Bonetti/Kozerski and Kelly Behun Redefine Luxury Yacht Interiors with Residential Sensibility

The traditional opulence of luxury yacht interiors—characterized by glossy timber, formal salons, and disconnected rooms—is being challenged by a new design philosophy that prioritizes residential comfort and a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. This shift is exemplified by the work of architecture firm Bonetti/Kozerski and interior designer Kelly Behun on Benetti’s Oasis series yachts.

A Fresh Perspective on Yacht Design

Italian shipbuilder Benetti sought a departure from established norms when they approached Bonetti/Kozerski nine years ago to reimagine the interiors of their new Oasis series. Instead of engaging with traditional yacht designers, Benetti deliberately chose architects from outside the industry, hoping for a fresh perspective. Bonetti/Kozerski, in collaboration with yacht designer RWD, questioned fundamental yacht design conventions, such as the standard layout of the main salon and the stark contrast between the deck and interior environments.

Blurring Interior and Exterior Lines

The core of the new approach lies in treating the yacht as a home, dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior. This is achieved through design elements like teak decking that flows uninterrupted into living spaces, expansive glazing that merges inside and out, and the use of glossy white lacquer to reflect the surrounding sky and water. As architect Enrico Bonetti notes, a client once described the feeling of stepping onto the teak floor from their cabin as already being close to the water.

The Oasis 40M, launched in 2020, became a significant success for Benetti, leading to further models and over 50 yachts built. The studio continues to customize these vessels, with recent interiors by Kelly Behun pushing the residential sensibility even further.

Residential Design Principles at Sea

Kelly Behun’s approach to the yacht interiors, particularly for a client who was simultaneously commissioning her for a holiday home in Portugal, treated the yacht as a direct extension of their domestic project. Behun emphasized creating spaces that are “elegant, comfortable, welcoming, and distinctly personal,” mirroring the brief for a land-based residence.

Designing for the marine environment presents unique challenges, including strict material regulations, weight control, and spatial limitations. Behun argues that these constraints can sharpen creativity. She focused on furniture proportions, layered natural materials like timber, stone, leather, and linen, and tactile textures to foster a lived-in feel rather than overt luxury. She notes that a space on a boat should accommodate movement, sun exposure, and casual barefoot living, thus avoiding overly studied or formal aesthetics.

A Shift Towards Personalization and Emotion

The result is an interior that feels relaxed and residential, featuring warm timber paneling, subtle lighting, and softly curved furniture, moving away from the high-gloss finishes and theatrical lighting of previous yacht designs. Behun observes a broader trend in luxury design where clients are seeking spaces that are personal, layered, and emotionally resonant, rather than merely communicating status.

Bonetti echoes this sentiment, seeing the evolution of yacht design as a move towards incorporating principles that his studio advocated for years ago. What was once radical is now becoming the norm, with many contemporary yachts adopting similar approaches to spaciousness and material integration. For Bonetti and Behun, the key to successful yacht design lies in adopting a mindset that transcends traditional nautical conventions.

Key facts

This development is significant for Paionia7 readers interested in architecture and interior design as it highlights a major trend in luxury residential and hospitality design extending into specialized sectors like superyacht interiors. It showcases how principles of comfortable, personalized living spaces are influencing even the most technically challenging environments, demonstrating innovation driven by a desire for a more human-centric approach to design.

Source: How Kelly Behun and Bonetti/Kozerski brought residential design to a luxury yacht – Wallpaper – https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/bonetti-oasis-40m-yacht-by-kelly-behun-bonetti-kozerski