Spatializing Prestige: Architectural Reflections of Brand Identity in Luxury Yacht Interiors
Inanc Isil Yildirim
Istanbul Galata University, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, Beyoglu, Istanbul,
Turkiye.
Abstract
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In the luxury market, brand identity is no longer confined to logos, slogans, or corporate color pal- ettes-it is spatially experienced. This study exam- ines how luxury yacht interiors serve as immersive expressions of brand identity through spatial design strategies and architectural articulation. Unlike stat- ic environments such as retail stores or hospitality venues, yacht interiors present a dynamic spatial condition where intimacy, motion, and personaliza- tion intersect. Drawing on branding theory, spatial semiotics, and interior architecture, the research in- vestigates how materials, spatial hierarchy, lighting, and multisensory elements construct a narrative of prestige within maritime interiors. Case studies of yachts affiliated with fashion houses and bespoke shipyards reveal how abstract brand values such as exclusivity, heritage, and innovation are material- ized at sea. The study conceptualizes these interiors as curated environments where the owner’s person- al narrative and brand persona converge-resulting in prestige being spatialized rather than merely sig- nified. Ultimately, the paper advocates for identity- driven design approaches in yacht interiors, where architecture functions as a communicative medium for experiential branding in the age of hyper-per- sonalized luxury.
Keywords: Luxury yacht interiors; brand identity; spatial branding; interior architecture; brandscaping; experiential design; prestige; mar- itime design.
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Corresponding Author
Inanc Isil Yildirim,
Istanbul Galata University,
Istanbul,
Turkiye,
E-mail: inancisilyildirim@gmail.com