Interior Yacht Design: the latest frontiers

The time-honoured traditional layouts on board superyachts are giving way in recent years to novel living solutions that combine sailing with the comforts of everyday life. 

Interior yacht design in the last few decades has seen a profound change that has resulted in the cancellation of boundaries. More and more, in fact, interior design incorporates the boat’s outdoor spaces, in a continuous dialogue and exchange of roles between interior and exterior. 

Thus, interior yacht design is assuming increasing importance, being able to take advantage of ever larger volumes than yachts launched a few years ago, with the same overall length. The layouts of the various superyachts are undergoing considerable evolution and, depending on the various yards and designers, the innovations may concern the bow or stern area as well as the location of certain rooms within the superyachts. 

In order to codify the new living solutions, we analyse five recent monohull superyachts in the 25-35 m range that show original solutions in their layouts, comparing the different layouts:

• Arcadia A96; 
• Benetti Oasis 34M Opus; 
• Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90; 
• Riva 82’ Diva;
• Sanlorenzo SP110.

Characteristics, yards and designers of the superyachts analysed

1. Arcadia A96 is a 29.07 m long yacht: built by the Arcadia Yachts shipyard, it has four guest cabins plus the master cabin. The interior has been designed by Igor Lobanov and among the yacht’s many special features is the design of the stern: an open-air lounge in perfect continuity with the interior. 

2. Also notable for the design of the stern is the Benetti Oasis 34M yacht which, as its name evokes, recreates a private oasis in the sea. Oasis 34M was built by the Benetti shipyards; the exteriors were designed by the British studio RWD while the interiors bear the signature of the New York studio Bonetti & Kozerski. 

3. Remaining in the outdoor spaces, but moving to the bow, a substantial novelty has been introduced to the market by INFYNITO 90 from the Ferretti Yachts shipyard. With an overall length of 26.97 m, Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 is the result of collaboration between the Strategic Product Committee, chaired by Engineer Piero Ferrari, and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department. The exterior design was by architect Filippo Salvetti, while the interior design by the IdeaeItalia design studio.

4. Interesting layout solutions have been adopted on the Riva 82′ Diva, a 25.29 m flybridge that bears the signature of Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, in collaboration with the Strategic Product Committee chaired by Ing. Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Management.

5. Sanlorenzo SP110 is a 33.04 m yacht: the first open coupé in the shipyard’s history, it features unprecedented interiors articulated on two levels that are not separated from each other. The exteriors of SP110 were designed by Zuccon International Project while the interiors by Piero Lissoni.

Stern cockpit and beach area

In recent years we have witnessed a continuous evolution of the yachts’ outdoor environments, especially in the stern area. Conceived closed in the past, as if to protect guests from navigation and the possible dangers associated with it, the function of the stern area has been completely renewed, with the aim of placing the user in close contact with the sea and the surrounding nature. From the traditional cockpit of a few square metres with a structural sofa and some seating, the aft area has gained more and more physical space and importance over time, becoming one of the strong points of recent projects. Dividing the layouts by decks or macro-areas, we analyse below how the different environments have been interpreted on board these five yachts.

1. Benetti Oasis 34M Opus presents in this area ‘the Oasis Deck®’, as defined by the shipyard. Functional invention is combined with aesthetics: the two wings that can be opened on either side of the beach area multiply the dimension towards the sea; the infinity pool with its integrated transparent glass window, the sunbathing and lounge area allow you to live life en plein air to the full with an excellent view. 

2. On the Arcadia A96, the large folding terraces amplify the space at beach level; three steps, positioned both to starboard and port ship, allow access to the immense cockpit with sofas positioned on all sides of the boat, creating a truly convivial outdoor lounge. 

3. The SP110‘s cockpit is made up of a single large central modular sofa, offering different configurations and the consequent possibility of enjoying the wake of the boat or, instead, conversing with the interior. The side passages thus remain free, facilitating the flow of guests on board.

4. The aft cockpit of Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 has an impressive 34 sq.m. of floor space and is a versatile space that can be furnished with free-standing furniture or with a large panoramic sundeck combined with the formal dining area. In the first unit offered by the yard, the sofa is positioned to allow guests to look towards the stern, freeing the view of the sea from possible obstructions.

5. The large aft beach club of the Riva 82′ Diva is characterised by two large folding walls that become two side terraces and further increase the width of the area by over 3 m. A large sundeck is positioned in the centre of the beach club; the cockpit, raised and furnished with opposing sea view sofas, has a total of almost 35 sq.m of living area.

Main deck

Traditionally characterised by well-defined spaces to which specific functions corresponded, the main deck has undergone profound changes over the years, becoming a fluid environment in close contact with the outside world. This is clearly evident in all five yachts analysed. 

1. The interior spaces of the main deck of the Oasis 34M Opus are in perfect continuity with the exterior: the sofas of the living area ideally continue the sequence of outdoor seating, anticipating the dining area. At the centre of the boat, the space is divided on two sides: to the port side of the boat is the galley, intended as a closed environment and separated from the dining area to which it is easily connected to facilitate the crew’s routes; to starboard, the wide passageway makes it possible to reach the stairs, which connect the various decks, or the private area of the master cabin. Anticipated by the corridor and walk-in wardrobe, the owner’s suite has the bed located in the central area looking aft, which allows the passageway just inside to be as free as possible. The owner’s bathroom is located at the extreme bow.

2. The living and dining areas are presented in opposite ways on the Arcadia A96: just inside the main deck is the dining table and then the living area. Large sliding doors allow a direct connection with the side terraces positioned amidships, allowing the spaces to be one with the surrounding panorama. The cabin and master bathroom have been placed in the bow. Between these spaces and the living area is the enclosed galley and stairwell. 

