Techniques and methods for project development and control: Floris+DESIGN tells us which steps one must follow to design yacht interiors, leveraging new technologies to serve the cause of creativity in yacht interior design.
Designing the interiors of a yacht necessitates an overall comprehension of not only aesthetics and comfort, but also the technical and functional demands inherent in a maritime environment. Utilization of sustainable yacht materials, including certified woods, recycled fabrics, and low environmental impact finishes, is imperative.
The interior features must effectively interface with the exterior, considering the correlation among furnishings, windows, and hull, while harmoniously integrating smart yacht automation systems for air conditioning, lighting, and home automation.
MATERIALS
Following this, the focus shifts to material research. Recent decades have seen a concentrated effort to develop eco-friendly yacht furniture that aligns with a sustainable and circular supply chain. For example, in crafting our custom lacquered furniture, we prioritize using water-based paints.
These paints, unlike traditional options, promote a reduced environmental impact while ensuring optimal performance, quality, and surface durability.
Furniture treated with eco-friendly paints produces fewer solvent emissions during application and drying, thereby minimizing the release of harmful substances over its lifespan. Selecting high-quality woods and raw materials with lacquering-suitable surfaces remains crucial for optimal performance:
- A sustainable approach to enhancing the beauty of fine wood is through oil painting, acting as a waterproof primer for unlacquered wood without altering its natural color.
- Similar outcomes can be achieved through waxing, a process that both protects and enhances the wood’s beauty, whether with wax alone or in combination with oils, resulting in a patina that exceeds the waterproofing capabilities of oil.
Additionally, there is a focus on incorporating eco-sustainable fabrics with minimal environmental impacts, such as organic cotton and wool, and recycled fibers like recycled polyester. These fabrics are produced using low-impact methods, including renewable energy use and water recycling.
HARDWARE COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
The final stage entails meticulously selecting hardware components and accessories, particularly in modern marine interior design solutions. The integration of advanced home automation systems allows comprehensive environmental control, including climate regulation and lighting, with simple touchscreen operation.
Notably, in the marine industry, careful consideration is given to choosing elements that are durable and friendly to the marine environment.
LAYOUT AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
During the design development phase, a singular path forward has been identified, yet the finer details remain to be determined. This phase is dedicated to refining solutions and gathering pertinent information specific to the design. Dimensions remain flexible as the designer reviews and recommends exact items to the client.
The process commences with a comprehensive analysis of the layout based on the customer’s requirements, culminating in the optimal spatial and ergonomic solution. Subsequently, extensive coordination between the structural components of the hull and superstructure is imperative. The fundamental aspects encompass the analysis of hydraulic and electrical systems, as well as the coordination of the ventilation system (FCU and AC room).
The integration of these elements leads to the delineation of the net box, which denotes the allocated space for custom yacht furnishings after considering structural elements, within which the furniture design can be developed. Coordination between various disciplines should be well underway during the design development phase.
FURNISHINGS, CLADDINGS, AND CEILINGS
Once the net box of each environment has been defined, the design of furnishings, claddings, and ceilings can commence, based on the overarching style and considering the interconnectedness of all elements in compliance with nautical regulations.
This phase is executed through sketches, sections, preliminary drawings, and the creation of a 3D yacht modeling approach suitable for generating photorealistic images. To actualize a realistic and effective interior, an in-depth project is necessary, extending to the detailed modeling of the environments, integrated with BIM models developed by manufacturers of free-standing furniture or accessories such as hardware, electrical equipment, hi-fi, or other components.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING
This must also be combined with a detailed study of yacht lighting design, the coolness of the light sources, and their positioning. Lighting and cameras are pivotal elements in any interior design project. Defining camera shots to effectively capture and present environments and intricate details, and employing techniques for simulating realistic surfaces, are essential components of the process.
Lighting can evoke emotions and alter our perception of space, thus affecting the overall atmosphere. Its impact on any given environment is immediately evident upon entering a room. Whether it’s the warm glow of a well-lit space or the harsh glare of fluorescent lights, lighting deeply influences our perception and mood.
DEFINITION OF A MOCK-UP
All the elements listed above collectively enable a precise visualization of the final result. After the development of interior renderings and client approval, it is highly beneficial to proceed with the definition and production of a mock-up.
The mock-up typically entails the production of components taken from different areas of the yacht, allowing the client to comprehensively comprehend every detail and the outcome of the entire project.
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
The culmination of the design process involves creating architectural and construction drawings. An architectural drawing is more than a visual representation; it embodies a precise and standardized language for comprehensively graphically portraying an interior design project.
A ‘POINT CLOUD’
Before initiating the design and planning of compartments, coverings, and furniture, the studio receives the ‘point cloud’: a vital asset for design precision and minimizing production and assembly errors. This includes a laser scan of existing structures and systems on-site, providing accurate points that delineate surfaces with exceptional precision.
Typically, the complex boat system is divided into decks, decks into cabins, cabins into furniture, and furniture into individual components. Establishing cross-references enables the team to work simultaneously in a unified environment, facilitating real-time sharing of modifications and improvements. The adopted design system serves to reduce production time and installation, and effectively manages alterations without compromising contractual delivery timelines.
HOW TO BE A SUPERLATIVE INTERIOR DESIGN
The trajectory we have traversed has afforded us insight into the intricate and multifaceted nature of interior design. This field necessitates meticulous consideration of aesthetic, functional, and technical elements at each stage, commencing from the genesis of the concept, born from the convergence of the client’s requisites and the designer’s ingenuity, to the final realization of the environment.
The interior designer assumes the mantle of an architect for domestic spaces, embodying a professional persona that straddles the realms of artistry and technical proficiency:
- On the one hand, the designer is tasked with the expression of creativity through the discerning selection of materials, hues, and furnishings.
- On the other, a solid foundation of technical expertise is imperative to ensure the functionality and safety of the environments, all the while maintaining a comprehensive approach.
This entails the holistic consideration of the environment as a unified entity, encompassing not only visual, but also sensorial, emotional, and functional aspects. A superlative interior design endeavors to engender an inviting and invigorating ambiance, with the capacity to enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants.
THE POTENTIAL OF TECHNOLOGY
The domain of interior design is perpetually evolving, propelled by the advent of novel technologies and personalized experiences. Digitization has revolutionized the modus operandi of conceptualization and communication, facilitating the creation of photorealistic renderings and immersive spatial visualization.
Our focus has gravitated towards the utilization of 3D modeling for rendering and 3D executive design, constituting indispensable tools for probing design prospects within the context of interior design and architecture. This combined arsenal affords a vibrant and compelling experience, thereby enabling an exploration of myriad possibilities within the confines of designated spatial parameters.
The potential of this innovative technology is not to be underestimated, as it affords us the means to elevate each project to unprecedented echelons. Furthermore, the emphasis on environmental sustainability has engendered a proliferation of ecologically sound materials and low environmental impact design solutions.
