Visionary and innovative, Dasha Moranova Designs (DMD) is on a mission to transform superyacht interior design. With over two decades in high-end residential and yacht design, founder and creative director Dasha Moranova has led her award-winning Amsterdam-based studio to global recognition for fusing technical mastery, creative vision and a commitment to wellbeing.
Her superyacht journey began on the owner’s team of some of the world’s most iconic 100-metre-plus builds. Training in interior architecture and a master’s in product engineering then shaped what is now DMD: a multidisciplinary studio producing designs with artistry and precision. Today, the studio is growing rapidly, working alongside leading shipyards, naval architects and technology partners to deliver interiors that are both experiential and future-proof.
Design that’s felt before it’s built
At DMD, design is not just about aesthetics, but also human experience. The studio speaks every language a yacht project demands: creative, technical and human. Through collaborations with world-class shipyards and innovators, DMD delivers interiors that create immersive experiences.
Clients are invited into the process from the very beginning. Using advanced 3D visualisation and Virtual Reality walkthroughs, they can step inside their yacht before construction even begins. This immersive approach empowers bold, informed decision-making, ensuring every space resonates aesthetically and emotionally.
“The main focus in our designs is wellbeing. One of the most fascinating voices for me is Dr. Daniel Amen, a world-renowned psychiatrist and brain scan specialist. His work exploring how the brain responds to different environments deeply resonates with my own belief: that our surroundings have a profound impact on our wellbeing,” she says.
Moranova draws heavily from Japanese and Chinese cultural principles, where simplicity and respect for nature are central. “We’ve all entered places that make us feel inexplicably calm or inspired - that’s no accident. It's the result of intentional, thoughtful design that supports human emotion, energy and flow,” she explains.
AI-powered wellness spaces
Perhaps the most striking example of DMD’s approach is the 83-metre concept Senses, created in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects. This concept reimagines onboard comfort, transforming the traditional spa into a series of AI-powered wellness pods. “We like to compare it to a flower garden. We wanted to create a wellness space without losing its openness, so we designed wellness pods that you can move between,” she explains.
Each pod offers a different sensory experience - such as sound healing, saunas, cryotherapy and snow-fall hot tubs - with 360-degree AI-powered screens that transport guests to other worlds, whether clouds, forests or underwater. The concept also features the revolutionary Free From Bulkheads platform, which minimises structural constraints to create totally open, panoramic wellness spaces at the waterline. Invisible technologies, like the Sonance sound system from VBH, also add to the immersive experience. The concept is all about enabling the client to totally relax, recharge and rejuvenate. DMD and VBH are even collaborating on a live installation at the Monaco Yacht Show this year.
A cinematic wonderland on the water
The 98-metre Project Alice was truly a milestone for the studio in early 2021 - marking the moment DMD began collaborating with Lürssen shipyard on a visionary, climate-neutral and sustainable concept. "Alice was inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and our aim was to translate that sense of discovery and wonder into an interior that was both imaginative and highly responsible in its design approach. The unique exterior design was created by (in that time) in-house exterior designer Jim Sluijter," says Moranova.
DMD worked very closely on connecting exterior and interior in the most seamless way. "We worked exclusively with sustainable materials and finishes, and every technical decision - from energy efficiency to material sourcing - was made with environmental impact in mind," she explains. "The architecture embraced light, openness and connection to nature, creating spaces that feel uplifting and restorative. For me, Alice was about proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist beautifully."
“Everything is innovative and adaptable. In the bathroom, for example, the glass can be misted for a different surface. We also designed it as a circular centrepiece of the cabin that can be fully open or closed,” Moranova describes. Innovation is an important aspect of DMD’s designs, but in an unobtrusive way. “We treat technology like a silent partner - it enhances the experience without ever steal-ing focus. The goal is to create a space where the tech works in the background, quietly supporting comfort and efficiency," Moranova adds.
Alice features a fully open main deck infused with natural light, a forward-facing master suite with a circular bed, and beds in the guest cabins are designed with a floating effect. Sustainability also played a crucial role: the yacht would be built from more eco-friendly materials and fuels, and DMD collaborated with Nature Squared for custom furnishings using its sustainable finishes created from many recycled materials, such as eggshells.
Flexibility and personalisation
The 80-metre Oceanco Simply Custom concept Aurai demonstrates DMD’s expertise in flexible, semi-custom interiors. “Oceanco invited us to be one of the Simply Custom partners. We were tasked with designing the main saloon and beach club, ensuring a connection between the two. We collaborated closely with the exterior designer because we value a strong connection between the interior and exterior,” Moranova explains.
DMD created flexible interiors that balance structure with total personalisation. Three variations were designed on the same base, changing wall panels, finishes and colours to create completely different atmospheres. Aurai’s highlights include a glass staircase and lift, a citrus-tree oasis with ancient Greek-inspired cooling systems and a beach club with real-time projection walls and floors that transform into living art. Demonstrating DMD’s passion for personalised, human-centric design, this allows owners to tailor the yacht to their mood, lifestyle or seasonal preferences.
Looking ahead
In 2026, DMD will celebrate its fifth anniversary, with a portfolio that already includes collaborations with Lürssen, Oceanco, Lateral, Zeelander, Dutch Craft and Heirlooms. In partnership with VBH, Dasha Moranova Designs is also unveiling Immersia—a groundbreaking 360° multi-sensory concept that can transform any yacht space in seconds through high-definition visuals, immersive sound and sensory effects. Complementing this are Immersia Pods - dedicated cabins for relaxation and meditation that use curated imagery, sound and fragrance to “tune” the guest’s state of mind, whether towards calm, energy, focus, or deep rest. Together, these innovations bring digital wellbeing to the ocean, even allowing guests to track their relaxation levels so they leave refreshed, restored, and re-energised.
Current projects include two new builds in progress: a 65-metre support vessel with a European shipyard and a 47-metre yacht with Delta Marine in the USA. While details remain under wraps, each project promises to reflect Moranova’s philosophy: creating sanctuaries at sea through spaces where owners feel truly at home anywhere in the world.
Visit the Dasha Moranova Designs website to learn more about how the studio transforms superyachts into immersive wellness experiences.
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