The MS Schwaben is one of the oldest passenger boats on Lake Constance and the heart of the White Fleet of the Lake Constance Shipping Company (BSB). The ship, built in 1937, has long been considered as one of the most beautiful motor vessel constructions of the 1930s and was put under heritage protection in 2014. Two years later, the BSB decided to revitalise the MS Schwaben. The Stuttgart-based architecture firm IDA Interior Design Allmendinger was awarded the contract to restructure the ship.
GANTER carried out the project as the main contractor. In just six months, Ganter managed to bring the beauty of the floating cultural monument to radiant life again. In order to implement the art déco concept, Ganter completely hollowed out the 530 m2 motor vessel, removed the asbestos and finally rebuilt, converted and renovated the ship, taking into account the interior elements under heritage protection.
All the floors were removed and relaid, and individual walls and roofs were re-installed. In the process, the ship was equipped with up-to-the-minute technology, new electrical installations and sanitary facilities. Vibration decoupling was used in the construction to protect people on board from unpleasant vibrations, noise and disturbance sources. The room acoustics on board were optimised at the same time. The MS Schwaben was also brought up to date in terms of fire protection with new, fire-retardant insulation. When renovating the interior, the wooden components which contributed to the MS Schwaben’s being put under heritage protection in 2014 were retained in their original form: the wooden staircases, sideboards and columns were elaborately restored.
The result of the renovation work is a modern cruise ship which carries visitors off into the 20s and 30s: in the interior, a colour progression was used from the predominantly dark, muted tones on the main deck via the upper deck to the sun deck, where light colour and material contrasts produce transparency and brightness. On the main deck, the blue tones of the gleaming velvet fabrics harmonise with the floral art déco patterns of the wallpaper and dark wall paint; this overall impression contrasts with the upper storeys, where large window areas virtually dissolve the impression of the wall surfaces. The installations and furnishings on the three levels have been retained in popular art déco colours: seating groups, sofas and lounge armchairs custom-made by Ganter are upholstered in petrol and ocean blue or mustard yellow, lending elegance and atmosphere to the furnishings.
The heritage-protected staircases and pear wood wall panellings are now set off to particular advantage by the wall paint in petrol and grey hues. The gentle curves and elegant contours of these original installations are repeated in the design vocabulary of the furnishings and the wall decoration. These curvy and streamlined forms were modern in the 1930s. With their rounded corners and horizontal lines, they evoke nautical design elements and lend a certain airiness to the interior.
Other formative elements are the illuminated ceilings which imitate skylights to light up the interior rooms and were specially designed and manufactured for this motor vessel. A special gimmick are the Quick Scan Codes located on the walls in the entrance area, which take visitors on a journey through time to experience the historical MS Schwaben on their smartphone.
With a project volume of EUR 1.5 million, the revitalisation of the MS Schwaben with an interior in the new art déco design of the 1930s was one of the largest construction projects by the BSB Bodensee Schifffahrt. Christoph Witte, BSB division manager for ship and harbour technology, referred to the “revitalisation” of the MS Schwaben as a “major project”.
The MS Schwaben was back on Lake Constance by 30 March, in time for the start of the season. After initial maiden voyages, it will now be used for regular scheduled voyages during the entire season. Find opportunities to experience this floating cultural monument for yourself here.
