Though Heesen Yachts designed their 42m luxury yacht, Life Saga, way back in 1994, it was more recently given a complete refit by Pastrovich Studio. Instead of simply giving it a new look by bringing in new flooring and furniture, the company drew from the 5th century for inspiration and gave Life Saga…well, a new life.
Known as the "ideal city," the 5th century represented geometric design and medieval tradition. With floor plans based on grids and the experimentation with perspective, this time period had a huge impact on future architecture.
Life Saga's main salon and dining room is a direct response to the "geometrical rules invented during" this time, divided into 12 equal sectors of 30 degrees. Each sector either hides or reveals the exterior ocean view. Wanting to connect the interior with the exterior, the design team brought in glass doors and used partitions to give the illusion of greater space and volume. With so many different areas onboard, some partially enclosed by a circular wall, the yacht's interior looks more like a home.
Wanting the owner to be able to use the aft salon and terrace together, Pastrovich Studio intend for the aft doors to be left open most of the time. They brought in a sliding Japanese door near the main salon so the liquor cabinet and dining area will keep cool in hot temperatures — which also means the owners won't have to ramp up the air conditioning.
I especially like the ambient lighting, which is used throughout the vessel and is meant to give each space its own personality. The owners can change the colors depending on the occasion or how they're feeling, giving them complete control on a day-to-day basis.
Pastrovich noticed that the dining room wasn't being used that often, so they gave the option of using it for a TV room too (which is acoustically helped by that Japanese screen). The round table can be lowered, transforming into extra seating room thanks to a large cushion. If the owner does feel like dining and wants to face a different direction, the entire set-up can be rotated to face aft or forwards.
Believing that the wheelhouse should be "designed as a place for pilots, not a place for drinking champagne," Pastrovich transformed it into that of a spaceship command center — complete with a carbon fiber console and LED lighting.
Life Saga may not be on the market, but I certainly know who I'm hiring to refit my future yacht!
