Company Description
Ken Freivokh Design is an award-winning multi-disciplinary team renowned for creative design solutions. Their scope
of work includes yacht external styling and interior design, architecture and residential interiors, private jets and industrial design.
The design studio is based on the UK’s south coast, overlooking the river Hamble. Following years of creative work within the industry, the team has forged close ties with prominent yacht owners and shipyards. A case in point is ongoing work for clients such as Tom Perkins, who initially appointed Ken to lead the restoration and refit of the 115ft yacht Atlantide, followed by the styling and interior design of the 286ft Dynarig Clipper Maltese Falcon — the largest privately owned sailing yacht in the world. Following such projects, Tom commissioned the same design team to design and project manage his unique 5,000 sq ft 60th-floor San Francisco penthouse.
“A designer’s challenge extends beyond problem solving and achieving an efficient and beautiful solution. It involves finding a balance between visionary solutions and practicality, between futuristic concepts and existing technology, between pushing the boundaries and staying within the client’s comfort zone.”
—Ken Freivokh
List of core services:
• Interior design
• External styling
• Project management and supervision
• CAD and 3D design
Personality
Q: How did you become a superyacht designer and what or who inspired you into the industry?
I was working as a senior architect and industrial designer in London, and when graduating from a quarter-ton racing
yacht to a half-ton racing yacht, I insisted on redesigning both the interior and the exterior. The clients that followed insisted on having my version of the yacht, and the shipyard in question hired me to design its entire range of production yachts, both power and sail. These went on to win awards and led to a major commission to design the Squadron range of powerboats for Fairline. Eventually Sunseeker headhunted me as their exclusive designer for a period of more than 20 years.
Q: Of the projects you’ve worked on, which was your most challenging and why?
I guess that would be Maltese Falcon — it was a tremendous opportunity to innovate in terms of the concept, external styling, layout and interior detailing, using innovative materials to achieve original solutions. Most of the furniture was purpose designed and built. It was ground breaking and allowed me to think outside the box and propose unique solutions. It was all made possible thanks to an experienced and adventurous owner who understood what I was trying to achieve.
Q: How do you go about understanding a client and their wishes for a project?
Inevitably the answer must be to listen. It really does help if a friendship can develop — if one can spend time with the owner, his family and friends, visit his house, office, previous yacht and listen to his comments regarding other yachts. Discover what he likes and dislikes, his preferred way to relax, socialise, entertain, the nature of any intended cruising, the extent of corporate use proposed. It is essential to understand expectations before attempting to fulfill them.
