Luxury Travel News: Introducing the New Era of Sustainable Superyacht Design by Njord by Bergman Design House

Luxury Travel News: The Specialist Superyacht Interior Architecture and Design Studio is Making Waves in the Superyacht World

 

Njord by Bergman Design House, the superyacht interior architecture and design studio co-founded by Marie Soliman, Albin Berglund and Sarah Colbon, is delighted to unveil their latest superyacht projects for 2022. As the yachting arm of London’s award-winning interior design studio Bergman Design House, Njord by Bergman Design House has refit the 56m Benetti Galaxy, converted 61m Cassius from a former commercial ship, and new build 83m Eden using the highest levels of sustainable methods and technique. Albin, Marie and Colbon are considered movers and shakers in the design and superyacht industry – inspiring and innovating the world of luxury travel as they push boundaries in floating hotel design. 

 

Galaxy by Njord by Bergman Design House

Specification

• 56m LOA, 10.4m beam 3.3 draught over 892 gt
• 14 guests
• 10 crew & staff

• 2 main engines; 15kn cruising speed, top speed of 16kn

The Project

The Galaxy project was a refit that was broken down into phases to allow the client to enjoy their new yacht while Njord simultaneously worked their magic on the interior design. The design concept for Galaxy was to create a new universe that the owners could call home.

Phase one of the project took place in Spring 2021 and saw the addition of new rugs, artwork, exterior seating, cushions and a general up-styling of the interior so the client could enjoy a summer season onboard whilst living in a space that felt more like home. This allowed the owner to live in the space and feedback to Njord first-hand on which areas they found most comfortable and which they used less, all of which helped to inform the second, full refit phase.

Every piece placed on board during phase one flowed into phase two, ensuring nothing was wasted. Once the concept was agreed, a full interior refit of the main guest areas took place alongside exterior styling, giving the yacht a new lease of life. With a goal to complete the project within five months, this would be the shortest time frame in which any superyacht has ever undergone a refit. Together with the trust and can-do attitude of the owners, the Monaco Marine shipyard and the formidable crew, Galaxy has done just that.

Completed in February 2022 after a record breaking five month refit, which would typically take a minimum of 18 months, Galaxy is set to sail to the Caribbean from Europe to meet the new owners and host a design unveiling party.

 

Notable Design Features

• A wall covering by Dylan Cole, representing a-once-in-a-lifetime commission for the artist renowned for creating the world of Disney's Avatar, Maleficent and Superman. Designing the clients’ own ‘Pandora World’ aboard Galaxy, this was the first ever yacht project Cole has created outside of Hollywood movies. The wall covering covers the whole main saloon, which serves as a relaxation and yoga space by day, and the owners’ very own private members club deck for entertaining by night.  
• ‘The Thinker’ sculpture by Joseph Kibansky is one of the most iconic sculpture pieces onboard Galaxy and will be the centrepiece of the whole experience. Kibansky’s ‘Baby We Made It’ turtles are onboard already and are a firm favourite!
• All materials used are from natural elements such as rock crystal and fully sustainable fabrics. The wood used in the flooring was specially selected to mimic the sensation of waves beneath the feet and enhance the senses. The furniture is completely organic, designed by Njord and produced by BlackBerg Collection.
• Exterior-wise, Njord have rebranded Galaxy’s look and feel from the nameplate logo and lifted youth into her exterior styling, with black painted mast and line accents alongside a full paint of the hull to breathe new life into her. 

Commenting on the Galaxy project, Njord co-founder Sarah Colbon said: "Galaxy is no longer just another white Superyacht gracing the ocean along the French Riviera, she has been transformed into the private owners’ own floating universe, a home which encapsulates their lifestyle and a design that has never been done before onboard a yacht of this kind. Galaxy is now a destination, a marvel that touches all your body's senses and excites and embraces you with its energy during each step you take onboard. Galaxy will now transport her new owners into another dimension.”

 

Cassius by Njord by Bergman Design House

Specification

• 61m LOA, 14m beam 4.6m draught over 1500 gt
• 12 guests
• 16 crew & staff
• 2 pools
• Spa, gym and massage room
• Cinema
• Tender and toy garage
• Submarine with moon pool
• Main engines; 2 x 3,162 kw 10kn cruising speed 12,000nm range

The Project

A collaboration between C-Quest Yachts, Dennis Ingemansson exterior design and Njord by Bergman Design House, Cassius is thought to be the most sustainable conversion of a ship into a superyacht of all time.

Cassius is a complete refit of the 62m commercial Damen vessel Shelf Express. With sectors of the shipping industry in decline, many solid ships are no longer required. And what better way to recycle than to turn it into your very own expedition yacht?

Combining years of world cruising experience with a practical knowledge of running superyachts, the team have strived to deliver uncompromising perfection when it comes to the production of Cassius. The process starts with the selection of trusted "Ocean going" commercial ships which are already proven on the world's wildest oceans. For example, using this 61m Dutch built Ocean going platform supply vessel, the team have designed a beautiful yet rugged explorer to take clients anywhere they and their families desire in comfort and safety.

The exterior design by Dennis Ingemansson has captured this vessel's heritage and transformed it into a stunning and practical genuine world explorer yacht. With a decreased lead time and lower build costs than that of a traditional new build, Cassius provides a rugged, unparalleled ability to explore in luxurious style.

