Top Superyacht Designers of 2017

December 26, 2017

Written by Maria Korotaeva

While some superyachts will remain with their original owners for a lifetime, those entering the charter market need more than a long list of amenities to attract the attention of a charter group. Comfort, style and wish fulfillment often feature at the top of the list for holidaymakers and honeymooners – and it comes down to the camera lens to provide a window into the invention and imagination that designers pour into these luxury vessels.

The launches of the past 12 months have provided a burst of fresh modern interiors and exteriors designed for the next generation of charterers, and while in some cases the color schemes may be very similar, the results are splendidly unique. From long-established companies to up-and-coming designers, these are the names that put themselves in the spotlight throughout 2017.

Jubilee – Oceanco

To find out more about any of the exceptional superyachts listed within, view their information pages or contact CharterWorld for upcoming availability.

Lobanov Yacht design

Having a background in automotive and industrial design, Igor Lobanov is well-suited to the superyacht industry and has a firmly established reputation for breaking established boundaries on what an exterior layout should and shouldn’t be. His work has been described as bold and futuristic and nowhere is this more apparent than with the recent launch of 110m/360ft motor yacht JUBILEE, the largest yacht launched in the Netherlands to date. The sweeping, wavering hull hides its number of decks with an optical illusion that continues even after sundown: Over two kilometres of LED lighting on the true and illusory deck overhangs illuminate her while guests maintain their privacy behind darkened windows.

Jubilee by Oceanco Photo by Francisco Martinez Photography

Discover superyacht JUBILEE.

Reymond Langton Design

This long-established design team has worked on the interiors and exteriors of some prestigious yachts, including luxury charter yachts MOGAMBO, KISMET, and AMARYLLIS. The geometric shapes and flowing natural forms of the art deco and art nouveau movements characterize the living spaces, and the influence carries over into more contemporary designs. Their latest project, 98m/322ft AVIVA from Abeking & Rasmussen, will undoubtedly make a bold statement using strong tonal contrasts and natural textures.

Aviva

Sam Sorgiovanni

Sam Sorgiovanni was chosen to design the interiors for megayacht JUBILEE after the owner visited the Oceanco shipyard and saw M/Y NIRVANA, which was in-build at the same time. Past and present collide to produce awe-inspiring functional art that encompasses guests in brilliant white and blue surroundings embellished with gold.

Nirvana

Sorgiovanni said he was inspired by “[the] cosmopolitan and vibrant city of Casablanca, with its unique blend of Arabian and European culture.” Marble such as Iranian white onyx and Golden Spider stone is applied bountifully and is the highest concentration to be used within an Oceanco superyacht.

Tim Heywood

Tim Heywood has spent over 40 years designing superyacht exteriors as has worked in collaboration with other such industry names as the late Jon Bannenberg. His latest projects were launched this year: Aboard the luxury yacht, LILI connecting indoor and outdoor spaces is an important element, where extensive windows and folding bulwarks are integrated into the design.

LILI – General view

The teak decks of superyacht NEW SECRET are as light as the champagne hull and host chaise loungers by the swimming pool, plush sunpad sofas and a bridge deck with a striking alfresco lounge with plenty of room on the aft for dancing, exercise and entertaining when not used as a touch-n-go helipad.

Amels 242 – New Secret

Learn more about superyachts NEW SECRET and LILI.

Andrew Winch

Winch Designs has been prolific in providing interiors for many of the most spectacular launches of 2017, among them being NEW SECRET (Amels), ARETI (Lurssen) and the art deco-inspired AURORA (Lurssen). The design studio has a penchant for bringing out the natural tones in wood and shaping it into 21st Century rooms both functional and entertaining. Blue and white tones have been seen consistently in recent projects of note, including the interiors for M/Y CLOUD 9, one of the largest launches of this year.

Aurora

Areti

View luxury yachts AURORA and ARETI.

Officina Italiana Design

Due to the radically different requirements of outdoor furnishings compared to interiors, a function is often placed above form and guests often overlook such benefits as efficient space usage, comfort, and convenience. Officina Italiana Design creates beautiful outdoor relaxation zones aboard luxury charter yacht SEVEN SINS, from the fresh and free-flowing sundeck to the beach club lit from above by the glass-bottomed swimming pool. A choice of bright lighting or lanterns adds to the ambiance of an alfresco meal under the stars while the layout ensures every space reaches its full potential without ever feeling overcrowded.

Seven Sins

Find out more about the charter availability of motor yacht SEVEN SINS.

Zuccon International Project

74m/242ft motor yacht CLOUD 9 from CRN provided Zuccon International Project with four outdoor decks to style, and the result contributed to Best Layout 164-270ft (50- 82m) at World Yachts Trophies 2017. The furnishings match the hull styling and surroundings seamlessly, integrating seating around the sundeck Jacuzzi and main deck aft pool to suit guests wanting comfort and uninterrupted views in the sunshine or shade.

CLOUD 9 – Beach club

See the exceptional interiors and exteriors aboard superyacht CLOUD 9.

RWD

Known previously as Redman Whiteley Dixon, the British design company has been involved with a number of this year’s most reported launches from European yacht builders Feadship and Benetti, such as M/Y WILLOW that attended the Monaco Yacht Show in September, plus HASNA, FAITH, and SAMAYA. Form and function blend perfectly to effectively use open space and the company ethos on creating original and individual recreational spaces makes this studio a popular choice for superyacht owners.

Willow – aerial

Expedition yacht SAMAYA – Exterior

Design Unlimited

From 2012 onward Design Unlimited has won a string of awards, placed in the finals and received a Judge’s Commendation for their refit work and interior design. Texture and art play an important role in forming personalized interiors, such as those within S/Y PINK GIN VI: Velvet sofas in rich purples contrast against golden and beige tones, and nature plays an important if subtle role such as with the resin tabletop preserving the pressed flowers within. The opulence and functionality of Design Unlimited creations ensure that many a private owner and charter guests will be captivated during their travels.

Luxury yacht PINK GIN VI – White sails

Take a look at the incredible recreational areas aboard sailing yacht PINK GIN VI.

Bannenberg & Rowell

Luxury yacht JOY was one of the feature launches of 2016, and her exterior styling from Bannenberg & Rowell ensures each open deck can be enjoyed as much as possible using canvas canopies, strong ceiling lighting and even a beach club where the door lifts up to become a shade. On this occasion, the company has worked on the interiors of M/Y BOOK ENDS from Heesen to produce a futuristic design that was inspired by the kinetic energy, as is visible in the ‘burst’ lines of the carpet, the lighting fixture over the formal dining table and the mirror.

Book Ends – Photo credit Heesen yachts

Running

See the stunning relaxation areas aboard luxury yacht JOY.

Espen Oeino

Espen Oeino is a highly regarded name within the luxury yacht industry and this year’s launches include superyacht LIQUID SKY (CMB Yachts) and PROJECT THUNDER (Lurssen). While little is still known about the latter superyacht, the former makes use of smooth reflective surfaces such as glass and metal to create an immaculate alfresco dining and sunbathing spaces that highlight features like the beautiful sundeck Jacuzzi with swim-up bar. Light plays an important role after sunset and strips of back-lighting illuminate artwork rarely incorporated into outdoor activity areas.