H2 Jonny Horsfield
Founded in 1994 by Jonny Horsfield, H2 Yacht Design is a London-based studio behind some of the world's largest and most influential superyachts, including the 123m Lürssen Al Lusail and the interior of the 195m REV Ocean. The studio now operates from London and Nice.
Three Decades of British Yacht Design Leadership
Jonny Horsfield co-founded H2 Yacht Design in 1994 after being made redundant during a global economic crisis. Starting with refit work in Turkey and Mallorca, Horsfield and his late partner Steve Howard built one of the most respected independent yacht design studios in the world. Mentored early by Martin Francis and later by Donald Starkey—who taught him the mechanics of interior design and the commercial realities of yachting—Horsfield has guided H2 through over 30 years of continuous operation. In 2024, the studio expanded with a new office in Nice, France, recognizing that the epicenter of yachting had shifted from London to the Mediterranean.
Defining Projects: From Talisman to Al Lusail and REV Ocean
Horsfield's career breakthrough came with the 54m Talisman (now Talisman Maiton) at Proteksan Turquoise in 2006. This success forged a lasting partnership with Turquoise Yachts—now totaling 13 projects—and with Bilgin, where H2 has completed 10 yachts. The studio's crowning achievement to date is the 123m Lürssen Al Lusail, a project Horsfield cites as the moment he felt H2 had 'finally reached a level' with the world's most prestigious shipyard. Simultaneously, H2 is designing the interior of the 195m REV Ocean, soon to be the world's largest superyacht. This interior, described as 'industrial chic', deliberately rejects traditional superyacht finishes in favor of concrete panels, stone, and metal—honoring the vessel's commercial expedition heritage.
Portfolio Breadth and Philosophy
While approximately 80% of H2's business is interior design, Horsfield's training in automotive design keeps him deeply engaged with exteriors. The studio's sweet spot is 60–90m custom yachts, though they also design semi-production models like Damen Yachting's SeaXplorer 60. Horsfield observes that the least provocative designs—such as the 77m Go (Turquoise, 2018)—often resonate more broadly with conservative clients than radical statements. His interior for Bilgin's 80m Tatiana generated four subsequent commissions, proving that thoughtful, timeless design drives commercial success. Beyond yachting, H2 undertakes residential projects for yacht clients, including a villa in Lugano and a New York apartmen.
