starck design yacht

Philippe Starck on the future of superyacht design, Elon Musk, and ‘saving the sea’

• Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Few designers have done more to re-shape the identity of the modern superyacht than the Frenchman Philippe Starck. Over the course of two decades, naval architecture and design has formed a considerable – if largely unseen – chunk of Starck’s consultancy work. His best-known boat was the late Steve Jobs’ impressive Venus, a sleek 79m superyacht built by Dutch yard Feadship.

Starck has also turned his hand to two monumental commissions, the 119m Motor Yacht A and 143m Sailing Yacht A, both owned by the self-made entrepreneur and industrialist Andrey Melnichenko. At this end of the market, clients rarely invite the world’s media into their grand saloons, so much of what we know about these boats comes from spy shots, yachting enthusiasts, rampant speculation and the occasional glittering spread in the specialist press. A keen yachtsman and boat-builder himself, the designer likes to explore new techniques and technologies on a small scale before ramping up to meet the demands of his clients. Wallpaper* spoke to Starck about the business of building boats, what drew him to the industry in the first place and what keeps his ideas afloat.

Portrait of  Philippe Starck . Photography: James Bort

W*: How did your first naval project come about? Philippe Starck: One day, a gentleman called me to ask if I could design a 120m yacht. My answer was yes. He said: ‘perfect’. When I asked him about the programme, he said: ‘Make what you want’. One month later, it was designed. He loved it. We did it. The owners are happy. W: What are the key differences between designing yachts and designing buildings? PS: Except for monuments, buildings have functions, they are useful, we hope at least. A yacht is not made to be useful, it is the ‘crystallisation’ of a childhood dream. The territory is not the same; it is a sentimental imagination built with the highest rigorist technology. It is a paradox. W*: What yachting innovations are you most proud of at Starck design? PS: My first job was to replace the vulgarity of the power of money by the elegance of intelligence and happiness. Afterwards, there was an interesting work about harmony with the sea, then I worked on the elegance of the religious minimum of invisibility and other high-tech inventions . W*: What is next in the future of yachts? Can you speak about any upcoming projects? PS: The future is electric and hydrogen for all sizes of boats, from 3m to 300m. I am ready to help Elon Musk to make the same revolution he made for cars but applied to boats. After saving the earth, now it’s time to save the sea. W: Does yacht design ever bring innovations that you can translate into products or buildings? PS: Absolutely and that’s also the reason why I design boats. A mega yacht is a free advanced technology laboratory which explores thousands of challenges. When they are won, they can be applied to everything.

Tenders for‘ Motor Yacht A’, designed by Philippe Starck, 2008.

‘Motor Yacht A’, designed by Philippe Starck, 2008.

‘Venus’ Feadship, designed by Philippe Starck, for Steve Jobs, 2012

‘Sailing yacht A’, designed by Philippe Starck, for Andrey Melnichenko, 2015.

INFORMATION For more information, visit the  Philippe Starck   website

Wallpaper* Newsletter

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.

Boghossian's new Palace Voyages collection is inspired by royal architecture

By Hannah Silver Published 18 August 24

'Tropicality' is a key theme in a new book on Indonesian architect Andra Matin, whose work blends landscape, architecture and living

By Harriet Thorpe Published 18 August 24

X Muse, Scotland's home-grown young vodka brand, is taking the art world by storm; a perfect partner then for the Edinburgh Art Festival's 20th anniversary.

By Hugo Macdonald Published 18 August 24

The French electric motorbike brand has created five sport-inspired editions as a way of marking Paris 2024 and the arrival of DAB Custom Studio

By Jonathan Bell Published 6 August 24

The Riva El-Iseo electric speedboat blends classic Italian lines with a silent, powerful and zero-emission powertrain

By Jonathan Bell Published 16 April 24

Silent Yachts has teamed up with British eVTOL manufacturer VRCO to integrate the Xcraft XP4 into the flagship Silent 120 electric catamaran

By Jonathan Bell Published 30 January 23

Green technology and Zaha Hadid Architects’ typically fluid, sculptural approach to form give the Oneiric Catamaran concept oceans of appeal

