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Exterior shot of woman on yacht

Norm Architects creates warm yet minimalist interior for Y9 sailing yacht

Wood-lined walls meet supple suede furnishings inside this restrained interior, designed by Danish studio Norm Architects for a luxury yacht.

Manufactured by German shipyard Y Yachts, the Y9 sailing yacht is almost 30 metres long and designed to be used by families and bigger groups, leading Norm Architects to strip the interior down to its essential features.

Interior of Y9 Yacht by Y Yachts
Norm Architects has applied its signature minimalist aesthetic to the Y9 yacht

"This way, the pared-back interior has room for the life lived within – a simplified space, yet still rich in details and thoughtful in terms of material choices," the practice explained.

The starboard side of the Y9 houses an intimate lounge, which has a built-in corner sofa topped with oatmeal-coloured cushions.

Lounge of yacht interior designed by Norm Architects
The yacht's lounge has a comfy corner sofa

Adjacently lies the dining area, anchored by a large wooden table that can host up to eight guests.

This is accompanied by a bench seat and a series of slender black-framed chairs which, when waters are rough, can be discreetly secured to the table with leather clips.

Dining area of Y9 Yacht by Y Yachts
Up to eight guests can gather to eat around the dining table

Leather handles were also fixed to the ceiling above so that passing guests and crew can steady themselves.

"The security requirements are met in style through elegant, built-in furniture that appears unfixed to create a homely feel, ultimately accomplishing an understated luxury," the practice explained.

A short flight of steps leads up to a small study, separated from the dining area by a low wooden partition.

The bow of the yacht accommodates the principal bedroom.

Its bed is framed by a headboard upholstered in beige suede that extends to form a band around the lower half of the room, concealing built-in storage cupboards. The same suede was also used to cover the bed's chunky base.

Study of yacht interior designed by Norm Architects
A small study is tucked away behind the dining area

Where possible, corners throughout the boat were curved or rounded off in order to create what the practice describes as "simpler, more coherent spaces with fluent transitions".

The walls of the Y9 are also lined with vertical wooden beams to make the rooms onboard appear loftier.

Bedroom of Y9 Yacht by Y Yachts
Beige suede wraps around the yacht's principal bedroom

This is the second time that Norm Architects has worked on the fit-out of a yacht, having completed another minimalist boat for Y Yachts back in 2019.

The practice isn't alone in turning its hand to boat design. Zaha Hadid Architects recently unveiled plans to create the sinuous solar-powered yacht Oneiric.

Wood-panelled walls in yacht interior designed by Norm Architects
Vertical wooden panels line the walls

Adam Richards Architects also built a 20-metre-long barge to accommodate a floating restaurant in London's Little Venice, finishing it with a patinated aluminium roof.

The photography is by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects.

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Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects
Y9 Yacht features minimalist interiors designed by Norm Architects