From superyachts to Monaco’s skyline, Laura Sessa has left her design mark across all spheres. We meet the architect behind some of the world’s most refined interiors.
In the rarefied realm of luxury design, Laura Sessa stands as a quiet yet powerful force. Renowned for her meticulous attention to detail and innate sense of balance, Sessa has carved out a niche, adapting her vision to create exceptional spaces across land, sea and sky.
The Greece-born, Italy-based architect’s journey into yacht design was never planned—it unfolded organically. “I studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and got involved in the yacht design industry almost by chance during my academic years,” she recalls. “Over time, it gradually became my main professional focus.”
After training with the Italian yacht design studio Giorgetti & Magrini, Sessa’s career flourished alongside the late Alberto Pinto, the legendary designer with whom she collaborated on yacht projects. Together, they created interiors for vessels built by some of the world’s leading shipyards, including Lürssen and Oceanco, earning a reputation for impeccable quality and careful craftsmanship.
Charting a New Course
In 2000, Sessa founded her eponymous studio in the countryside just outside Rome, with a clear mission: to create bespoke interiors for yachts. As her relationships with her clientele deepened, however, her role expanded. “Many of my clients, pleased with their floating homes, asked me to bring the same sense of style and detail into their residences and private jets,” Sessa explains. This approach has since extended to projects across the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
At the heart of her practice is a precise, almost methodical meticulousness. “I strive to design as much custom furniture as possible, choosing only iconic pieces or works by artists when sourcing from the market,” she explains. “For me, exclusivity isn’t about excess—it’s about balance. True luxury lives at the intersection of uniqueness, comfort, practicality and harmony.”
Two of her most distinctive projects at sea are Madame Kate and CC-Summer, both of which reflect the personality and cultural influences of their owners. “Each yacht has a unique aesthetic, captured through colour palettes that subtly echo their countries of origin,” she says. While different in mood and material, both vessels demonstrate the same design ethos—timeless, refined and quietly confident. “We call it Sessa Chic,” she adds.
A Landmark in Luxury Living
One of her most ambitious projects to date is Bay House, a residential complex in Monaco that forms part of the Testimonio II development, where Sessa designed 56 apartments. “From initial sketches to final delivery, it spanned over 10 years—a true marathon of design,” she says. The challenge was to craft a consistent visual language that could appeal to a wide range of residents. “We standardised the essentials—bathrooms, kitchens, wardrobe and surface finishes—to ensure quality and cohesion across all units. Individuality comes through in the loose furnishings, allowing each resident to add their own flair.”
But Sessa didn’t stop at the apartment interiors. “I curated every shared space—from the lobbies and elevators to the spa—so that the building speaks a single, harmonious design language,” she says. “Nothing was left to chance. Every detail was considered, right down to the elevator buttons and stairwell signage.” The crown jewels of the development are five exclusive rooftop villas, each uniquely tailored to become a “personal sanctuary in the sky”.
When asked what sets Bay House apart from other developments in Monaco, she says: “I believe the difference lies in the invisible things —the quality you feel, the details you might not consciously notice but would miss if they weren’t there. It’s that quiet luxury, a signature of all my projects, that makes it truly stand out.”
Redefining Elegance at Sea
Another recent project is Sessa’s design for Amels’ new 60 m yacht line. Her collaboration with the Dutch shipyard spans more than two decades and over 20 yachts, particularly within their 55 m and 60 m semi-custom series. For this latest evolution, she proposed a refined new approach to the interiors. “I was inspired by a fashion designer who was also an architect—someone whose work I’ve always admired,” she says.
The concept started with a black-and-white foundation, creating a timeless base that could be adapted depending on the owner’s preferences. “The beauty of this design lies in its flexibility. The monochrome palette can be softened with subtle tones or replaced with alternative wood finishes. It gives clients room to personalise.”
What makes the project sing is not a single feature but the way every element has been intentionally considered. “From the design of the handles and the mechanisms behind the furniture doors to the lines of the sofas and chairs—every part was crafted with purpose,” she says. “This isn’t just interior design; it’s a dedication to creating a seamless, immersive experience on the water.”
Blending Two Worlds
Working across land and sea has offered its own set of challenges and rewards. “I began with sailing yachts, where every inch counts, and quickly learned the art of maximising space without compromising elegance or function,” Sessa says. That training continues to shape how she approaches residential design. “Blending the two worlds has given me a broader perspective.”
She also credits her clients for keeping the work fresh. “Working with people from all over the world—each bringing their own culture, habits and expectations—has created a rich, dynamic design journey. It’s in this mix of precision, flexibility and curiosity that I’ve found my signature.”
Looking ahead, Sessa hints at what’s to come. “We’re currently involved in some very large-scale projects—truly ambitious in scope and vision,” she says. While the details remain under wraps, there’s a sense that these new ventures will continue to build on her established principles: subtle elegance, deep attention to detail and a belief that luxury is most powerful when it’s felt rather than shown.