By Jonathan Bell Published 1 June 22

In the wake of the Monaco Yacht Show 2021, a new fleet of concept yachts sets sail, promising hydrogen power, virtual command centres and glass-bottomed pools – ready the retractable helipad, we're on our way

By Jonathan Bell Last updated 8 October 22

The French auto designer and engineer Robert Opron died on 29 March 2021, at the age of 89

By Jonathan Bell Last updated 10 October 22

Spirit 111 is thought to be the largest single-masted wooden yacht built in the UK since the 1930s

By Jonathan Bell Last updated 7 October 22

Copenhagen-based studio Norm considers a sleek new interior to MS Yachtbau's new competitive sailing yacht

By Jonathan Bell Last updated 12 October 22

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Wallpaper* is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories

The three superyachts that Philippe Starck designed

If there's one thing that is assured about Philippe Strack, it's that you never know what to expect from the maverick designer, whose felicity at invention is as diverse as his portfolio. The aesthetic with which he crafts a chair is similar only in the fact that it's so different from what informs his interiors. So you wouldn't be hard-pressed to imagine how unexpected and different his designs for yachts would be.

Here, we look at three iconic Philippe Starck designs that created floating architectural marvels, including a yacht for fellow iconoclast, Steve Jobs.

VENUS This 80-metre-long ship boasts an aluminium exterior that makes it look uncannily like a floating Apple notebook. Built over a period of six years, Venus has sleek contours, not unlike Apple products, but that in no way downplays the very obvious luxury of the superyacht. Fitted with large floor-to-ceiling windows, the main living area receives ample natural light. The highlight, though, has to be the seven 27-inch iMac computers in the wheelhouse.

WEDGE TOO Looking unlike anything that Starck has designed before, the stunning 65-metre-long Wedge Too is all rounded edges and warm wooden interiors, which display an eclectic mix of periods and styles. The spaces inside include a large, yet inviting, lounge and master bedroom, which offer spectuacular views of the endless ocean. It is the sundeck which contains the best part—a Jacuzzi surrounded by a solarium.

A It cuts the water with sharp-featured grace, its slim structure an eye-catching addition to the high seas, stretching through the ocean across 119 metres. And it goes by the name of A. This superyacht designed by the French icon has thoroughly modern interiors and maximizes avaliable space. The interiors feature wood furnishing that are neatly juxtaposed by a glass roof. The perfect spot from where to view one of the swimming pools located above.

• Shelves & Drawers
• Urban funiture
• Kitchen & tableware
• Home & Office
• Goods goods
• For Childrens
• Motorcycles
• Public Transport
• Artistic Management
• ARCHITECTURE
• Restaurants
• Bars & Clubs
• Culture & life Centers
• STARCK INFO
• General conditions
• ©2024 STARCK

31.12.03 - Design

Motor Yacht A

Subscribe to our newsletter

 I agree to receive communications from the Starck Group by email

Log in or Sign up

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser .

Philippe Starck design

Discussion in ' All Things Boats & Boating ' started by watchkeeper , Jun 16, 2012 .

watchkeeper Previous Member

I recently saw renders of PS designs for Steve Jobs unfinished yacht and I hope is stays unfinished. Having worked on PS first attempts at designing a yacht I for one sincerely hope that PS returns to designing furniture and trivia for Parisian trendies and leaves yacht styling to those that can.  

FMS Senior Member

Any photos of the one you worked on watchkeeper? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I never cared for apple's mac styling either, but they have lined up buyers with it. From my view, the fish tank imac was the worst computer design ever and even that sold well.  

FMS said: ↑ Any photos of the one you worked on watchkeeper? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I never cared for apple's mac styling either, but they have lined up buyers with it. From my view, the fish tank imac was the worst computer design ever and even that sold well. Click to expand...

Tad Boat Designer

Perhaps Watchkeeper is referring to this..........? http://pursuitist.com/tech/steve-jobss-unfinished-luxury-feadship-superyacht/  

Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

watchkeeper said: ↑ I recently saw renders of PS designs for Steve Jobs unfinished yacht and I hope is stays unfinished. Click to expand...

