Milan, Italy – Milan-based design studio Hot Lab, part of The Viken Group, has unveiled details of its latest superyacht interior design project: the 77.4-metre Aqua Lares, a legendary expedition vessel reimagined as a luxurious platform for discovering some of the world’s most remote destinations.

Built in 1974 by Verschure and formerly known as Legend, the yacht has earned a distinguished reputation among exploration enthusiasts. Originally constructed as a Soviet icebreaker, she features a heavy-duty Class 1 icebreaking hull that has enabled her to navigate challenging polar environments, including Antarctica and Svalbard.

Following extensive refit work at Damen Ship Repair facilities in the Netherlands, the vessel underwent a major transformation in 2016 by Icon Yachts, emerging as a luxury explorer yacht. Her original exterior was designed by M.E Consulting, while the earlier interiors were created by John Misiag Design and Shelley McNaughton Interior Designs.

For the yacht’s latest interior refit, Hot Lab collaborated closely with Aqua Expeditions Design Director Birgit Galli Zugaro, with the shared objective of preserving the vessel’s distinctive character while enhancing comfort, functionality and contemporary elegance.

Preserving Heritage While Embracing Modern Luxury

Rather than radically reinventing the yacht, Hot Lab drew inspiration from her rich history, distinctive proportions and timeless architectural character, which have evolved over more than five decades.

Enrico Lumini, Co-founder and Design Director at Hot Lab, explained that the design brief focused on restoring visual consistency to areas that had been modified over the years and no longer reflected the yacht’s original identity.

The studio sought to reconnect these spaces with the vessel’s overall design language, creating a more harmonious experience throughout the yacht while introducing contemporary materials, refined detailing and enhanced comfort.

According to Lumini, the central challenge was striking the right balance between preservation and innovation, respecting the yacht’s heritage while elevating the onboard guest experience through carefully selected finishes and thoughtful design improvements.

A Global Explorer Connecting East Africa and the Arctic

As the sixth addition to the Aqua Expeditions fleet, Aqua Lares introduces a distinctive approach to luxury expedition travel. The yacht offers both individual cabin bookings and exclusive private charters, allowing guests to explore the diverse landscapes of East Africa and the Norwegian Arctic.

Her East African itineraries include five-, nine-, 10- and 11-night voyages through the Seychelles, Tanzania, the Aldabra Atoll and Zanzibar. These journeys offer access to extraordinary marine biodiversity, remote islands and secluded destinations, including the African Banks, which are often inaccessible to larger vessels.

In the Arctic, expertly planned expeditions take guests into the dramatic wilderness of Svalbard, where they may encounter polar bears and walruses while witnessing spectacular glaciers and icy landscapes.

Adventure seekers can also take advantage of an extensive collection of equipment, including five private tenders—three 6.5-metre Zodiacs and two 8.5-metre Rafnar tenders—as well as paddleboards, mountain bikes, kayaks, snorkelling equipment and diving gear.

The yacht’s ability to operate across dramatically different climates played a central role in shaping her interiors. Hot Lab’s design team carefully selected materials, finishes and textiles to ensure that the spaces remain inviting in colder environments while retaining a light, elegant atmosphere suited to warmer destinations.

Chiara Pastore, Senior FF&E Designer at Hot Lab, noted that durability, ease of maintenance and long-term performance were equally important considerations, ensuring that the interiors can withstand intensive use without sacrificing their sophisticated appearance.

Six Decks of Comfort, Leisure and Personalised Service

Despite her rugged exploration capabilities, Aqua Lares delivers the refined hospitality expected of a luxury superyacht. Guests benefit from personalised service, world-class cuisine, expert-led small-group excursions and an impressive one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio.

Spread across six decks, the yacht offers an extensive range of leisure and entertainment facilities. These include a panoramic sundeck with a dedicated bar and lounge, a fully equipped gym, an indoor dining room, a shaded outdoor dining area, a saloon, a boutique and a private cinema.

Her wellness facilities further enhance the onboard experience, featuring two Jacuzzis, a spa, a sauna and a dedicated massage room.

Accommodation is available in cabins ranging from 13 to 66 square metres, including three generously proportioned owner’s suites, providing guests with a choice of intimate retreats and spacious private accommodation.

Elegant Interiors Designed to Feel Like Home

The interior concept is built around the idea of creating a welcoming residential atmosphere rather than a conventional expedition vessel environment. Every design element has been carefully considered to encourage guests to relax, connect with their surroundings and enjoy a deeper sense of immersion in the destinations they visit.

A sophisticated combination of natural materials, rich textures and balanced colours establishes a warm and inviting aesthetic. Layered lighting, tactile finishes and understated detailing add depth and refinement, while carefully planned furniture arrangements accommodate both social gatherings and quieter moments of privacy.

Guest comfort remained at the heart of the design process, influencing decisions across both private and shared spaces.

In the suites and cabins, soft textures, premium fabrics and calming colour palettes promote relaxation. Meanwhile, the public areas feature flexible seating arrangements designed to accommodate different group sizes and social settings without compromising comfort or elegance.

Pastore emphasised that the objective was to create interiors that are not only visually appealing but also practical and responsive to the way guests use the spaces throughout the day. The result is an environment that combines intimacy, functionality and understated luxury.

A New Chapter in a Remarkable Exploration Legacy

Following her inaugural voyage in February 2026, Aqua Lares completed her first season in East Africa before heading north to Svalbard for her inaugural Arctic season in May.

The yacht occupies a distinctive position in the expedition market, bringing together the strength and adventurous spirit of a purpose-built exploration vessel with the comfort, sophistication and personalised service associated with private luxury superyachts.

Her appeal lies in the opportunity to reach some of the world’s most remote destinations without compromising on hospitality or onboard comfort. The carefully designed interiors provide a warm and refined sanctuary, offering a striking contrast to the rugged landscapes and challenging environments encountered during her voyages.

For Hot Lab, the project represented an opportunity to build upon an established maritime legacy rather than replace it with an entirely new identity.

Antonio Romano, Commercial and Marketing Director of The Viken Group and Co-founder of Hot Lab, described the refit as an exercise in carefully enhancing the yacht’s existing strengths and aligning her interiors with the exceptional experiences she offers.

The result, he explained, is a more cohesive, comfortable and timeless environment designed to serve Aqua Lares and her guests for years to come.

With her combination of historic character, contemporary interiors and far-reaching expedition capabilities, Aqua Lares stands as a compelling example of how thoughtful design can preserve a vessel’s heritage while redefining the possibilities of luxury exploration at sea.