Yacht Interior Design

By: Rick Hess/Mae Case, DI

When does a sea vessel cross the line from being just an ordinary boat to an extravagant yacht?

While both give us the unique experience of enjoying life on the high seas , yachts, known to be the epitome of excess and luxury, allow affluent people to marry their love for the sea with their penchant for lavish living. With the most costly yachts in the world surpassing the $300 million mark in building costs, these vessels may be the most expensive option in both luxury goods and vacation retreats. When budget isn’t an issue, yacht interior designers, builders and owners pull out all the stops to create over-the-top sea dwellings.

Even when cost is not the most significant factor in yacht design, it remains a major one due to the extra challenges that surface when adapting current design trends from the mainland to the special conditions of being out at sea. Being mindful of the unique surroundings allow yacht designers to create innovative design solutions without sacrificing personal design aesthetics. The Design Institute of San Diego explores some of these most outrageous yachts, and “superyachts,” sailing through the ocean blue at the moment.   Allow this post to pull you inside the realm of yacht interior design and leave you sailing into the horizon.

Yacht Interior Design Ideas

Superyacht taTii

taTii, Year Completed: 2009, Interior Designer: Tamsen Yachts and Ivan Erdevicki | Yacht Interior Design | DI Interior Design Blog | Design Institute of San Diego

Superyacht taTii, Year Completed: 2009, Interior Designer: Ivan Erdevicki – ER Yacht Design

The taTii Superyacht designed by Tamsen Yachts and Ivan Erdevicki with Naval Architects provides its guests with the most luxurious experience possible, including a spa, a dining area, immaculate views and plenty of room for sunbathing.   The interior is rich with materials and soft lighting, emphasizing the extravagance of the experience.

Superyacht taTii, Year Completed: 2009, Interior Designer: Ivan Erdevicki - ER Yacht Design

Superyacht taTii, Year Completed: 2009, Interior Designer: Ivan Erdevicki – ER Yacht Design

Don’t let the simple exterior fool you on this yacht named after Air Force One.  The interior has 4 themes: “luxury, comfort, elegance and absolute entertainment.”  Upon arrival, guests are immersed in a theatrical experience complete with opulent fabrics and intricate lighting. Sea Force One offers sun-drenched relaxation during the day and turns into a magnificent entertainment venue at night.

Oculus

Oculus, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Tangram 3DS | Yacht Interior Design | DI Interior Design Blog | Design Institute of San Diego

Oculus, Year Built: currently being designed, Designed by: E. Kevin Schopfer AIA, RIBA

Kevin Schopfer is designing a sleek new yacht design.  This 250-foot yacht will be able to accommodate 12 guests in classic luxury with a futuristic streak.  With 12-foot ceilings, a “low rider profile,” exquisite lighting, soft fabrics, rich textures, and plenty of gold tones, it doesn’t get much closer to a royal experience than cruising in this yacht.

Oculus, Year Built: currently being designed, Designer: Kevin Schopfer AIA

Oculus, Year Built: currently being designed, Designed by: E. Kevin Schopfer AIA, RIBA

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Zaha Hadid | Yacht Interior Design | DI Interior Design Blog | Design Institute of San Diego

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

One woman will be sure to make her mark on the future of yacht interior design: Zaha Hadid.  She is collaborating with Blohm+Voss to design and build a new era of superyachts, drawing on “fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems, with hydrodynamic research shaping the design of the hull.”  The modern curvatures of the interior architecture pull you through the spaces.  “Each yacht is an engineered platform that integrates specific hydrodynamic and structural demands together with the highest levels of comfort, spatial quality and safety,” explains Hadid.

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

One woman has made her mark on the future of yacht interior design: Zaha Hadid.  She collaborated with Blohm+Voss to design and build a new era of superyachts, drawing on “fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems, with hydrodynamic research shaping the design of the hull.”  The modern curvatures of the interior architecture pull you through the spaces.  “Each yacht is an engineered platform that integrates specific hydrodynamic and structural demands together with the highest levels of comfort, spatial quality and safety,” explained Hadid.

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Zaha Hadid Architect

Superyacht for Blohm+Voss, Year Built: currently being designed, Interior Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

A yacht design project is a unique undertaking because of the variety of special circumstances that surround it.

Like any home, a yacht’s design should be a reflection of the owner’s taste, with an interior designer at the helm to find that perfect balance of grandiose style and effective functionality. For those fortunate enough to own one, there is a common desire towards making it bigger and better than the rest. With many existing yachts boasting amenities that include saunas, gyms, theaters, recording studios, swimming pools and even helipads, there’s no denying that there is no such thing as excess in this unique facet of the yacht interior design industry.

Sources

http://www.archdaily.com/444766/zaha-hadid-designs-superyacht-for-blohm-voss/

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2015-01/christian-liaigre-seahawk-yacht-slideshow

https://www.designdiffusion.com/

https://cecilwright.com/

https://www.superyachttimes.com/

https://www.charterworld.com/news/44-metre-super-yacht-h2ome/h2ome-suite

http://www.charterworld.com/?sub=yacht-charter&charter=mytatii-6057

https://www.eryachtdesign.com/

https://www.zaha-hadid.com/

Bobrow, Jill and Kenny Wooton. Outrageous Yachts. New York: Vendome, 2009.

Kramer, Sibylle. Super Yachts: Cruising with Power and Style. Salenstein: Braun, 2012.

Llorella, Anja. Yacht Interiors. Cologne: daab, 2005.