Oh... BTW, I don't think they want to waste the money invested in the half finished boat so I think Jobs' wife or some buyer is gonna waste some more and will finish the boat once . . . Cheers, Angel  

Tad said: ↑ Perhaps Watchkeeper is referring to this..........? http://pursuitist.com/tech/steve-jobss-unfinished-luxury-feadship-superyacht/ Click to expand...

watchkeeper said: ↑ Thats the one, looks like a couple of armadilos on their honeymoon Click to expand...

Tad said: ↑ Perhaps Watchkeeper is referring to this..........? http://pursuitist.com/tech/steve-jobss-unfinished-luxury-feadship-superyacht/ watchkeeper said: ↑ Thats the one, looks like a couple of armadilos on their honeymoon Click to expand...

Feadship seem to call Breathe "their" concept with no design credit......yet other sources credit the Breathe images as being the Jobs/Starck......I'm confused..... Then there's this http://gizmodo.com/5902616/confirmed-philippe-starcks-revolutionary-apple-product-is-really-just-a-stupid-boat  

Tad said: ↑ What's the bulb thingy aft of the prop? And why the rudders way out on the corners of the transom? Click to expand...

See also for propulsion efficiency . . . . . . . Contra Rotating Propulsion + Integrated Steering - / - Fixed Shaft Prop + Contra Rotating Prop on a Azipod Niigata Contra - Rotating Propulsion A first order has been placed for supply the twisted rudder/ bulb and hubcap combination promising significant fuel saving at this innovative vessel for which assignment is for high level environmental control as the ultimate target. Unique design Z-Peller is driven by Niigata prime movers as generating sets and also total integrated power / propulsion package supplied by Niigata. Click to expand...

I've only seen the renders of the PS/Feadship colaboration. I'm not a traditionalist, when I used to design (architectural) I preferred modernism/contemporary styling but this design like A lacks the essence of what a yacht is about.  

I would be appalled it if the majority of yachts were styled ignoring the design cues and functional aspects which have have been learned over centuries. However, I'm glad that a few designers are conceptualizing free from the mold. When someone such as Steve Jobs spends his money to try and create something new, I assume the design process isn't flippant, and I think it's a very good thing to try and break the mold every so often. I also find A interesting. I wish there were more online explaining the design process for it.  

• Advertisement: ';banner += ' 'document.write(banner)// -->

Good point FMS - It makes me think of . . . . . ‘‘ REASON The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. The man who listens to Reason is lost; Reason enslaves all whose minds are not strong enough to master her. ’’ George Bernard Shaw - - From: Man and Superman - - Maxims for Revolutionists Cheers, Angel  

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Steve Jobs' former yacht Venus collided with another superyacht off the coast of Naples

• Venus, the yacht built for Steve Jobs , collided with another yacht off Italy's coast.
• It's unclear which yacht struck which or when exactly the crash occurred.
• With a minimalist design, Venus is one of the world's most iconic superyachts.

Venus, Steve Jobs' former superyacht — now owned by his wife, the philanthropist and investor Laurene Powell Jobs — has collided with another superyacht off of the Italian coast.

A spokesperson from Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective who spoke with a crewmember confirmed to Business Insider that Venus, the 78-meter yacht Steve Jobs commissioned, had collided with Lady Moura, a 105-meter yacht. The collision happened on July 22 off the coast of Naples, Italy.

The spokesperson said that only crew were onboard the yacht and that both boats were anchored when a sudden change of wind led to the collision.

Venus is cruising in the Ligurian Sea, while Lady Moura made its way to Mykonos on Wednesday, based on publicly available tracking data from Marine Traffic.

Videos posted on social media show the strikingly minimalist Venus and the Lady Moura coming into contact. It's not clear from the videos which superyacht struck which, though someone who said they were aboard the Lady Moura seemed to blame Venus' crew on social media, SuperYacht Times reported. The person said the damage was "only a scratch, albeit a significant one that will be costly to repair."

Others on social media said that the Venus appeared to be moored and that Lady Moura seemed to have swung into the boat. BI hasn't been able to independently verify either claim.

