With a surge in demand for its yacht design services, Milan-based Hot Lab is currently experiencing its busiest period, with 16 yacht projects in progress at Mediterranean shipyards, including six full superyacht designs ranging from 24m to 50m LOA that will be delivered in 2023. 


M/Y Night Fury II (Atlantique 43m)

“The last four years were very profitable for us and the studio increased in terms of style, the quality of its works and the self-confidence of the team. This is due to the hard work done day by day (and sometime by night), and thanks to our customers that believed in our firm,” said co-founder and business director Antonio Romano. “More recently we moved Hot Lab under the umbrella of the Viken Group. It has been a major change of gear and already in 2023, we have signed four new contracts. We are exceedingly pleased.”


Hot Lab partners (photo by Giovanni Malgarini)

The structural changes have been mirrored by a change in the design process, overseen by design manager Enrico Lumini. He explained: “That’s when we crystallized our motto of ‘architecture for voyagers’. The idea was to simplify exterior design to become more essential, pure, clean. We wanted to give more importance to the volumetric, architectural aspects of design. It has struck an immediate chord with our clients.”

Hot Lab Studio's Pandemic-Inspired 100m Concept Drives Success for Columbus Yachts' 43m Atlantique. The studio's 100m concept, designed during the pandemic for a private client, informed the design of Columbus Yachts' 43m Atlantique, a hugely successful project that has become a showcase for the reinvigorated Hot Lab. The studio has grown to employ 12 people and offers a portfolio ranging from day cruisers to mega yachts. 


M/Y Night Fury II (Atlantique 43m) main saloon

“That was the turning point for us,” Lumini said. “Columbus then sold three of them in a few months. The owner of the first one put his full trust in us, giving us a rare degree of autonomy in the interior styling and layout of the yacht. My idea was that everything should be in wood, but wherever it was cut out or rebated, there would be a marble or a stone treasure. Plants were also a major part of the internal brief. I love to integrate green to an interior – it makes it cozier and demonstrates that the space is more lived and loved.”


M/Y Kasif (full custom project 42m)

The demand for their services has led to the development of six superyacht projects, set to be delivered in 2023, including projects with Bilgin Yachts (50m, interior), Numarine (37XP, interior), AES 35m, interior and exterior, and the interior for Arcadia Sherpa 80


M/Y Eternal Spark (Bilgin 50m)

The Hot Lab portfolio ranges from day cruisers to mega yachts. But despite the breadth of the fleet, there is a recognisable Hot Lab style, according to Lumini. “We definitely have a house style. Extremely clean lines and seamless surfaces are our traits outside. And for interiors, we prefer natural materials whose qualities you can clearly perceive and touch. If we use stone, we’d rather have it natural rather than glossy. We like open-grained wood and cotton or raffia. That said, we are designers, and that means doing our all to represent the client’s wishes.”


Arcadia Sherpa 80

Established in Milan, Italy by Antonio Romano and Enrico Lumini, Hot Lab is a yacht design and naval architecture firm that has distinguished itself globally with forward-leaning, award-winning yacht designs that display the firm’s “Architecture for Voyagers” approach to balanced and purposeful luxury.

The Viken Group includes Tillberg Design of Sweden, Hot Lab and Thalia Marine. It has been established to gather leading and passionate companies, with similar ideas and business ethics, under one umbrella. This enables it to provide a full range of completely aligned and comprehensive design, naval architecture and project management services. All these proficiencies will be available to both cruise line and yacht clients, as well as to customers within hotel, resorts and private island developments.

Credits: Viken Group

Latest News

114m Luna Listed for Sale
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New Appointment: Anna Silvesjö as Viken Group New CEO
Viken Group, a global marine design firm specializing in cruise ships and superyachts, has appointed Anna Silvesjö as Chief Executive Officer. Silvesjö previously served as Partner and Group Chief Financial Officer of the company, which owns design studios TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden), Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine.Silvesjö outlined her strategic priorities for the group: "Viken Group will continue to expand into new market segments while deepening partnerships with clients through our on-brand design philosophy. Our design solutions align with each client's brand identity, culture, and target audience." She emphasized design excellence, commercial performance, and talent retention as key focus areas.Anna SilvesjöA central initiative under Silvesjö's leadership will be the development of Navigator, the group's integrated service platform for maritime projects. "Rooted in decades of experience across cruise ships, expedition yachts, and private yachts, Navigator simplifies the complexity of shipbuilding while ensuring rigorous cost control throughout development and construction," said Fredrik Johansson, Viken Group Co-Founder.The leadership transition occurs as the marine design industry continues to evolve, with Silvesjö representing one of few female executives in the sector. Her appointment reflects the group's emphasis on financial and operational management combined with design expertise.Viken Group's three subsidiaries maintain distinct specializations: TDoS in cruise ship design, Hot Lab in superyacht concepts, and Thalia Marine in naval architecture and engineering. The group currently operates across multiple international markets, serving both new construction and refit projects.No additional executive changes were announced alongside Silvesjö's promotion. The transition takes immediate effect, with Silvesjö assuming full operational responsibility for the group's global activities.Credits: Viken Group
Eighth DOM 133 Andala Launched by Baglietto
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In-Mind Design Unveils Interstellar Superyacht Concept
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Sanlorenzo Launches Multifunctional Art Space in Historic Venice Palazzo
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