Founded in Vienna, Austria, KALMAR has been designing and manufacturing high quality luminaires and fixtures since 1881. First specializing in the production of handcrafted objects of cast bronze, the company soon established its practice of closely collaborating with prominent architects to create chandeliers and other cast bronze objects in Austria, Europe and the United States. After the turn of the century, the company shifted its focus away from the eclectic style of the late 19th century and sought modernity by combining classical tradition and contemporary innovation. It was then, that KALMAR began to flourish, producing light fittings for prominent Austrian architects and designers, and playing a significant part in the Wiener Werkstaetten design movement. As the company grew, the size and scope of its contracts increased, and soon it was producing chandeliers and major installations at renowned locations in Vienna and around the world.
KALMAR’s purpose then remains the same as it does today; producing and manufacturing high-quality custom designs, delivered with the highest service levels. This holds true for all areas of KALMAR but has clearly led them to becoming industry leaders in marine lighting.
Over the course of 30 years working in the cruise ship industry, KALMAR’s Marine division has been involved in the manufacturing, delivery and installation of chandeliers and lighting fittings for more than 70 cruise ships.
An expert in decorative and functional lighting at sea, KALMAR has worked with acclaimed companies such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and others, providing custom made chandeliers and lighting solutions for yachts and cruise ships such as Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Queen Victoria, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dreams, and Celebrity Edge, to name a few.
Needless to say, cruise ship lighting is subject to very specific requirements. Lighting for public areas such as restaurants, casinos etc. has to follow strict regulations for marine use. Hence, installation is always executed in collaboration with the respective shipyards. In order to complement the features of a space, KALMAR’s design development team collaborates closely with the interior designers. As all KALMAR lighting objects are custom designs, such elaborate lighting configurations require a high level of technical expertise, creativity and flexibility. Specifications, the choice of materials, illumination level and intensity are closely coordinated with the lighting consultants and the result is an original and unique overall appearance every time.
KALMAR’s variety of experience, producing custom-made light fixtures on land and at sea, is unique in the industry. Their history, as contributors to a design movement at the turn of the century, combined with the expertise required to meet the structural and mechanical challenges when delivering a 5 meter tall imperial-style chandelier, or 8 meter tall atrium chandelier, has become KALMAR’s particular hallmark of expertise, and keeps their customers returning time and again.