3. A different interpretation of the galley is presented on board the Riva 82′ Diva: located at the extreme bow of the main deck, it communicates with the helm station and with the port external walkway leading to the forward lounge area. The galley can be closed off or, less formally, facing the dining area to create a continuum between the spaces. The dining area of the Riva 82′ Diva is raised above the living area, at cockpit level: the spaces are therefore optically separated without being divided.

4. Thanks to the presence of large open spaces, the main deck of the Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 is one of the places where the continuity between exterior and interior spaces is most evident and where you can let your view run from stern to bow. The owner can choose from three possible configurations. The first unit has been fitted out with a total open space, organised in an informal living area towards the stern with two opposing sofas, a country kitchen amidships that overlooks both the living area and the dining area towards the bow, furnished with a large table with eight seats. The second configuration features a more formal deck version with an enclosed galley, privately accessed by the crew from the port walkway. It is also possible to choose a layout inspired by larger yachts, with the master cabin positioned at the extreme bow of the main deck, full beam, en suite bathroom and walk-in-closet.

5. Sanlorenzo SP110 features a completely new layout of this area of the boat. Through the stern stairs, the living area of the main deck is, in fact, connected to that of the lower deck, generating an open space in synergy with the exterior. This is a vertical loft that, from a functional point of view, favours and simplifies conviviality. Laminated glass has been used for the large window surfaces to contain weight and optimise consumption and performance. The search for new living solutions, new relationships between transparent and blind surfaces and original proportions in the interpretation of a houseboat are among the motivations that allowed the SP110 yacht to win the Compasso d’Oro award.

Bow cockpit

The forward cockpit is one of the ideal areas in which to enjoy sailing while the boat is on the move or where to relax when the yacht is moored in the harbour, while also being able to enjoy more privacy than the outdoor aft area. The design solutions adopted for the forward cockpit therefore provide a layout that combines comfort and relaxation. Sunbeds (as on the Sanlorenzo SP110), sometimes in combination with sofas in continuity with each other (as on the Riva 82′ Diva) are among the solutions most widely adopted today to best fulfil the function of outdoor living. 

A brand new bow area has been presented by Ferretti on board the INFYNITO 90: defined by the shipyard as the ‘All-Season Terrace’, it is a true terrace, covered by an extension of the superstructure. The outdoor bow area can thus be used in all weather conditions and all year round, in total privacy. The All-Season Terrace is fully customisable; the first unit of this new model features a Jacuzzi, on the diametrical plane, and comfortable seating. The central part of the roof can be opened up thanks to the adjustable glass slats, providing a beautiful light and shadow effect. In all the solutions offered by the boatyard, a large sun deck is positioned at the extreme bow. The various deck configurations can be interconnected with the adjoining interior area through a concealed electric window.

Lower deck

The main function performed by the lower deck is to accommodate the sleeping area with the various guest cabins and, sometimes, the owner’s suite. The layout generally includes the crew quarters positioned in the forwardmost part of the boat.

1. On the lower deck of the Benetti Oasis 34M there are two VIP cabins and two guest cabins with separate beds on the mizzen and with a symmetrical layout; a similar layout is also found on the Arcadia A96. 

2. Riva 82′ Diva features four cabins on the lower deck (three guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms and the full-beam master cabin located aft) that can accommodate up to eight guests. In the centre of the yacht is the crew quarters, with two separate cabins for a total of three berths, accessible from a dedicated pathway on the side of the superstructure that guarantees total privacy for the owner and guests.

3. The lower deck of Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 can accommodate up to four double cabins (owner’s, VIP and two twins), all with en-suite bathrooms, for a total of eight berths, which become ten if the main deck is configured with the master cabin forward. The guest cabin on the starboard side of the ship can be set up as a double cabin with en-suite bathroom, as on the first unit, or as a ‘multipurpose room’.

4. In addition to the guest cabins and master suite, the aft part of the lower deck of the Sanlorenzo SP110 accommodates the saloon in close connection with the main deck, reinforcing the idea of verticality rather than the usual horizontal distribution of the decks.

Upper decks

The upper decks of superyachts are those focused on open air living; the number and size vary according to the type and length of the superyacht.

1. Benetti Oasis 34M features on the upper deck (in addition to the helm station, the captain’s cabin and the service area) the sky lounge which, being full-beam, exploits the entire space and opens out towards the stern where there is a second dining area, but outdoors. On the highest of the decks, the sun deck, is another convivial area on the Benetti Oasis 34M: in the shade of the hard top is a custom-made table that can seat from eight to twelve. Behind it is a relaxation area with chairs and armchairs, while a bar counter and galley and barbecue area are located forward and along the port side. 

2. The interior spaces of the Arcadia A96‘s upper deck feature the wheelhouse and lounge area in continuity with the outdoor part aft. Forward, free-standing sofas and seating complete the layout.

3. On the flybridge of the Riva 82′ Diva the spaces are divided in a functional manner: at the centre is the lounge, with dinette and bar, and protected by a carbon hardtop with glass inserts, at the bow is the sunbathing area, and at the stern the living area.

4. The upper deck of the Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 has a skylounge completely surrounded by windows, which looks directly onto the cockpit of the upper deck. The area furthest forward houses the helm station which, in the first unit, is configured in a closed version over the convivial area amidships, where there is a lounge with TV. An open version of the wheelhouse is also available. In both cases, the skylounge can be furnished with a dining area with eight seats. The upper deck cockpit can be configured with free-standing furniture to set up a sunbathing and al-fresco dining area. 

5. At the stern of the Sanlorenzo SP110‘s highest deck there is a sunbathing area from where it is also possible to observe the monocrystalline solar panels which, integrated into the superstructure, give the yacht a strong personality.