Vessels Of Ideas

We lift the curtain on naval architecture and interior design to seek inspiration for land-based projects.

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In the enclave of Sentosa Cove in Singapore stands a pair of bungalows located by a water canal. If not for the residential context, it is easy to mistake them as yachts in a dry dock.

Villas Vento and Mistral are conceptualised by the Italy-headquartered Mercurio Design Lab (MDL) with the support of AM Architects, and resemble muscular vessels slicing through the water.

With its powerful solidity and metallictinged white colour, Villa Mistral calls to mind a sleek cruise ship. Villa Vento, on the other hand, was inspired by the C42 cabin cruiser from Sessa Marine, complete with a vaulting roof and wraparound glazing.

For many, the call of the sea is irresistible, which is why it is no surprise that studios like Mercurio Design Lab would turn to it for ideas when designing for dry land.

“With their sweeping, sleek lines, grand proportions and understated elegance, the architecture of leisure craft that sail the seas provides an endless wellspring of ideas,” says Massimo Mercurio, creative director of MDL.

Aesthetics aside, there are several best practices that can be borrowed from yachts and ships to be introduced into projects on terra firma.