Hot Lab signs the interiors of the Aqua Lares explorer

Hot Lab, a Milanese studio founded in 2004, develops meticulous projects through style and design research, thanks to the collaboration of Antonio Romano, business manager, and Enrico Lumini, design manager. Their latest interior design project is dedicated to a superyacht: the 77.4-meter expedition vessel Aqua Lares. A unique icon in exploration circuits, Aqua Lares was previously known as Legend and has navigated routes in remote places such as Antarctica and the Svalbard, thanks to its high-strength Class 1 icebreaker hull.

Legend had previously undergone significant refit work at the Damen Ship Repair yards in the Netherlands; it was originally a Soviet icebreaker, transformed into a luxury explorer yacht in 2016 with a major reconstruction effort by Icon Yachts. For the design of the newly renovated interiors, Hot Lab worked closely with Aqua Expeditions’ Design Director, Birgit Galli Zugaro.

Hot Lab, a refit between preservation and innovation

Enrico Lumini, Co-founder and Design Director of Hot Lab: Aqua Lares has an extraordinary history and a very distinctive character, with elegant proportions and a timeless atmosphere that has developed over the decades. The brief did not ask to reinvent it, but rather to restore a sense of coherence to various areas that had been modified over time and no longer reflected the yacht’s original identity. Our goal was therefore to reconnect the renovated spaces with the overall aesthetic language of the vessel, creating a more harmonious experience throughout the yacht while introducing a refined contemporary touch. The main challenge was to find the right balance between preservation and innovation: respecting the yacht’s heritage and elevating the guest experience through updated materials, details, and comfort.

Aqua Lares is the world’s first superyacht to offer both single cabin bookings and private charters for expeditions that embrace both East Africa and the Norwegian Arctic. For guests aboard Aqua Lares, the African itinerary includes trips of 5, 9, 10, and 11 nights through the Seychelles, Tanzania, Aldabra Atoll, and Zanzibar. During trips in East Africa, passengers can discover extraordinary biodiversity hotspots and explore remote islands, including the African Banks, often inaccessible to larger vessels.

In the Arctic, expert-designed itineraries guide guests to discover the pristine and glacial nature of Svalbard, offering the chance to observe incredible spectacles such as polar bears, walruses, and imposing glaciers. More adventurous guests can take advantage of an array of equipment that includes five private tenders (three 6.5-meter Zodiacs and two 8.5-meter Rafnar Tenders), as well as paddleboards, mountain bikes, kayaks, and snorkeling and diving gear.

What makes it particularly unique is the authenticity of the experience offered: guests can access some of the most remote destinations on Earth while enjoying warm, refined, and meticulously curated interiors. This combination of exploration and high-level hospitality is what truly sets Aqua Lares apart, marking a new chapter in a story that has lasted for over fifty years.

For the designers at Hot Lab, the opportunity to contribute to this story has been the most rewarding aspect of the project. Antonio Romano, Commercial and Marketing Director of the Viken Group and Co-founder of Hot Lab, adds:

We had the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing evolution of a vessel with an extraordinary history. The refit never aimed to create a dramatic impact; rather, it was about carefully enhancing the existing strengths of the yacht and ensuring that its interiors were in tune with the exceptional experiences offered to guests. We believe the result is a more cohesive, comfortable, and timeless environment, destined to best serve Aqua Lares and its guests for many years to come.

Press agency: Sand People Communication