Luxury yachting is about to get seriously disrupted. ULYSSIA, a 320-metre residential superyacht, is coming, and it’s going to completely rewrite the rules of living at sea. We’re talking 122 private residences and 22 guest suites, each one built for people who want sophisticated living on the ocean.
And British designer Katharine Pooley is among the select group of international interior designers chosen to make these floating homes a reality.
Her work in bespoke luxury interiors has made her name globally, so her involvement here makes sense.
ULYSSIA isn’t just another superyacht. It’s the world’s most exclusive residential yachting community, a mobile sanctuary where the usual limits don’t apply.
If you want to explore the ocean while keeping all the comfort and refinement of a permanent home, this is a new way of doing it. Nothing quite like this exists yet.
A Vessel Unlike Any Other
The size alone puts ULYSSIA in a different category. At 320 metres, this thing is massive. It dwarfs even the most impressive superyachts sitting in the world’s top harbours right now. But it still keeps those elegant lines and sculptural beauty that define the best vessels on the water. The exterior design comes from Espen Oeino, the naval architecture firm known for getting engineering and aesthetics right in equal measure. When ULYSSIA is on the horizon, you’ll know it.
Construction is happening at MEYER YACHTS in Germany. The shipyard has built its reputation on craftsmanship and technical innovation. Her maiden voyage will leave from Monaco in the coming years, and people who treat luxury as a lifestyle choice (not just spending money) are already paying attention.
The communal spaces on board, restaurants, lounges, spas, and social areas, are being done by FM Architettura, the Italian design firm that knows how to make sophisticated spaces actually work. These shared areas will be where the community happens. Privacy and exclusivity stay intact, but there’s still room for residents to connect.
An Elite Selection of Design Talent
ULYSSIA’s approach to its private residences is smart. Multiple designers means actual variety. Katharine Pooley joins a strong lineup: Kravitz Design, Jean-Michel Gathy, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, Nicole Hollis, Jennan Hajjar, and FM Architettura. Each designer has a different perspective and style, so the residences won’t all look the same. But the standard stays high across the board.
Prospective residents can choose a designer whose vision matches their personal aesthetic. Your residence becomes a real expression of who you are, what you want, and how you live. In luxury right now, personalisation and uniqueness are what matter. ULYSSIA gets that.
Katharine Pooley’s Design Philosophy
Katharine Pooley being part of this project is significant. She’s built her reputation on interiors that go beyond decoration. They’re sophisticated expressions of individual identity. Her designs are known for being bespoke. She’s adamant that no two residences should look alike. That’s not marketing talk. It’s how her studio operates on every project.
Pooley’s approach starts with listening. She really understands what her clients want, how they live, what their aesthetic is. Every interior gets built with precision and originality because of this client-led methodology. The result is spaces that feel timelessly elegant and contemporary at the same time. Her work draws heavily on British craftsmanship, and she’s committed to sustainable values. That matters more to luxury consumers now than it used to.
Katharine Pooley comments: “ULYSSIA will be unlike any vessel the world has ever seen. At 320 metres, she transcends the definition of a superyacht, yet retains the elegance and sculptural beauty of the most celebrated yachts afloat. I am delighted to be involved in this monumental project and look forward to creating unique and innovative designs for residents”.
Her enthusiasm is real. This project gives her creative freedom that most land-based residences, even the most luxurious ones, can’t offer. For someone at Pooley’s level, ULYSSIA is a rare opportunity to show the full range of what she can do.
A Vision Rooted in Natural Beauty
Katharine Pooley’s design concept for ULYSSIA is called “Dune and Drift”. It pulls from the balance you find in natural coastal landscapes. The idea puts rugged, organic textures from coastal caves next to the smooth, refined quality of windswept sand. Contrasting elements that mirror how the yacht relates to the ocean itself.
The concept also looks at light and time. The transition between sunrise and sunset creates warmth and tranquillity on board. Natural light is maybe the most important element in interior design, but it gets overlooked constantly. Getting it right here means the residences will feel connected to the maritime environment while staying comfortable and sophisticated.
The interiors will be an elegant home away from home. Rich, tactile materials throughout. Soft cashmere, fine linens, carved timbers. Layers of texture that reward closer inspection and contribute to refined comfort.
Materiality and Craftsmanship
The materials and furnishings in these residences show how meticulous Pooley is about engaging all the senses. Furniture and fabrics aren’t just chosen for how they look. They need to invite relaxation and reflect the changing blues and greens of the ocean outside the windows.
Technology gets integrated discreetly. It stays invisible until you need it. The design stays pure, but residents still have access to every modern convenience. Custom furnishings will be created specifically for each residence. Every element contributes to the overall vision and meets the practical requirements of life at sea.
British craftsmanship runs through the whole project. It celebrates a legacy of skill, integrity, and environmental stewardship that’s defined the best British design for generations. Working with master craftspeople means each residence gets quality and attention to detail that industrial production can’t replicate.
Designing for Life at Sea
Residential interiors for a superyacht are different from land-based projects, even ambitious ones. The vessel moves constantly. The salt-air environment is harsh. Materials need to withstand marine conditions and still look beautiful. All of this requires specialist expertise.
Pooley’s vision ensures each residence on ULYSSIA works as both sanctuary and statement. Comfortable and sophisticated for every moment of the day. Whether residents need peaceful focus for work or contemplation, or want to entertain family and friends, the spaces can handle the full spectrum of daily life with grace and flexibility.
The collaborative spirit behind the entire ULYSSIA project shows a shared commitment to getting every detail right. This isn’t just a commercial venture. It’s an attempt to push the boundaries of what’s possible in residential yacht design. It’ll set a benchmark for future projects like this.
Leadership Perspective on the Project
Alain Gruber, Chief Executive Officer, Ulyssia Residences comments: “We are delighted to welcome Katharine Pooley to ULYSSIA’s distinguished portfolio of interior designers. Her signature approach embodies the elegance and quality that define ULYSSIA, and we look forward to collaborating on residential spaces that reflect this shared vision.”
That statement shows the alignment between Pooley’s design philosophy and the vision for ULYSSIA. The vessel wants to redefine what luxury means in residential yachting, not just offer it. The focus on elegance and quality as defining characteristics shows an understanding that true luxury is as much about restraint and refinement as opulence and grandeur.
The Future of Luxury at Sea
ULYSSIA is the future of luxury living at sea. A mobile community offering unparalleled experiences and surroundings to whoever secures one of its limited residences. Residential superyacht communities aren’t entirely new. But the scale, ambition, and attention to detail here set it apart from previous attempts.
For prospective residents, ULYSSIA offers the possibility of maintaining a permanent home while waking up in a different port. Exploring the world’s most exclusive destinations. Being part of a like-minded community of people who refuse to be limited by conventional ideas of residence and travel. It’s the ultimate expression of a lifestyle without boundaries.
Katharine Pooley being among the select designers chosen to shape these residences is exciting. Not just for her, but for those who’ll ultimately call ULYSSIA home. Her commitment to creating spaces that reflect individual character while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship and sustainability means the residences will be worthy of the extraordinary vessel housing them.
As the project moves through construction at MEYER YACHTS, anticipation will build among luxury property enthusiasts, yachting aficionados, and anyone who appreciates fine design, technical innovation, and visionary thinking coming together. When ULYSSIA finally embarks on her maiden voyage from Monaco, she’ll carry 122 residences. But really, she’ll carry 122 unique visions of what it means to live exceptionally well in the modern age. Katharine Pooley’s contributions will play a crucial role in bringing that vision to life.
