FLY ME TO THE MOON

A stunning new 60-metre Heesen FDHF superyacht with an interior that is simply out of this world

TEXT BY JULIA ZALTZMAN

When Lusine’s owner pictured his new custom fast-displacement yacht, his vision was out of this world. This cosmic creation features more than 180 rare materials in a dazzling interior penned by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Over 30 different types of wood, precious fabrics and exquisite finishes come together to create one of the most detailed superyachts ever crafted. And the jewel in the crown? An intergalactic inlay of meteorite, mounted centre-stage in the middle of the main saloon table.

Oak Versailles-patterned floors, crystal chandeliers by Precision lighting, and gold leaf and white onyx sideboards complement the lifestyle of a Middle Eastern owner with classic French tastes. Stingray skin lines the walls. Mother of pearl adds a lustrous sheen. Clocks of all shapes and sizes are found in every room to underline the mantra that “time is precious.”

Though the owner sadly passed away just a week before Lusine was delivered in spring 2022, his focus never wavered. Above all else, Lusine – meaning moon in Armenian – was intended to be a boat enjoyed with friends and family, an intention that is reflected in an exhaustive attention to detail.

“The owner really considered every aspect of the design and layout,” says Paul Costerus, senior designer at Sinot. “From how guests are greeted when they board the boat, to the precise height of a bedroom drawer, even to the angle and placement of the bedside light switches in the master suite. He was very particular about all the practical needs.”

Lusine has more single beds than are typically found aboard a yacht of this size – albeit larger than the standard single. It’s a setup that reflects the owner’s wish for Lusine to be a place where time aboard could be spent in the company of friends and “everyone should feel equal”.

“The guest bathrooms are symmetrical, each with a dual set up, for when the cabin is shared by two individuals who are not necessarily a couple,” says Costerus.

Though travel was restricted during the pandemic, multiple samples of every material were sent to the owner for approval. Though brightly lit with natural light, the main saloon enjoys a moody atmosphere with rich woods in all guises, such as open pore walnut, lacquered walnut and high gloss walnut in various shades. A stainless steel trim with a champagne gold leaf inlay illuminates wood panelled walls. In one room, it’s blue puffer fish trim. In the next, green chagrin, a luxury goat leather.

“There are nuances of all types of materials in each room,” says Costerus. “Whichever one is spotlighted is always in sync with something else in the room.”

At the heart of the design was the owner’s desire to craft something worth seeing. “He wanted to be proud of this thing that he was creating.”

Artworks complement the inventive interior. Soaring up the stairwell in the central atrium that reaches up from the lower deck to the sun deck is a cream wall of tooled 3D leather by British artist Helen Amy Murray. It illustrates three dimensions of nature: marine life on the lower deck, birds and clouds on the level above, and at the top, the moon and stars.

Celestial wall charts made from blue agate and straw marquetry represent the night sky, with stars crafted from moonstone. Moonstone is also found in the main saloon, surrounded by palladium leaf. The yacht’s namesake symbol is found throughout the interior, and even in some exterior guest areas, such as the sun deck, where a touch-and-go helipad is personalized with a crescent moon, replacing the usual letter H. Minimal furniture makes the sun deck highly flexible. It can serve as a dance floor, yoga deck or sun lounge. Unusually, this level houses a twin suite forward, which has its own private terrace.

On the dedicated owner’s deck resides a fullbeam suite with king-sized bed, his and her bathrooms, and a study. At the touch of a button, the master suite windows frost, creating a sanctuary in which to relax. The private terrace has lounge seats that face the stern with panoramic views and an on-deck jacuzzi. The area is also set up for secluded private dining.

“The owner considered all aspects of crew service to minimize disruption to guests,” says Costerus. “All access and crew areas are hidden away, so they can operate like a secret service.”

Nothing has been spared in the way of comforts, including marble-clad ensuites with underfloor heating and a beach club for lazing by the edge of the ocean. Lusine’s owner may have been denied the joy of enjoying his yacht on the water, but his vision to play among the stars lives on.