The third hull in Heesen’s 55 metre Steel superyacht class Project Gemini marks the first collaboration between the Dutch yard and Italian designer Luca Dini. In this Q&A, Dini opens up about the interior design of Project Gemini.
Q: How did the project come about?
As is often the case, everything began by chatting with the managers of the shipyard’s commercial team, with whom I’ve already worked with in the past on other projects. Everything happened naturally and there was no fixed plan – which in most cases is a winning strategy.
Q: What was the interior design brief?
It’s the first time that our studio has worked on a speculative yacht build, so it was an unusual brief for us and one that we had never been involved in before. For this reason, it was also really enjoyable and stimulating.
Q: How did you approach the brief?
Being a speculative yacht build, the interiors obviously needed to be created in a way that would please potential clients. So we agreed to create a luxurious but not flashy interior, that was both elegant and modern. An interior that at first glance gives you the impression of being on board a boat.
Q: What materials and colours are found throughout the interior?
The materials used on board are wood, leather, marble, fabrics and above all glass and mirrors in various forms. The light Tay wood creates tones of toasted almond, in full gloss, and is enclosed in an ordered grid of lines in a deep, dark oak wood, that’s lighter and more textured. Some of the wooden panels are enriched by patterns that make the surfaces more vibrant.
Leathers, from top Italian producers create natural and inviting tones which warm up the spaces. The use of marble give the bathrooms a luxurious touch through the astonishing beauty that only natural stone can create.
The best part of using glass and mirrors is their capacity to amplify, reflect, confuse or clarify, add complexity and therefore make a space more interesting. We find glass that’s retro-lacquered, in natural amber, smoked, mirrored, etched and decorated, it’s the main protagonist for the many different personalities. The range of colours go from milk, to dark chocolate and cappuccino, passing from toasted almond, to brown leather, from sienna to burnt umber.
Q: What is the atmosphere inside the interior?
The atmosphere is refined and elegant, in a way it floats through time and styles, ready to adopt the character and impression of the future owner. The general harmony of tones, both soft, neutral and natural combine with the contrasting hints of dark and pronounced metal. The concept of an interesting, sincere and reassuring complexity is revisited here.
Q: What are some of the standout interior features?
The recognisable strengths are definitely linked to the design and details which we were able to drive forward thanks to the great skill and expertise of the shipyard. The strips that outline the panels on all surfaces horizontally and vertically in every room guides one’s gaze through the spaces. They meet at the custom-made metal handles that make the doors and furnishings completely unique, and the large mirrored surfaces. The materials are mostly Italian, which becomes immediately apparent through the excellent craftsmanship.
Q: Where is your favourite place on board?
My favourite place is the owner’s cabin which is bathed in light and looks out over the water. It’s a spacious suite with lots of alluring “corners”. The bathroom evokes styles of iconic architecture, as well as natural processes such as water eroding stone. In general, I think it nicely sums up the strengths of the whole interior design.