Related stories

The Italian Marina Militare didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The owner of the Lady Moura couldn't be reached.

No matter how little damage may have been done, insurance will probably cover it. Yacht insurance , which can cost six figures each month, is one of the largest costs incurred by yacht owners.

Venus, built by the top yacht-builder Feadship, was delivered after Jobs died in 2011 and was worth $130 million upon completion. The Apple cofounder was heavily involved in the design process alongside the French architect and decorator Philippe Starck.

"Venus comes from the philosophy of minimum," Starck said of her design. "The elegance of the minimum, approaching dematerialization."

Jobs and Starck spent four years working on her design, the designer told Vanity Fair , holding monthly meetings to discuss her specifications. She has six identical cabins, was built to maximize absolute silence, and, upon delivery, included the most up-to-date technology.

"There will never again be a boat of that quality again. Because never again will two madmen come together to accomplish such a task," Starck told the magazine. "It was not a yacht that Steve and I were constructing, we were embarked on a philosophical action, implemented according to a quasi-religious process. We formed a single brain with four lobes." August 7, 2024 — This story has been updated with a statement from a Laurene Powell Jobs spokesperson.

Watch: Migrants who died in Italy shipwreck paid 8,000 euros each

• Main content

latest in US News

Michelle Obama tells Dems 'do something,' slams Trump on race

Doug Emhoff offers praise for Kamala Harris' 'cackle' during DNC...

Kamala Harris vows to 'put in the hard woke' in verbal slip as...

Speaker Johnson slams Biden admin for 'stunning' IG report on...

Hulk Hogan asks bar crowd if he should 'body slam' Kamala Harris,...

Chuck Schumer calls election a choice between 'dark night' and...

Anti-Israel protesters clash with police outside Israel's Chicago...

Harris snubs the Obamas by leaving Chicago for Milwaukee before...

Breaking news, missing nyc lawyer shared haunting final post before vanishing on bayesian yacht with jewelry designer wife.

A top New York City lawyer who has been missing ever since the Bayesian yacht sank off the coast of Italy on Monday morning had eerily written about his family living “happily ever after” in one of his final social media posts before vanishing with his wife in the shipwreck.

Christopher Morvillo, a 59-year-old lawyer who helped British tech tycoon Mike Lynch  — the owner of the capsized luxury boat and one of the six people missing — win his fraud trial , thanked the legal team who helped their success in his penultimate LinkedIn post before the tragedy. 

At the end of the eerie post , he wrote: “And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo.” 

“None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home. And they all lived happily ever after….” 

Morvillo is a partner at white-collar law firm Clifford Chance, which has an office on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. He is a former federal prosecutor who worked on the criminal investigation of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, according to his online bio. He specializes in cases involving insider trading and corporate fraud.

Clifford Chance celebrated Lynch’s acquittal in a June 6 press release on its site. Lynch was accused of fraud related to Hewlett Packard’s acquisition of his company, Autonomy.

“The acquittal ends a 13-year legal battle, regarded as one of Silicon Valley’s biggest-ever fraud cases,” the firm said.

Morvillo and his co-counsel added, “This verdict closes the book on a relentless 13-year effort to pin HP’s well-documented ineptitude on Dr. Lynch. Thankfully, the truth has finally prevailed. We thank Dr. Lynch for his trust throughout this ordeal and hope that he can now return home to England to resume his life and continue innovating.”

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily, leaving one dead and six missing:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing one passenger and leaving five others missing — including Michael Lynch, a tech tycoon known as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” officials said.
• Lynch had invited guests from the legal firm that represented him, Clifford Chance, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Captain James Catfield, who piloted the 184-foot, British-flagged craft, was among the 15 crew members and passengers to survive after the tornado struck Monday before sunrise.
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it slowly disappearing.
• Italian authorities have said the chances of the passengers surviving the disaster was very small, but “never say never.”

The press release ends with a statement from Lynch, saying, ” I am looking forward to returning to the UK and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field.” 

Morvillo’s wife, Neda, a jewelry designer, is also one of the six passengers still missing, officials said. 

