Shaking up the traditional superyacht layout was the interior design gauntlet thrown down to Radyca when the studio was tasked with penning the interior of the 35.5 metre Benetti Botti. The owners specifically sought out the Miami-based firm to realise their vision for the third hull in the yard’s Mediterraneo 116 series, which centred around eradicating the formality of the superyachting lifestyle.
A large family with four grown children and babies of their own, Botti’s owners wanted to use the yacht exclusively for leisure and family time. There would be no formal drinks parties, no stiff boardroom meetings. Formal dining areas and offices were of no interest. Instead, the owners wanted a number of spacious lounge areas where the family could relax together with the option of being apart.
Lead designer Ramon Alonso explained: “We wanted to create a very relaxing and warm environment by reconsidering the traditional layout and staying away from formalities.” As a result, Radyca shook up the traditional interior superyacht configuration. The entire lower deck was transformed into an entertainment space comprising a lounge area, cinema and sitting room.
The sole dining area, meanwhile, was relocated to the upper deck where it is semi-covered from the elements. The accommodation quarters, which traditionally sit on the lower deck, were grouped together on the main deck. Alonso complimented the owners for being bold enough to mix up the traditional layout. “It’s a different way to use a boat and it creates a very interesting flow that is different from boats of this size,” he said.
Rethinking the traditional interior layout was the most challenging aspect of the design brief, Alonso admitted, but luckily he was already well attuned to the owners’ tastes. Radyca had previously designed the interior of another of the family’s yachts, a Monte Carlo 105, in collaboration with Nuvolari Lenard. Radyca also worked on a number of the same owner's residential projects, from offices to airplanes. “We have a good idea of what the client likes,” Alonso explained. “Every single project of theirs has a particular ambiance.”
To achieve this ambiance, Alonso mingled a selection of soft lighting, fine fabrics and warm coloured woodwork. Fewer materials were chosen and used instead in a number of different ways. “We wanted to keep the boat very clean in terms of furnishings,” Alonso explained. A notable example is the contrasting woods used throughout the interior. Alonso's decision to “apply them in different ways” created “different tones and textures throughout the boat,” he said.
Contrasting black and white marble was used in the same vein to “make areas feel more spacious”, while a drinks bar made of resin created a unique sculpture that “welcomes guests on board.” As well as marble and woodwork, Alonso employed prevalent use of leather, which was crucial in achieving the high end finish he was after. “The use of leather is very important because it provides a sense of luxury with just the smell – it engages the senses,” Alonso said. The remaining materials centre around “earthy, neutral tones” with a few “touches of greens and blues to keep it informal.” These subtle tones do well to accentuate the owners’ bold artwork choices, which include an original Warhol. “They have a particular taste when it comes to art,” Alonso said. “They like a lot of pop art.”
Alonso's favourite space on board, for versatility alone, is the bow area. Here the owners can enjoy “relaxing, entertaining, sunbathing and having informal bites.” Equipped with a Jacuzzi, it is as appropriate for family gatherings as it is for escaping the hustle and bustle of the marina. “When you’re docked, it’s a great private place and is generally one of the best places on board,” Alonso said.
His favourite thing about the boat, however, are the owners themselves. “They are an amazing family and fun to work with. I have been working for this family since I was very young and they’ve always given me the opportunity to participate in many different projects.”