In Profile:
OLT Design LLC

Name: TETIANA OLIINYK

Company Name: OLT DESIGN LLC

Position Within Company: Founder and Chief Architect

Website: https://oltdesign.com/

Tell us a little about your background in the sector:
Being an architect is like stepping into different roles on the stage of life.
Designing a hospital? You’re both the doctor in a white coat and the patient in recovery. A school? You become the student with a notebook, the teacher with a pointer, and the parents waiting anxiously by the door. A restaurant? You’re the chef, the waiter, and the pickiest guest. And when it’s a villa? For a moment, you’re the owner—or perhaps a friend, invited for the weekend.

I don’t think I chose architecture; it feels like architecture chose me.

I grew up in a family where my father, an architect and a builder, instilled in me a sense of craftsmanship, responsibility, creativity, and practical knowledge. After high school, I was curious about everything. I explored different career paths but realized I was drawn to something creative, something that could weave together all aspects of life. For me, that was architecture and design.

After earning my postgraduate degree at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, I began teaching architectural design there. Teaching constantly challenges me to think outside the box and stay ahead of the curve.

Today, I am the founder and chief architect of OLT DESIGN, where we create luxury projects around the world. Not long ago, we shifted our focus to yachts. Before that, we designed expansive, luxurious villas, including projects on the Palm Jumeirah. Now, our challenge is to transform the essence of a grand, elegant villa into the confined space of a superyacht.

How would you describe your design ethos?
My approach to design is a creative and analytical process that combines experience, intuition, and a deep understanding of the client’s needs.

Over the years of working in the luxury segment, I’ve realized that while the demands for bespoke homes and yachts often share common traits, every client is a unique world with their own tastes, interests, and aspirations. My role is to uncover the subtle, often hidden details: a person’s lifestyle, unspoken desires, even their habits. I also strive to envision as many life scenarios as possible for our clients and translate them into tangible interior solutions.

I don’t limit myself to a single direction and create spaces in various styles — from classic to ultra-modern. What I especially enjoy is blending elements from different eras to craft interiors that are as multifaceted as the people they’re designed for.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
For me, inspiration isn’t something that may or may not appear.
Having inspiration is part of my job, and it comes naturally as soon as a new challenge arises. Often, the clients themselves are the source of inspiration: they share what they like, how they live, and what they hope to achieve. Sometimes it’s enough for me to sense their way of life, hear how they speak, or notice the styles they prefer in clothing, and I’m ready to create something unique. This, of course, applies to private residences.

When working on commercial projects, I dive into research, analyze similar cases, explore the environment, and study trends. During this preparatory phase, ideas begin to take shape. For me, inspiration is always a search—but it’s a search that brings satisfaction.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Design today is moving towards simplicity with deep meaning, individuality, and boldness. People are tired of clichés and want their spaces to reflect their personality rather than just follow trends.

It’s also evident that design is becoming less “loud.” The focus is shifting to the person, not the objects. Good design is the kind that makes life easier and more enjoyable, even if it doesn’t immediately catch the eye. And that’s inspiring, because this approach is what truly makes the world a better place.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future. 
Emotionality, adaptability, technology, uniqueness, and silence.

We live in a world where functionality no longer surprises anyone. The next level is creating spaces that evoke emotions: joy, inspiration, even a touch of nostalgia. Beyond that, design must be flexible and adapt to all the scenarios of a person’s life. One of the most relevant challenges today is creating quiet spaces for pause, rest, and inner peace, as modern cities are saturated with noise—visual, informational, and auditory.

Thanks to technology, particularly artificial intelligence, the design process has become faster, but its essence remains unchanged: thinking is still the human’s role. After all, true uniqueness lies in imperfection. Perfection quickly becomes tiresome because it doesn’t feel alive.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?
Design isn’t the art of filling a space but the craft of leaving room for life.
So think about people, not trends.

How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
International awards for yachts are more than just recognition.
They’re like a compass in open waters: they reassure you that you’re heading in the right direction while reminding you there are many exciting routes ahead. Awards inspire you to take risks and innovate, but they also challenge you to maintain high standards. After all, the goal isn’t simply to win an award, but to ensure it finds you again next time.

What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently working on several private home projects and a restaurant in the United States. We are finalizing a penthouse in Austria and starting a project for a complex of floating villas. In 2024, we completed the Amels 6005 project and have now begun collaborating with other shipyards on interior design.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
My favorite project has been the interior design of the Amels 6005 yacht. The interior exudes a timeless elegance, featuring a warm color palette inspired by Italian landscapes. Although the project is under an NDA and I cannot disclose specifics, it left a lasting impression on me, resembling a masterfully crafted mosaic that harmoniously merged all its elements into a cohesive whole.