The 160-foot luxury sailboat with 22 people aboard sank off the port of Porticello when a violent storm struck at sunrise Monday, the Italian coast guard said. 

Police divers resumed their search for the missing passengers Tuesday, attempting to reach the ship’s hull some 164 feet underwater, where officials believe people may be trapped. 

The search for those missing has been slow because the Bayesian now sits 50 meters below the surface, where divers can only stay for up to 12 minutes, fire rescue officials said in a statement Tuesday. 

Fifteen of the ship’s passengers and crew have survived, including a mother who was holding her 1-year-old daughter above her head to keep her from drowning. 

One body has been recovered  and identified as the on-board chef, officials said. 

Fire officials have said the six people unaccounted for will be referred to as “missing” until they are located in the wreckage. 

In addition to the Morvillos and Lynch, the missing include Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, as well as Jonathan Bloomer, a chairman at Morgan Stanley International, and Bloomer’s wife, Judy.

Morvillo, who has residences in New York City and South Kent, Connecticut, hails from a family of lawyers.

In an interview with the American Lawyer in 2018, he described working alongside his late father and three brothers at the firm, Morvillo Abramowitz.

“I learned more during those years than at any other point in my career, largely from just watching my father skillfully navigate clients through some of the most complex challenges that this job can throw at you,” he said. “He was the best mentor I’ve ever had.”

With Post wires

Advertisement

riva 56' rivale yacht reveals masterpiece of italian craftsmanship on water

Riva 56′ rivale open yacht.

For a brand synonymous with quality craftsmanship and high performance on water, the Riva 56’ Rivale yacht is another sculptural revelation for ocean-goers that still packs a surprise. Celebrating timeless elegance, its design combines unique styling, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional performance that merges artisan details with innovative features.

all images courtesy of Riva

dynamic, elegant, and sporty exterior design

The Riva 56’ Rivale’s open yacht design expands the iconic Italian brand ’s fleet, embodying dynamism, elegance, and sportiness. Created by Officina Italiana Design and both the Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy Committee and Engineering Department, this 56-foot masterpiece features large glazed windows, flush portholes, and a sleek aquamarine line that highlights its striking metallic exterior. The use of premium materials – high gloss mahogany, natural teak, stainless steel, and superior leather – ensures every detail is luxurious.

A unique windshield not only protects the cockpit but also completes the aerodynamic profile of the yacht. The cockpit’s main deck lounge offers a spacious sitting area with an L-shaped sofa and teak dining table. This convivial space extends in the front and back to create a seamless flow of elegance and comfort: a large sun pad facing rearwards; and a raised dormeuse in the forward section, shaded by an electro-hydraulically operated bimini top, and framed by a stainless steel and a vintage-inspired warning horn.

high performance on the sea

The bridge is equipped with state-of-the-art control, monitoring, and navigation systems featuring touchscreen displays. Behind the control station, a well-appointed cabin unit includes all guests need with a bar, practical waste collection containers, and storage compartments integrated into the helm seat. From here, the captain controls either the twin 1000hp or 1200hp MAN engines with V-drive propulsion systems. This propels the yacht to cruising speeds of 31 or 34 knots and maximum speeds of 35 or 38 knots — depending on the engine of choice — showcasing excellence in design and performance.

At the stern, the garage houses a Williams 325 tender, protected by a tach in double-shell carbon fiber. A major innovation of the 56’ Rivale is the underwater movement of the swimming platform, with additional steps in the hull providing a convenient stairway for water access.

luxury lounges and cabins below deck

Below deck, guests are treated to an elegant lounge-dinette where mirrored surfaces alternate with varnished mahogany, dark lacquered woods, and dark leather coverings. The interplay of colors and materials is quintessentially Riva, with sofas and ottoman seats upholstered in fabric by Ivano Redaelli, and wall-to-wall carpet by Van Besouw. The gallery, partially hidden by mirrored walls and sliding lacquered surfaces, features abundant storage and a unit with a bar set.

