In this instalment of BOAT's designer Q&A series, we profile British designer Mark Berryman on his love of Japanese garden design and the consuming task of designing the 136-metre Flying Fox.
Your big break?
Being asked by Lürssen to design Arkley (now Caipirinha). The client had moved onto a larger boat and Lürssen wanted to continue it as a spec boat. After the first month it was sold to another client and we continued with the interior.
Source of inspiration?
All things Asian, especially Japanese. There is a great sense of calm in Japan and both interior and garden spaces put you in an incredibly relaxed state.
First boat you designed?
Loon, during my first year in yacht design with Don Starkey. She was built by Christensen and is 47.2-metres, which seemed very big at the time!
Favourite yacht design? (Not yours!)
Pelorus. We have recently completed some more refit work on her, but the original design, both interior and exterior, is fantastic. I was scared to touch the interior as I loved the original so much.
Most admired yacht designer?
Terry Disdale. We have a lot of things in common from a use of material point of view, but Terry tends to have more of a beach club feel whereas our style touches a little more on the contemporary.
Favourite furniture designer?
Hans Wegner. I love Danish furniture design because of the natural woods used. I especially love his Wishbone chair which has clean lines and hints of Chinese Horseshoe chairs.
Favourite building?
The Barcelona Pavillion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. I love Bauhaus furniture and the feeling of uncluttered space inside the interior and large windows is fantastic.
Toughest project?
One of our latest projects Flying Fox. At 136-metres in length it is our largest project to date. It’s amazing how a project of this size takes over your life. It was incredibly tough in so many different ways, from regulations to client wishes, but we walked away with a whole host of knowledge that is invaluable.
Favourite non-yacht design?
The Imperial Palace gardens in the heart of Tokyo. You can lose yourself in here and have no idea about the hustle and bustle beyond the garden walls.
Ultimate design fantasy?
To have a client who is open enough to trust us to integrate planting and moving water into an interior. We love large planting and feel it really adds a sense of life and softness to an interior space. To pair that with the relaxing feel of moving water would be great. It really stems back to my love of Japanese garden design.
If you weren’t a yacht designer?
A Japanese garden designer. But maybe concentrating on the little Kyoto courtyard gardens “Tsuboniwa”. It is amazing how these simple courtyard gardens help control the climate within the houses.