Senses

Senses

Bespoke Lighting for the Philippe Starck-Designed Superyacht

Senses is a 60-metre superyacht with interiors designed by Philippe Starck.

In 2020, James Russ was commissioned to create a bespoke sculptural pendant for the yacht’s dining room — an opportunity to develop one of his most enduring designs for an extraordinary international setting.

The Project

The starting point was James’ Infinity Pendant, a design he has continued to refine since first creating it in 2002.

For Senses, the familiar form was reworked specifically for the scale and character of the yacht’s interior. A specialised honey-bronze anodised aluminium finish was developed for the piece, giving the surface a warmth and depth suited to the surrounding materials.

The pendant was designed not simply as a source of light, but as a sculptural element within the dining space.

Material & Light

Advanced integrated LED technology was incorporated into the pendant, providing functional illumination while maintaining the simplicity of the form.

The result is a distinctly James Russ piece within an internationally significant Philippe Starck interior — bringing together sculptural form, material and contemporary lighting technology.

For James, the project also marked an important moment: taking a New Zealand-designed light that began in a small Auckland studio and adapting it for one of the world’s most distinctive superyachts.

Project Details

Project: Senses
Type: Bespoke superyacht lighting
Interior design: Philippe Starck
Lighting design: James Russ
Design development: Based on the Infinity Pendant
Material: Honey-bronze anodised aluminium
Light source: Custom integrated LED
Completed: 2020
Designed and developed: New Zealand

For bespoke lighting commissions and international projects, contact James Russ Studio.

Elegant dining room with a table set for a meal, overlooking water through large windows. The table has a white tablecloth, wine glasses, plates, and napkins. There are decorative items on the sideboard and modern light fixtures on the ceiling.
Aerial view of a luxury yacht anchored in calm water, showing decks with seating, a helipad with a yellow 'H', various smaller boats attached to the yacht, and a large slide at the rear.
James Russ lighting. A large white yacht anchored in deep blue ocean near a tropical island with sandy beaches and lush green trees.
James Russ lighting. A white yacht navigating near large icebergs and a glacier in a cold, icy environment, with a helicopter on the rear deck.
Modern conference room with a long wooden table, ten upholstered chairs, a large window with blind, a artwork on the wall, and a black sculptural light fixture hanging from the ceiling.
James Russ lighting. Large yacht with a helicopter on the deck and a whale surfacing nearby in the water, mountains in the background.
James Russ lighting. A large white yacht anchored near a green tropical island with clear turquoise water, under a partly cloudy sky.
James Russ Infinity Pendant. Modern dining area with a large black pendant light fixture, white marble kitchen island, and a dark wooden table set with plates, utensils, and glasses.
James Russ Infinity Pendant. Interior view of a room with a wooden sloped ceiling, black modern hanging light fixture, brick wall, and a corner with a dining table, chairs, and decorative branches in a vase.
James Russ Infinity Pendant. Close-up view of modern hanging pendant lights with black and gold interior, hanging from a white ceiling with large windows below, allowing natural light.