The interior design is by Njord by Bergman Design House. This magnificent yacht, which once lived the life of a commercial shipping vessel, has been resurrected and converted into a luxurious exploration superyacht. Cassius is a destination in itself, with a tough exterior that is ready to face all elements in its exploration of the ocean.

A scheme inspired by nature creates a sense of purity within all spaces, with natural elements like stone and bamboo, strong sharp edge, and a rawness that defines comfort and luxury. Njord has combined the most sustainable materials found on earth with the natural light on board to create a truly stunning habitat. “We believe that the greatest source of materials is found in nature’s beauty” said Marie Soliman, co-founder of Njord by Bergman Design House.

A sustainable design ethos has been used throughout. “We follow nature not trends” says Albin Berglund, co-founder of Njord by Bergman Design House. “Nature is wild and powerful, yet it needs to be preserved, so we have worked alongside some of the best in the world to give us access to these precious resources to use on Cassius’ interior”.

Every single element in the design has been carefully sourced, with an emphasis on traceability. For example, the team worked with La Maison Oscar Ono to create the wood flooring throughout, a supplier who pays great attention to preserving a precious link with nature, sustainability and traditional craftsmanship. 

The paradox of Cassius gives an experience of gratitude which allows guests to fully embrace the surroundings which the yacht will explore. “We wanted to create the true meaning of exploration by creating this project as a destination within itself” said Sarah Colbon.

Eden by Njord by Bergman Design House

The Project

Njord by Bergman Design House developed the intricate design interior of 83m motor yacht Eden. Inspired by the ocean to bestow great delight, content and happiness for the owner and their guests.

Design feature one – Creating the Ocean effect – Njord’s vision was to imagine a drop of water falling onto the floor, creating a ripple effect over the surfaces of the yacht. This inspired both the wood flooring that created circular pattern hues from dark to light and combined with the water cut marble table in the main salon. The team were able to blend the exterior with the interior in a calm, subtle, elegant way.

Design feature two- Creating the “Air” of well-being and wellness – The request from the client was to create the cleanest air throughout Eden, ensuring the air-conditioning and air-filtration systems worked with the interior. Njord were able to include a full extended spa experience onboard with UV treated high pressure water and infrared sauna. A salt room that purifies the air you breathe was designed with a view just above the waves of the Sanctuary room. Circulation of the purest air is a big part of Eden’s interior experience and was an important design feature throughout.

Design feature three – Removing weight and adding “Smart Technology” - Weight is of course a big factor to consider when developing the interior concept, and there are many aspects to this where functionality and technology (and a bit of "out of the box" thinking) really can play a big role. Njord by Bergman Design House developed for Eden a new version of the Smart Glass product that with electricity changes transparency in the hues of the sunset colours. From fully clear to completely opaque. But not the typical clear to “frosted” look. The Njord team then developed a way to make it more or less opaque depending on the voltage running through the glass. Also the colours arise from the top of the glass acting as a shade in the most beautiful sunset ombre hues and the more voltage applied the hues spread down the glass until it is fully opaque in and specified colour. Playing this to all windows so you don't see the use of curtains and save on weight and on cleaning. Simple but magnificent and functional.

Design feature four – Taking away “Height limitations”. Understanding what is architectural achievable and how the Njord team as interior designers can emphasise the desired effect is part of what designers love to do, be challenged and produce the vision. The task ahead was to create an illusional “height” to the space onboard Eden, the whole main saloon was designed to have a ripple effect reflected ceiling, imitating the ocean. Together with the opening to the floor above the barrier between ceiling and double ceiling seem to disappear. The Njord team were able to blur the boundaries, literally and the effect is a sense of height and elegance. Njord were able to achieve this by producing a unique type of foil stretched lycra material that would imitate the look of metal but with a fraction of its weight.

 

About Njord by Bergman Design House

In late 2020, Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund of Bergman Design House discovered that many of their clients were spending much more time onboard their yachts throughout the pandemic. Seeing an increased demand for exquisite design within the superyacht world, they founded Njord by Bergman Design House, a specialist superyacht interior design studio, alongside Sarah Colbon.

One of the most connected and knowledgeable women in yachting, Sarah Colbon made the perfect partner. Having worked with some of the most iconic yachts on the water today Sarah’s experience in the superyacht world spans over a decade.

"Our clients were saying they loved to charter their yachts and go away for a week or two, but that they simply didn’t feel like home when they lived onboard for up to 6-9 months. From a lack of comfort and privacy to bad storage and lighting, they needed our help. Bergman had already been doing their palaces and private residences and we already knew their lifestyle and tastes, so we simply jumped in and explored how we could make a yacht feel more like a home!” said Marie.

Njord’s philosophy centres on the creation of environments for their clients that are shaped by the future yet rooted in today’s reality, therefore making their designs relevant tomorrow.

“We do what we do simply because it’s our duty. In every choice we make for our clients, we must envision what “tomorrow’s today” will look like”, said Albin. "We respect every aspect of our clients’ lifestyle as if it was our own and we acknowledge and embrace them as family and friends. This in turn allows them to instil their trust into us, which ultimately comes across in our design".

Njord takes its name from the Norse god of wind and waters. The Njord team’s mission, as interior designers, is to encapsulate the land, sea and air and work with the natural elements to bring their unique vision to life and most importantly, make each project feel like home.