For those seasoned individuals who have experience chartering yachts, visiting friends’ yachts, sailing the high seas, or maybe even purchasing their first pre-designed yacht, the next thrill might come from building their own vessel. Although designing your own superyacht is a truly personal experience, it also involves making an overwhelming amount of choices. This is why the first step to building a new superyacht should always be to choose a designer to work with.
Whether it’s considering how the internal spaces of your yacht will work, what furniture or materials are used, or even working out the external design for your new vessel, collaborating with a designer will make the process of creating your dream superyacht as stress-free and easy as possible. To help, Elite Traveler has created a list of yacht interior (and exterior, in some cases) designers that should be on your radar.
[See also: How to Design an Amazing Superyacht Interior]
Who are the best luxury yacht interior designers?
Winch Design
Our list of the best yacht interior designers kicks off with Winch Design. Originally founded as Andrew Winch Designs by Andrew Winch and his wife Jane in 1986, it was rebranded as Winch Designs in 2015. One of the UK’s leading superyacht and private jet design studios for over thirty years, it is now led by Jim Dixon. His team has created a multitude of extraordinary projects, all of which are highly bespoke and tailored to each client’s specific requests.
One of Winch Design’s most recent yacht projects is the 289ft Feadship, for which the studio has both interior and exterior design credits. The innovative spaces created by Dixon’s team blend indoor and outdoor by offering open spaces, neutral colors, and earthly textures and materials.
[See also: L’Escale: Inside Winch Design’s First Resort Project]
Related
Terence Disdale Design
Based in the UK, Terence Disdale Design is one of the yachting industry’s most respected design studios. The team works on both the interior and exterior design of some of the world’s most incredible yachts, with previous projects including M/Y Eclipse, one of the biggest superyachts in the world. The studio was founded by Terence Disdale, who – despite having no formal training – is one of the most sought-after designers in the industry.
Disdale set up his eponymous studio in 1972 after working for famous designer Jon Bannenberg (Bannenberg’s studio was also where fellow yacht design giants Andrew Winch and Tim Heywood learned their craft). Across his extraordinary 40-year career Disdale and his studio have designed over 100 yachts, including more than 50 superyachts. His wide-ranging design style often follows the mantra of ‘beach house, not penthouse’, with concepts often finding inspiration from the ocean.
Sorgiovanni Designs
Australian yacht designer Sam Sorgiovanni’s career began after he studied Industrial Design and found his first position working for shipbuilder Oceanfast. It was thanks to the experience he gained at this renowned shipbuilder that he decided to set up his own studio, launching Sorgiovanni Designs in 1997 in Fremantle, Western Australia. The studio also has an office in Monaco in order to provide its design services to European costumers.
Content from our partners
Previous yacht designs that Sorgiovanni has worked on include the 390 ft Amana in collaboration with Oceanco, the colossal White Rabbit and the exteriors of the 270 ft Secret. When he is not working on one of his award-winning projects, he is traveling the world to consult on yacht designs for clients, working with a variety of suppliers and shipbuilders.
[See also: How Much Does It Actually Cost to Charter a Yacht?]
Zaniz Studio
Next up on our list of the best yacht interior designers is Zaniz Studio. The company was founded in New York City by English-American designer Zaniz Jakubowski – who up until recently, had rarely been able to discuss her astounding portfolio of projects due to the NDAs that came with the commissions by exclusive clients – including Donald Trump. The studio has an international reputation for creating iconic and innovative projects, which always have strong attention to detail. As well as designing for both private and commercial yachts, Zaniz Studio works across other industries, including creating theatre sets and residential and commercial interiors.
One of Zaniz Studio’s flagship projects – and one it was able to share – was the 350 ft superyacht Luminosity, which went on the market in 2020 for over $266 million. The studio was responsible for both the interior and exterior of Luminosity, which was built by Italian shipyard Benetti. What is most interesting is that the team abandoned the typical format of designing the exterior first, followed by the interior; instead, the superyacht has been designed from the inside out, to avoid having to compromise on any ideas for the indoor spaces.
[See more: The 10 Biggest Superyachts in the World]
Nuvolari Lenard
Well known for its timeless design style, Nuvolari Lenard is one of the largest – and most active – luxury yacht design studios in the world, founded in 1990 by naval architect and mechanical engineer Carlo Nuvolari and stylist Dan Lenard. The studio is based in Italy’s island city, Venice, and draws heavy influence from its hometown for its classic yacht designs, combining strong architectural lines with a deep passion and understanding of the sea.
Not only is Nuvolari Lenard based in Venice, but it also has a renowned Design Center on the outskirts of the city that hosts architects and designers working on a range of tasks. Inside the Design Center is a scale yacht model workshop that gives designers the opportunity to visualize their concepts and research shapes before confirming a final design. The interior design section of the studio’s Design Center also features a showroom where clients and designers can discuss fabrics and materials.
[See also: Nuvolari Lenard Reveals Latest Yacht Concept Design]
Patrick Knowles Designs
With decades of experience in the marine industry under his belt, Patrick Knowles is one of America’s top yacht designers. His studio, Patrick Knowles Designs, specializes in custom megayacht and superyacht interiors, as well as designing for private aircraft. The team at Patrick Knowles Design prides themselves on their creativity and a strong commitment to making sure projects are finished on time, while also exceeding expectations.
One of Patrick Knowles Designs’ award-winning projects was a Key West-inspired 206 ft ISA displacement superyacht. The owners requested an interior that felt like a five-star tropical resort; through a design that incorporated vibrant murals of plants and aquatic life, lush fabrics and furnishings, and the use of environmentally friendly, natural materials including bamboo, palm wood and coconut shells, Patrick Knowles delivered. The onboard showcase piece is a 30-foot-tall light fixture constructed from Murano glass that sits within the spiral staircase, joining all three levels.
Tillberg Design of Sweden
Our list of the most exclusive yacht interior designers would not be complete without mentioning Tillberg Design of Sweden. Founded in 1964 in Höganäs, the practice has been designing timeless Scandinavian-inspired interiors on board some of the world’s most luxurious vessels for over five decades.
Known for its meticulous craftsmanship, use of quality materials and expert lighting, when it comes to creating beautiful spaces you’re in safe hands with Tillberg Design of Sweden. Perhaps most impressive is the studio’s recent project designing the interiors onboard the gigantic 728-foot superyacht Somnio.
The recently released renderings reveal stunning dream-like rooms expertly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. Future owners that are lucky enough to live on the world’s first residential yacht liner will be given the opportunity to work with the prestigious design firm over three months to create their dream apartment.
[See also: The Ultimate Guide to Hydrogen-powered Yachts]