The sleeping quarters include two en-suite cabins, mirroring the luxurious color and material interplay of the lounge. Striking contrasts between white leather headboards and dark leather furnishings create an inviting atmosphere for guests. Soft furnishings by Ivano Redaelli and Van Besouw add to this opulent ambience. A single-bed crew cabin, with separate access from the cockpit, can be replaced by a third guest cabin if desired. The result is a home away from home on the open sea.

twin 1000hp or 1200hp MAN engines propels the yacht to cruising speeds of 31 or 34 knots and maximum speeds of 35 or 38 knots, respectively

the 56-foot masterpiece features large glazed windows, flush portholes, and a sleek aquamarine line

product info: 

brand: Riva

model: 56′ Rivale

happening this week! discover riva, the historic brand that blending technology and tradition, reinventing a contemporary, modern, and unique style for fiberglass yachts between 27 and 164 feet in length.

riva yacht (7)

Yacht design (234), product library.

a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

• architecture in new york (590)
• pools (119)
• water filtration systems (25)
• automotive curiosity (300)
• electric motorcycle and scooter design (326)
• paris olympics 2024 (30)
• artificial intelligence (381)
• climate change (154)
• love hultén (12)
• sound art (66)

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Superyacht Design Symposium 2018: 7 things we learned from Philippe Starck's keynote speech

Working alone is his ideal.

World renowned designer Philippe Starck joined Boat International editor Stewart Campbell at the 2018 Superyacht Design Symposium for the keynote interview. Here's what we learned...

Much has been written about Starck's reclusive nature and his monk-like lifestyle. He expanded on this, saying, "Me and my wife live as far away from everything as possible, always looking at the sea. I live with the minimum possible, like a super-luxurious monk. I work alone and I speak to nobody. I have no distractions - no telephone, no computer and no mistress. I work 14-18 hours a day and my only contact with the outside world is my wife. I am the king of concentration. When you concentrate you can create anything in the world."

As a result, anyone hoping to see Starck team up with other top yacht designers will be disappointed. "It’s a big trend to be co-working, but me - I am not trendy," he continued. "The best thing is to be alone with your white page, or you computer if you want. And then if you make something good, you can be proud of you. If you make something bad you can be ashamed of you. That’s why I always work alone."

starck.com/Facebook @StarckOfficial/Instagram @Starck

He initially turned down the Motor Yacht A project

Over the years, Starck has worked on  five notable superyacht projects and he touched on each of these in turn. The first was the 24 metre sailing yacht Virtuelle , launched in 1999, but it was the groundbreaking Motor Yacht A that saw him truly shake up the yachting world.

Reliving his introduction to owner Andrey Melnichencko, Starck said, "A young guy called and said, 'Can you design a boat for me? I am 26 years old, I am Russian and I want a superyacht.' I said, 'No, it is impossible', but everyone I spoke to afterward told me I should do it. Eventually I agreed and asked him he wanted. He said, “Make what you want.” I came up with the design and he just said, 'It's perfect, I love it.'”

Photo: Christoffer Rudquist

Venus was the product of two control freaks

Starck's star continued to rise in 2012 with the launch of Venus , designed for the late Apple founder Steve Jobs and built in the Netherlands by Feadship . However, this project had been a long time in the making, as Starck explained, "Meeting with Steve, I remember the silence. He lived in a small house with very few doors. We spent the Sunday with him, three days after he launched the first iPhone and he didn’t take a single call. He hated everything that was creative - it was not so easy.

"During seven years with Steve we refined the diameter of the table corners and how many millimetres wide the slots were. This boat is astonishing. Sadly nobody will see inside, but there are a lot of patented designs on board. It was designed by the two biggest control freaks in the world: Steve and me. Steve was the emperor of control freaks."

Sailing Yacht A was inspired by pirate ships

Starck's latest design, and arguably his most divisive yacht to date, is the 142.81 metre Sailing Yacht A . He was surprised to learn that it is by far the most popular yacht on boatinternational.com in terms of hours spent reading this website. "I was sure that everybody hated Sailing Yacht A , everybody said it was so horrible. Some people can hate it, I can understand; some people can love it, I can understand also - but it exists and I can wait because everybody hated Motor Yacht A at first as well.”

