The silhouette is the signature
An exterior is decided in the first three seconds it is seen — from the marina, from the tender, from a photograph. Our work begins with the lines plan and ends with the last fairing detail, so every Sternwake profile reads as one continuous gesture rather than a collection of decks.
We style alongside the naval architects from day one, which means our shapes are never applied decoration: glass areas, sightlines, exhaust routing and tender handling are resolved together, and the beauty survives contact with engineering.
What's included
Concept & styling
Full exterior concept: profile, glazing logic, deck arrangement, lighting scheme and photorealistic render packages for shipyard tendering.
Naval coordination
Day-to-day design authority through engineering: we sit with the yard's naval architects so structure, systems and styling stay in agreement.
Explorers & support
Long-range explorers, shadow vessels and chase boats — working yachts with helicopter decks, cranes and dive centres, styled to match the mothership.
Process
From first sketch to launch day
Vision & brief
Two days with the owner: how they cruise, who they bring, what the yacht must say. The brief becomes a one-page design manifesto everyone signs.
Concept & renders
Hand sketches to photorealistic 3D: profile, decks, glazing and night lighting, iterated weekly until the silhouette is unmistakable.
Shipyard development
Design authority through engineering and build: fairing reviews, mock-ups, sea-trial styling sign-off and delivery detailing.