Studio Conran’s luxury yacht interior launches

Studio Conran has designed the interiors for a new range of Sealine luxury yachts.

Speaking from the launch site of the Aura T60, on the Thames by Tower Bridge, consultancy founder Sebastian Conran says his studio has been working on the project ‘for about a year’.

He says, ‘It doesn’t feel like a designer yacht. We explored how people use boats, looked at the conventions of what interiors were like and made some changes, including moving the galley to the opposite side from where it usually is.’

Conran adds that the Sealine and Studio Conran teams took an integrated approach and that his team was given an empty hull to work with.

Responding to a brief to address ‘style, practicality and comfort’, Studio Conran has combined storage solutions and technology in a design featuring natural oaks and light finishes.

‘Everything’s had to be made very rigid,’ says Conran. ‘You don’t want windows popping out when you’re whizzing about. You need to design so that things can be shaken about – a bit like on an aircraft.’

The design attempts to redress the tradition of cabin design having a male aesthetic. ‘There’s no reason why a boat should be a male territory,’ Conran explains. ‘Our master cabins have a softer feel. Boats are so often over-polished or heavy, so we’ve gone for a light and airy feel with matt blond oaks.’

Conran stresses that there’s a renewed international appeal for British-designed boats. He says, ‘England has a sea-faring tradition, from Francis Drake through to contemporary design culture, and now the exchange rate is so competitive, “Made in Britain” is compelling again.’