sisters. This resulted in five new neighborhood concepts—AquaDome, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, and The Hideaway—each one appealing to a new market segment by introducing innovations such as Thrill Island’s Cat 6, the first true waterpark at sea as well as the immersive, enclosed 57-meter glass dome with its 17 m. “shapeshifting” waterfall, the tallest at sea serving as a backdrop for the high-diving and stunt performances in the Aqua Theater at night and the Overlook Bar’s panoramic views during daytime.

WBA’s master planning succeded in realizing both a smooth flow of guests with minimal wait times and crowding, combined with spectacular interior designs. An impressive achivement onboard a 5,600 (7,600 max) passenger ship!

“The Icon is massive and caters to the masses. Even so, I could carve out an experience that aligned with my preferences and travel style. The public spaces are large and airy, with views of the sea and sky, so I never felt claustrophobic.” Washington Post reporter after sailing on the Icon of the Seas.

And of course the journey continues, as without any doubt, sister ships Star of the Seas (2025) and Legend of te Seas (2026) will again feature new technology, reimagined venues, and innovative entertainment experiences. 

Portfolio

The firm’s portfolio is very diversified, having realised so many different projects over the years.

We mentioned before WBA provides different services including feasibility studies, programming, master planning, architectural design, interior design and  construction administration.

Their main business concerns designing from scratch and restoring theaters, performance spaces in general as well as architecture and design projects for art acadamies and universities.

Of course, Wilson Butler Architects (WBA) also has an extensive portfolio of work in the cruise ship industry, primarily focusing on Royal Caribbean Group brands. Their expertise spans master planning, interior design, and the creation of innovative entertainment venues.

The studio has notably contributed to the design of the latest generation of ultra-luxury ships for Silversea Cruises, which is part of the Royal Caribbean Group.

Their most prominent work for Silversea is on the Evolution-Class vessels, Silver Nova (2023) and Silver Ray (2024). Their work focused on the general public space layout and overall design concept, emphasizing a closer connection between guests and the sea by introducing uninterrupted ocean views with expansive glass walls and transparant elevators. Key aspects of their contribution include asymmetrical design as WBA helped implement a new approach, moving the engine casing to one side of the ship’s mid-section allowing for a completely new layout of public spaces and suites and a more open-concept. Regarding public area design, often in collaboration with other firms, WBA was responsible for the layout and design of various public spaces, which include new concepts and re-imagined versions of Silversea’s existing signature venues.

Over the years, the designers of WBA delivered an endless flow of groundbreaking designs for Royal Caribbean Int.:

Voyager class: design of the first full-scale Broadway theater with an orchestra pit and fly tower at sea, the La Scala Theatre on Voyager of the Seas as well as the first real-ice skating rink at sea (Studio B), on a cruise ship,

Oasis Class: WBA pioneered the “neighborhood” concept and the split-superstructure design to allow for open-air spaces like Central Park and The Boardwalk as well as the  Aqua Theatre and the Studio B ice rink/multi-purpose arena,

Icon Class: overall planning, design of multiple venues e.g., The Aquadome featuring the first AquaTheater under a glass dome, the Absolute Zero transformable ice arena and the Royal Theatre.

TUI Cruises. WBA has also worked on TUI’s Mein Schiff fleet (TUI Cruises is a joined venture between the Royal Caribbean Group and the TUI Group) for both Mein Schiff 3-4 (Klanghaus, Theater, Sports Arena ), Mein Schiff 5-6 (The Studio, Main Theater, Pool Decks) as well as Mein Schiff Relax/ Flow where  as the master planners for TUI’s newest INTUITION-class of vessels they introduced the the Entertainment District, an interconnected network of venues including Night Club D4, the Casino Lounge, and the Blaue Flora theater.

The company has been a design partner for Celebrity Cruises since the Millennium Class ships (4 ships, built 2000-2002). For the Solstice Class they realised planning and design of the Main Theater, the adult-only Solarium, and several dining and bar venues like the Bistro on 5 and Sunset Bar for the first vessel of the series, Celebrity Solstice.

Concerning the Edge Class, starting with the innovative Celebrity Edge, WBA co-designed the before mentioned architectural masterpiece Eden, a multi-level, outward-facing lounge and the theatre.

We can’t wait for the designers at WBA to come up with new spectacular public spaces be it land-based or at sea!