The Britannia Restaurant – Cunard – Queen Anne

Submitted by: David Collins Studio
Lead Designer: Lewis Taylor, David Collins Studio
Completion Date: 03/05/2024

Open to all guests and the primary dining venue on board Queen Anne, the 2,000 sq.m Britannia Restaurant is an impressive two-tiered dining space, located over Decks 2 and 3. The interiors are inspired by a historic frieze of the Anemoi, found on board Cunard’s Queen Mary. In ancient Greek mythology, the Anemoi are Wind Gods who represent the four seasons: Boreas – the North Wind God of Winter, Zephyr – East Wind God of Spring, Eurus – East Wind God of Summer, Notus – South Wind God of Autumn.

The Wind Gods are depicted as four dramatic wall murals by illustrator John Biggs, frosted and etched onto acrylic rods. His development charcoal sketches are also framed and displayed in the dining rooms.

Overlooked by the four wind gods, the artwork and interiors are a celebration of the movement of wind, and the resulting patterns created on the sea.

The room is dominated by two central columns, rising the double height of the room. Bronze fins with plaster fill run from the columns up onto the ceiling, forming two starburst patterns. The Deck 3 edge and columns are clad in faceted mirror with integrated lighting.

The two decks have distinct colour palettes, inspired by the seasons. Blue and teal green palette on Deck 2 represents Autumn and Winter, whilst purple, pink and burgundy on Deck 3 denote Spring and Summer.

The entryway to both decks is lined in decorative marble that leads to a black and white sculptural staircase. David Collins Studio designed this so that the landing is concealed, making the form of the staircase an unbroken corkscrew. At the centre of the staircase is a dramatic floor to ceiling 6-meter-tall lighting sculpture, curated by Double Decker.

Ceiling coffer details are also inspired by the Wind Gods. A relief in the form of isobar patterns (synoptic weather charts – spacing of which are used to show wind strength and direction) is realised in plaster to the restaurant ceiling.