One of the benefits of purchasing a yacht built on speculation is the significantly reduced wait time; clients can bypass the typical two- or three-year delivery period, says Italian designer Silvia Margutti of Luca Dini Design & Architecture. One of her latest designs is Heesen’s Project Agnetha, a fast displacement hull joining the shipyard’s popular 55-metre Steel series. Having now entered the final stages of construction, her launch is well on track for March 2025.
“The challenge of designing a yacht built on speculation is to create something special, but also widely liked,” Margutti shares. “When I initially started working with Heesen, I was used to working on projects that already had an owner. In these cases, we have a very specific brief, and you can meet the client and understand their needs and their lifestyle on board – and this guides you. However, speculation projects often produce an even more interesting design because it pushes your skills and imagination.”
This is why joining the build project at the earliest possible moment allows the client to have more customisation and really put their own stamp on it. But Margutti explains that it’s not the end of the world if you join at the last minute. "Even if the client joins the project at a later stage, we work closely with them to infuse their personal touch into the styling and bring their vision to life," she says. "This could be done through art, vases, floral displays, colours or decoration, for example."
Margutti also worked on some of the other yachts in the series, the first being Reliance, delivered in 2023, as well as Iris Blue, delivered in 2024. “I like this series because it features good voluminous spaces that are so easy to live in,” she explains, “I also received feedback from crew who said that this layout is very easy to manage with good storage spaces. There is also separate crew access to all the key social areas on board, including up the sundeck, ensuring optimal discreet service." While the layout has always remained much the same due to its popularity, the designer’s challenge is to give each yacht a distinctive personality in its interior designs.
When it comes to Project Agnetha, Margutti says she “feels like home”: “The materials on board are in colours, tones and textures that I think are generally quite likable. There is almond-toned oak, walnut and a touch of precious Carvalho veneer on the walls, and amber mirrors and texturised glass used throughout, which creates a warm, light atmosphere; a modern ambiance with a light champagne touch."
Margutti explains that textures can really change the atmosphere of a space, so with the aim of Project Agnetha being to create a cosy ambiance, this is achieved through textures that are not too glossy or tough. “Soft colours” have been used for the carpets and the entire design features long-lasting fabrics from reputable brands such as Jim Thompson. “The design incorporates simple colours that are easy to match and add eye-catching decoration to,” she notes. “The result is something luxury; something that is not too extreme but makes you feel like you want to stay. It's also not too fashionable, which means the design will stand the test of time.
"It is a timeless, solid, high-quality and liveable interior," she continues. "There is harmony, a lovely blend of neutral tones and textures, and an effortless elegance. It gives the feeling of having a cashmere throw that you can never live without."
The yachting industry is all too familiar with the trend of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, and Margutti incorporates this feeling on board Project Agnetha. “For some time, we have been obliged to stay inside and be confined,” she muses. “So I think humans have been looking for more of a connection with nature. As designers, we try to achieve this with not only the style and furniture but also the fabrics' colours. On Project Agnetha, we have made this connection particularly in the skylounge, owner's cabin and beach club, where external doors frame picturesque views. These doors also provide natural air exchange when open - an increasingly popular request among clients in recent projects.
Multipurpose areas are also a key part of the design to ensure optimal functionality. “Where there is a bar, there is also a TV so the room could be transformed into a cosy movie night area,” she says. “It could be an area for relaxing with a light lunch, or somewhere to work, etcetera.” But Margutti’s all-time favourite area on board Project Agnetha is the huge sundeck, complete with a bar adjacent to the large Jacuzzi. “As soon as you step onto this deck, it feels like a space where you want to spend the whole day,” she adds. “Guests can enjoy sun, shade, dips in the water, food and drinks. What more could you want?”
To find out more about Heesen’s soon-to-be-launched Project Agnetha, contact the shipyard today.
READ MORE FROM HEESEN