The work spanned three years and was guided by clear deadlines that served not as constraints, but as a framework that set the pace. With each completed phase, there was a sense that another piece of the grand picture was falling into place. Ultimately, the project not only exceeded expectations but also exemplified how collaborative effort and attention to detail can transform an idea into perfection.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
For me, the most challenging projects always turn out to be the most fascinating.
The difficulty usually comes from tight deadlines or highly unconventional tasks. But it’s these very challenges that captivate me: they add motivation, keep me on edge, and push me to find creative solutions. It’s a process you fully immerse yourself in because every stage reveals something new.

One such project was the renovation of a villa on Palm Jumeirah. We had approximately three months for on-site work during the hottest season of the year and two months for preparation and ordering materials. It was an extensive scope of work, covering both the exterior and interior. Yet everything was completed within the set timeframe, and the results exceeded all the client’s expectations. A complex challenge turned into an incredible experience.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
We can’t imagine our projects without custom solutions tailored to specific concepts. These are interior elements that make a space unique and unforgettable. It’s crucial for such pieces to be not only visually striking but also impeccably crafted, which is why we choose

partners capable of bringing even the boldest ideas to life. Yacht interiors, in particular, rely on bespoke solutions, and given the ultra-luxury segment, it’s especially important to us how our ideas are executed. In our recent 60-meter yacht project, for example, we collaborated with the Austrian company List GC and were truly impressed by their approach and results.

In our projects, materials play a vital role, especially natural stone varieties like marble, onyx, quartz, and agglomerates, as well as wood. For these, we work with leading quarries and manufacturers specializing in their processing.

As for furniture brands with ready-made designs for residential interiors, we prefer names like Minotti, Poliform, Molteni, Visionnaire, and others. They offer stylish, high-quality solutions perfect for premium projects.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Our goals for the next 12 months?
We believe it’s better to talk about them once they’ve turned into results. Success loves silence, so for now, we’re hard at work…

Final Thoughts:

Your most treasured possession?
My most valuable asset is my family, and my most treasured property is my home.
They are my sources of inspiration and the environment where I recharge, relax, and regain strength.

Your favourite holiday destination?
I travel a lot, mostly for work.
That’s why I enjoy relaxing at home with my family in our country house, spending time with friends, and hosting small barbecue parties.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel: Choosing a single favorite hotel is difficult. For work, I prefer business hotels that are convenient for meetings. For family vacations, I gravitate towards places with character, such as boutique hotels in the mountains at ski resorts, InterContinental in Danang surrounded by lush greenery, or Four Seasons in Florence, with its park, sculptures, and distinctive Italian charm.
Restaurant: As for restaurants… La Maison Blanche captivates me with its “floating above Paris” atmosphere and a cuisine that masterfully blends refined classics with bold modernity.
Bar: I don’t drink alcohol, so I rarely visit bars. However, Galaxy Bar in Dubai left an impression with its atmosphere and the energy of the moment.

Your favourite book, film & song?
Book:Recently, I was deeply impressed by the book The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
—a profound and refined novel where philosophy, beauty, and life’s wisdom intertwine.
Film: When it comes to films, I’m drawn to those that make you think faster than the plot unfolds. For example, Inception or Interstellar by Christopher Nolan, or Catch Me If You Can by Steven Spielberg. One of the most impactful films I’ve seen recently is Interview with God, directed by Perry Lang. It’s the kind of story that leaves you with more questions than answers, prompting reflection on what truly matters.

Your favourite food and drink?
Food: My favorite dish is barbecued vegetables, especially tomatoes. But there’s a catch: they have to be made by my husband. For some reason, he cooks them so perfectly that even the best restaurants would be envious.
Drink: As for my favorite drink, it’s mint tea. A simple thing, but it’s perfect for unwinding after a busy day. Plus, it’s a drink for all seasons: warming in winter and refreshing in summer.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
I enjoy combining work during the day with active leisure in the evening, like a bike ride, tennis, or swimming. Work, for me, is also a kind of entertainment, so it’s an essential part of my “perfect day.”

If you weren’t in this sector, what would you alternative profession be?
If I weren’t an architect-designer, I’d probably choose a role that involves exploring something new—perhaps journalism? Architecture and design constantly push me to study everything around me, and that’s something I find both important and invaluable.

Interior Designer: Tetiana Oliinyk