Residential design continues to evolve alongside changing lifestyles, with private clients placing increasing importance on individuality, craftsmanship, and spaces that reflect their personal identity. Across architecture, interior design, and luxury developments, bespoke environments have become a defining characteristic of the premium residential market, where every detail is considered part of a larger narrative. Designers are responding by creating homes that balance aesthetics with functionality while drawing inspiration from nature, local craftsmanship, and contemporary ways of living. As residential concepts become increasingly ambitious, the relationship between design and experience is expanding into entirely new environments.
This transformation is reflected across the global design industry. According to the Luxury Investment Index by Knight Frank, exceptional design and architectural quality remain among the strongest contributors to long-term value in prime residential property, with buyers increasingly seeking residences that express individuality and craftsmanship. Architectural historian and critic Paul Goldberger has observed, “Architecture is about trying to make the world a little more like our dreams,” highlighting the enduring role of design in shaping how people experience the spaces they inhabit. His observation extends beyond architecture itself, suggesting that carefully conceived interiors influence not only the appearance of a residence but also the emotional connection between people and the places they call home. As luxury developments continue to evolve, collaborations with internationally recognised designers have become an important way of creating residences distinguished by character as well as technical excellence. This approach is particularly evident in projects that combine residential living with hospitality, travel, and design on an unprecedented scale.
Among these developments is ULYSSIA, a 320-metre residential superyacht conceived as a permanent community at sea. Scheduled to begin construction at the historic MEYER YACHTS shipyard in Germany following a design by Espen Øino, the project will comprise 122 private residences and 22 guest suites, introducing a new interpretation of long-term life on the water. Planned to depart from Monaco on its inaugural voyage in the coming years, the vessel brings together architecture, hospitality, and residential living within a single concept.
Katharine Pooley has been selected as one of the internationally recognised interior designers responsible for shaping the yacht’s private residences. She joins a carefully curated group that includes Kravitz Design, Jean-Michel Gathy, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, Nicole Hollis, Jennan Hajjar, and FM Architettura, while the latter is also responsible for the vessel’s restaurants, lounges, wellness facilities, and communal gathering spaces.
Known for creating residences developed around the individual requirements of each client, Katharine Pooley approaches every project through a process centred on personal consultation, ensuring that no two interiors follow the same design language. Her work combines British craftsmanship with carefully selected materials, attention to proportion, and a strong understanding of how people interact with their surroundings. Could residential design at sea become as personal and distinctive as the world’s most exceptional private homes?
For ULYSSIA, Pooley presents a concept entitled Dune and Drift, inspired by coastal landscapes and the gradual transition between land and sea. Textured surfaces recalling natural rock formations are combined with softer materials influenced by sand, while changing daylight serves as a reference for the palette, creating interiors that evolve gently throughout the day.
Natural materials play a central role throughout the residences. Cashmere, linen, carved timber, and custom-produced furnishings create warm, tactile interiors, while carefully integrated technology remains discreetly positioned within the architecture, allowing materials and craftsmanship to define the atmosphere of each space. Shades of blue and green reference the surrounding ocean, establishing a visual dialogue between the interiors and the constantly changing horizon beyond.
The residences have been conceived to accommodate different moments of everyday life, from quiet reflection to gatherings with family and friends. Flexibility, comfort, and carefully considered proportions guide the layouts, allowing each residence to function as a permanent home while responding to the unique rhythm of life at sea. The project also highlights the contribution of British craftsmanship, recognising traditional skills alongside contemporary design and responsible material selection.
Commenting on the collaboration, Katharine Pooley describes ULYSSIA as a project unlike any vessel previously conceived, noting that its scale extends beyond conventional definitions of a superyacht while preserving the elegance associated with some of the world’s finest yachts. She explains that the opportunity to contribute to such an ambitious development offers the possibility of creating highly individual residences for future owners.
Alain Gruber, Chief Executive Officer of ULYSSIA Residences, also welcomed the appointment, stating that Katharine Pooley’s approach to residential design complements the project’s vision and will contribute to interiors that reflect the quality and character expected throughout the development.
As residential concepts continue to expand beyond traditional settings, projects such as ULYSSIA illustrate how architecture, interior design, and long-term living are entering new territory. By bringing together internationally recognised designers, specialist craftsmanship, and a residential community conceived entirely for life at sea, the project presents a distinctive perspective on the future of luxury living.
