Milan-based design studio Hot Lab, part of the Viken Group, is proud to have given a bespoke interior to the latest Numarine 37XP explorer yacht to leave the shipyard. M/Y Oculus was delivered last summer with a bold masculine interior that successfully combines the DNA of the shipyard with the owner’s contemporary brief. It is the fourth of the line to boast a Hot Lab design.

With its angular exterior, trawler windows and towering bow, the Numarine 37XP is the quintessential compact explorer yacht, capable of long oceanic crossings. The challenge for Hot Lab was to design an interior that respected these purposeful lines and, indeed, fused seamlessly with them around the transition points from indoors to outdoors. And all this had to be done remotely while the yacht itself was still in build.

“The sharp, angular, and robust nature of this explorer perfectly matched the owner’s stylistic requirements,” said Antonio Romano, commercial director of the Viken Group and co-founder of Hot Lab. “In this instance, not only was it unnecessary to force continuity between exteriors and interiors, but it happened almost naturally without external prompts.”

“The work was also greatly facilitated by the fact that this was the fourth unit in the same series of yachts, so we are very familiar with its design, its spaces, and its strengths. In general, experience makes everything simpler. Over 20 years designing interiors for some of the world’s most iconic yachts, we have built up a clear understanding of yacht spaces, and it comes naturally to envision how a space can be enhanced,” adds Enrico Lumini, co-founder and design director of Hot Lab.

Numarine yachts have a sharp contemporary styling, with a layout to match. A large open-plan saloon fills much of the main deck, with floor-to-ceiling glass and a mixture of dining, lounging and bar areas. The owner’s cabin is positioned forward on the main, with four guest cabins on the deck below. There’s also a large upper deck lounge and a flybridge above.

"The 37XP embodies a bold spirit of exploration, and with Hot Lab's exceptional interior design, it transforms every journey into a seamless blend of elegance and purpose,” comments Ömer Malaz, Chairman of Numarine. “Together, we've created a yacht that respects its adventurous essence while offering unparalleled comfort."

If this is the canvas, Hot Lab has painted on it in masterly fashion. Pale upholstery contrasts with grey and black cushions; dark stained oak flooring with gleaming white deckheads; and joinery blending Numarine’s trademark ebony slats with white marble shot with squid ink black. Luxuriously deep woollen carpets bring a balance with a swirling, organic pattern of greys.

Stone plays an important role in the design for Oculus – notably behind the sophisticated bar at the forward end of the upper saloon. Three giant backlit panels of cream, gold and black onyx give this area a masculine, clubby feel – something enhanced by the stitched leather bar stools and metallic mesh of the bar. It contrasts with the lighter, predominantly white bar in the main saloon below.

In the owner’s his n’ hers bathroom, stone also dominates. Underfoot and around the basins and shower is a delicate silvery marble, while dark stone wall cladding carries a jellyfish pattern in the shower itself. There’s also plenty of glass here, which allows the light from the large hull windows to naturally illuminate the whole area.

“The owner requested something contemporary and quite masculine, with bold colours and contrasts,” said Lumini. “The design had to be timeless, recognisable, but not tied to fleeting trends. That’s why we immediately opted for the most classic contrast - black and white - playing with smoked mirrors, wood panelling, and significant glossy surfaces to create reflections and shadow effects.

“Every design must be a combination of the design studio’s personal elements and the DNA of the shipyard. In this sense, I believe the dining area of the saloon perfectly expresses this combination. We incorporated the slatted ceiling elements that are dear to the shipyard, but at the same time, we managed to create a “new” space separated from the rest of the salon, albeit only chromatically. We created a division without using walls, which I believe truly captures the essence of architectural design.”

Hot Lab has worked with Numarine on several projects over the years and is currently designing the interior of the shipyard’s new 45XP flagship. It also worked on the 32XP and more recently on a custom 37m yacht called Alaia.

"Our collaboration with Hot Lab has always been about pushing boundaries and creating interiors that redefine luxury and functionality,” concludes Ömer Malaz. “With each project, from the 32XP to the new 45XP flagship, we've raised the bar for what is possible in yacht design."