The yacht's interiors were briefly discussed, including the underwater observation room, meditation room, drive-in tender garage , before Starck touched on the inspiration for the project, "My friend said to me, 'I want a galleon, like a Caribbean pirate. I want to live non-stop on my boat, and Motor Yacht A is too small.”

Photo: Carl Groll

Bionic technology is coming

Starck's rejection of technology in his personal life hasn't stopped him from designing mobile phones for the likes of Thomson and Xiaomi. What's more, he is an advocate of bionic technology, which could eventually see humans installing a user interface inside their heads.

"My obsession is friendly access to technology," he explained. "An interface is only good if it gives the easiest access to outside services. Right now we are preparing for the fusion of bionism, when we will take the service inside of us and have neural connections. The past two years are the first time human intelligence has gone down overall. If we want to continue the curve of human evolution we have to move towards bionism. We are at the gate of the next step of humanity."

Photo: Starck with the Xiaomi smartphone Mi Mix

He is his own worst critic

Despite many notable design successes to his name, Starck is relentlessly self-critical and describes himself as a "sadomasochist". "I have a good habit - when something is finished, I cry. Not because I’m emotional but because I see how I was lazy, how I was a coward, how I was venal. I cry to be somebody so bad. For me it is never good to finish a project. My best project is always the next one."

His advice to young designers

At the end of the session, Starck finished by giving his advice to the next generation of yacht designers, who were recognised last night (January 28) during the Young Designer of the Year Awards : "If you are a young designer, the one thing to say is: be yourself, trust yourself. Just be stupid, stubborn and continue."

Sponsored listings

Bayesian: What we know about the superyacht that sank

The Bayesian, which capsized in the early hours of Monday, was an award-winning yacht owned by a company controlled by the wife of tech tycoon Mike Lynch.

News reporter @niamhielynch

Tuesday 20 August 2024 17:23, UK

The Bayesian, the award-winning superyacht, sank during a tornado off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday.

The body of one person, Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan chef who was working on the boat, has been found, but six tourists - including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah - remain missing.

Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was rescued along with 14 others - including Charlotte Golunski, a mother who told la Repubblica she held her one-year-old baby above the waves to save her from drowning.

The girl's father James Emsley also survived, according to Salvo Cocina of Sicily's civil protection agency.

Among those unaccounted for are Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and Chris Morvillo, a lawyer at major firm Clifford Chance, Mr Cocina said.

But what do we know about the ship?

The British-flagged 56 metre ship - previously called the Salute - was built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, and refitted in 2020.

More on Superyacht Sinking

Hero mum slept with baby on deck when storm sank yacht, doctor claims

Superyacht sinking: Friend of tycoon Mike Lynch 'hoping for a miracle' - as divers try to reach cabins of Bayesian

Key members of Mike Lynch's legal success now centre of tragedy after superyacht sinking

Related Topics:

• Superyacht sinking

Its 72-metre mast is the world's tallest aluminium mast, and the second tallest overall. The yacht can reach a maximum speed of 15 knots and weighs 543 tonnes.

The French design house Remi Tessier fitted out the Japanese-style interior decor, with touches of light and dark beige and dark wood furnishings, as well as a teak deck.

It won the best exterior styling at The World Superyacht Awards in 2009, and best interior at the International Superyacht Society Awards 2008.

It has six guest bedrooms - one master, three doubles, and two twins - holding 12 people, and can carry another 10 crew members.

Pictures show air conditioning units in several of the bedrooms, which could counter expert claims open windows may have caused water to rush in and tip the boat over faster.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Shipspotting.com says it is owned by a firm called Revtom Limited. Mike Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, is named as the sole shareholder of the firm on company documents.

Read more: Lynch's co-defendant dies after being hit by car days before yacht sinking We can learn from Lynch's extradition and unsuccessful prosecution

The yacht's name would resonate with Mr Lynch because his PhD thesis and the software that made his fortune involved a statistical method known as Bayesian inference, based on an 18th-century theory, that helps forecasters predict outcomes more reliably.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The price to charter the yacht is not stated, but similar vessels are listed at around £170,500 a week.

Related Topics