2014 ShowBoats Design Awards superyacht interior design winners

24 February 2014 • Written by Risa Merl

The ShowBoats Design Awards recognise the talent of the designers and teams behind superyachts delivered in the previous year. Here we present the ShowBoats Design Awards winners for interior design of new motor yachts and sailing yachts launched in 2013.

Interior Design Award – Displacement Motor Yachts 60m+ – sponsored by Swarovski

Laura Sessa for 80m CRN Chopi Chopi

Superyacht Chopi Chopi‘'s inviting main saloon – interior design is by Laura Sessa

Noting that the designer had a lot of real estate to play with, the judges appreciated her inclusion of certain areas of bright colour, such as the guest suites and the American Bar, to add ‘fun’ to the décor along with the high-energy art selected by the owners. They felt it matched the definition of the year’s best example of interior design meeting the owner’s brief with visual appeal, practicality at sea, use of space and innovative features. Some areas, they noted, were obviously designed to impress but remained tastefully shy of going ‘over-the-top.’ Overall, they found the design scheme relaxing and the layout useful. They gave high marks to the yacht’s beach club and opening doors and terraces.

CRN’s new flagship Chopi Chopi running alongside her tenders and toys

Designer’s Statement:

This project was developed around a particular family, respecting the taste of each family member but at the same time giving the boat a sense of unity. Each area represents an individual’s choice of colours and textures of woods and fabrics. I believe that I have transformed their wishes into an object that will remain fresh whatever the fashion trends.

Chopi Chopi – CRN’s 80m flagship balances formidable size with custom luxury living

Interior Design Award – Displacement Motor Yachts 30 to 59.9m

Cristiano Gatto Design Team for 50m Cosmo Explorer I-Nova

Superyacht I-Nova’s main saloon | Photo by A&B-Photodesign

The judges were intrigued by the request to present a modern take on an exploration yacht for a new yard’s first project. Rather than play it safe, Cristiano Gatto took a nonconformist approach. The judges applauded his great use of diverse materials from 30,000-year-old kauri wood to woven bamboo panels, plus glass, metal and leather in terms of contrasting both their textures and their far-flung origins. In respect of the long passages and remote destinations the yacht is destined for, the interior is comfortable, calm and relaxing but with a fair amount of intrigue and visual stimulation brought forth in overheads and lighting. They also lauded the duplex master suite with its private lounge on the deck above the stateroom.

Superyacht I-Nova, modern explorer yacht, underway | Photo by A&B-Photodesign

Designer’s Statement:

Among the most intriguing aspects of I-Nova’s interior design is the distinctiveness of each and every detail and the characteristic flavors achieved using precious materials and traditional handicraft production. We blended different materials using both cutting-edge and traditional techniques to compose a cohesive, refreshing interior decoration.

Interior Design Award – Semi-displacement Motor Yachts – sponsored by Boutsen Design

Hot Lab Yacht & Design for Columbus Sport Hybrid 40M

The Columbus 40S Hybrid’s skylounge was purposely kept small to put the focus on outdoor living

The judges expressed a strong preference for clean, functional lines among the entries in this category in keeping with the type of the yachts themselves. Although the Columbus Sport Hybrid 40m was one of the smaller candidates, the repetition of strong horizontal lines on floors, walls and overheads created the illusion of greater interior length. The simplicity of the colour scheme and details such as window treatments and furniture shapes seemed perfectly in keeping with the brief for a sport yacht that must balance appeal and innovation with function and practicality at sea.

A running shot aerial photo of Palumbo’s new Columbus 40S Hybrid superyacht

Designer’s Statement:

The general style was to be fresh, elegant, even simple at a first glance, but sophisticated when looked at in depth, especially with regard to the homogeneous colours. Our aim was to obtain a warm and relaxing feeling by highlighting the natural texture of every material.

Columbus 40S Hybrid – Palumbo’s 40m superyacht brings hybrid power mainstream

Interior Design Award – Sailing Yachts – sponsored by Greenline Yacht Interiors

Adam Lay Studio for 32.64m Baltic Yachts Inukshuk

Adam Lay conceived the boulder-like coffee table/foot rests found in the main saloon of sailing yacht Inukshuk

Sometimes the results of the first round judging are so close that several successive votes are needed. In this category, Inukshuk was deemed an immediate runaway on visual appeal, functionality, use of space and innovative features. The passion of the method by which Adam Lay’s cerebral design approach met the owner’s brief — with nature not with glamour — was key to the win. In the language of The First People of North America, an Inukshuk is a stone marker left to point the way in a barren landscape. By investigating the rocks, trees and even the shrub colors of the owner’s favorite place, he designed a highly personal and harmonious interior with unique finishes and furniture and numerous custom details that put builder Baltic Yachts to a supreme test. To incorporate granite and limestone in a performance yacht takes considerable skill and technology.

Superyacht Inukshuk sailing

Designer’s Statement:

Neither the broker nor the client had met me before this project, so there was a huge leap of faith on all sides. The brief emerged with a clear direction to emulate a specific North American lake region. We were determined that the connection to the owner’s favourite place would be more than just ethereal, it would be physical.

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