Bid farewell to sharp edges and rigid lines: with the Maiora 36 Exuma (36.90 m), geometry gives way to a soft touch. New shapes define space, envelope it. Demand for a new sensuality of surfaces is emerging, for full volumes, fluid curves. And the latest model by Maiora (Next Yacht Group) interprets this trend in a language of its own: curves in dialogue with the sea, lines seemingly drawn by the wind, a name, that of an archipelago in the Bahamas, that evokes the same remote, authentic, and refined experience as her namesake: Exuma.
Acube Design, the studio behind the interiors, speaks of integrated furnishings and a flowing architecture without sharp edges naturally accompanying the gaze and movement. Every passage between rooms conveys a tangible harmony and lightness.
“We aimed to combine form and function, reinterpreting the sinuous silhouettes of past designs in a contemporary key,” explain Alessio Merciadri and Alessio Benassini, Co-Founders & Chief Designers of Acube Design. Generously proportioned sofas, enveloping surfaces and gently rounded profiles transform the spaces into cozy retreats.
The main saloon, a living space suspended between comfort and elegance, presents a similarly “curvy design”, inspired by organic shapes and the movement of water. “Matte materials and light woods create a contemporary, homogeneous atmosphere. In addition to aesthetic value, organic shapes help integrate storage that would otherwise weigh on the environment.
We used light oak with dark-stained oak flooring, while the side ceilings are in Maiora’s typical Alcantara.” Curves are the leitmotif of a design that rejects rigidity and inspires spontaneity. The volumes bathe in the light of large windows, while delicate materials and natural textures ‘envelop’ guests in a visual, sensory embrace.
The exterior, by Quartostile studio, reinterprets Maiora’s DNA with a new dynamic tension. The profile develops horizontally, with a progressive increase in volume towards the bow and a full-beam superstructure, 7.90 m wide, that amplifies its solidity.
“A yacht must appear to be light, even with an imposing structure: the full-beam extension of the superstructure, lightened by the bow net, inspired by the world of sailing, allows for large living areas without losing the perceived lightness. Every detail has a function and not merely ornamental,” point out Andrea Sartori, Franco Carone and Matteo Broglia, founding partners of Quartostile.
“The designer is not an artist guided by personal taste: a designer’s work integrates costs, production processes, form and function. Here, while taking care of the exteriors, we also helped define the overall plans, to ensure liveability, architectural coherence and adaptability to different styles of use.
The vertical bow introduces a visual rhythm that flows along the sides, dissolving into the stern, where integrated chaise longues and water-level platforms blur the boundaries between living space and sea. “Sharp as a blade, this is one of the elements that excited us the most: a clean and contemporary architectural gesture.”
On the upper deck, a partially embedded pool and suspended net create a space directly connected to the sea while the bridge ensures full visibility at all times. The main deck opens onto a beach area that acts as a social island.
“The boat is versatile: perfect for private owners or for charter. The four decks and free-standing furnishings allow for both convivial and private use. The stern’s connected spaces, for example, develop across different levels, creating intimacy.” The water-level sofas and teak-framed sundeck provide a direct communion with the sea, amplified by an automatic ‘infinity door’, offering an unobstructed view from bow to stern.
Inside, a bright, level-free saloon brings together the living area and lounge bar, both defined by soft shapes. “This is among our favourite spaces,” continue the architects. “Minimal, bright and cozy. The large windows and infinity door connect to the outside. We have left more ’empty’ space than in the past, to let the areas breathe and tell their story.” “In the aft cockpit, a raised seating area creates visual continuity with the saloon and greater intimacy,” comments Andrea Sartori. “This formal ‘carpet’ descends towards the swim platform like a waterfall, linking the deck’s lines in one fluid gesture.”
At the bow of the main deck, the full-beam owner’s suite overlooks the horizon with a 270° view suspended between sky and water while the private study and large bathroom offer a peaceful oasis. The overhead net avoids a ‘canopy’ effect, allowing natural light in, and the open side space converging towards the bow create shifting patterns of shadow. “The Exuma 36 marks a new direction for Maiora, while upholding traditional elements,” conclude the architects at Acube Design.
“We avoided the ‘home effect’ trend, as functionality is our priority, achieving consistency between brand, naval architecture and interiors by studying the yard’s history and maintaining a constant dialogue with the Style Office.”
Marta Gasparini
