Questions,
answered
The things owners and prospective students ask us most, before the first conversation.
How long does a Nau·Lab project take?
It depends on scope. A full-design new build typically runs two to four years from first sketch to sea trial, largely dictated by the shipyard's build schedule. An interior refit can be as fast as six to twelve weeks for a focused scope, or six to nine months for a full reimagining.
How does your design process actually work?
Every commission starts with a conversation about how you intend to live at sea, not a mood board. From there we move through naval architecture, exterior styling, interior atelier work, and visualization — as one continuous process, not separate handoffs between departments. See our Studio page for the full breakdown.
Do you only take new builds, or refits too?
Both. Roughly half of our commissions are interior refits on existing yachts — often on a tight charter-season deadline — and we bring the same rigor to a six-week refit as we do to a five-year new build.
Do I need to already have a shipyard?
No. We regularly recommend and coordinate with shipyard partners appropriate to your project's size and build region, and we're equally comfortable working alongside a yard you've already chosen.
What does a Nau·Lab commission cost?
It varies enormously by scope — a single-deck interior refit and a 90-metre full design sit at very different ends of the scale. Tell us about your project through the contact form and a principal will discuss budget with you directly within two working days.
Do you take on projects outside Monaco, Auckland, or Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — those are our three studios, not a limit on where we work. We've delivered projects across Europe, the Pacific, and the Americas.
Can I hire you for just exterior or just interior design?
Yes. Exterior design, interior design, and visualization are offered as standalone services as well as a full-design package — see our Services page for what each includes.
Can I see the design before construction starts?
Yes — this is central to how we work. Our in-house visualization team builds every yacht in photoreal detail first, including VR walkthroughs, so materials, lighting, and layout are approved before a shipyard order is placed.
What is Nau·Lab Courses?
A set of structured training packages drawn from our real projects — exterior design, interior atelier work, and visualization, taught the way we actually practice them. It's built for designers and students who want to learn our specific process, not generic theory.
How do I enroll in an Academy package, and how does payment work?
Create a free account, then enroll in a package from the Academy page. A member of our team will follow up directly with next steps and payment details.
What's the referral code for?
Every member gets a personal referral code from their account page. Share it with friends — when they sign up using it, it's recorded against your name in our records.
How do I start a project?
Through the contact form — tell us about the vessel, and a principal will reply within two working days. It starts as a conversation, not a proposal.
