In October, the ribbon was cut at YOO Limassol Inspired by Starck, a beachfront development of 80 villas and 80 apartments.
The project, undertaken in collaboration with Property Gallery Developers, bears not only the name but also the unmistakable stamp of world-renowned French designer and architect Philippe Starck, who spoke to GOLD about his inspiration, his philosophy and how his neurodivergence set him on a lifelong path of creativity.
Let’s start with what brought you here. What attracted you to Cyprus for this project?
Philippe Starck: Cyprus is truly unique; a rare and extraordinary place. It is a part of the world where ancient gods were said to dwell, among whom Aphrodite, who gave it its wonderful nickname: the Island of Love. Love is the most beautiful component of our human intelligence and it is the basis of my creative vision. Nothing exists without love and it is what gave a natural direction to the YOO Limassol project.
Our role, in collaboration with Lyra Amvrosidou and the wonderful Property Gallery Developers team, was to create a contemporary Eden, a place where people feel happy, at ease and able to live and love fully. YOO Limassol is the latest YOO Inspired by Starck project to launch in 2025 but there have been many other Yoo Inspired by Starck branded projects worldwide over the last 10 years: Masa in Dubai (2023), YOO GYE in Ecuador (2023), YOO Sapphire in Colombo, Sri Lanka (2019), Khun Bangkok in Thailand (2018) and YOO Quito in Ecuador (2015).
What is the main philosophy behind your YOO Inspired by Starck projects and how would you describe the concept behind YOO Limassol?
P.S.: About 30 years ago, I was approached by John Hitchcox, an Englishman, as charming as he was persistent, who today I am proud to call my dear friend. He invited me to collaborate on the creation of an extraordinary concept aimed at changing the way we build our homes and define the way we live. By leaving behind the old and obsolete ideas of what we call home, with archaic floor plans, and by reinventing traditional architectural construction, we spent days imagining a utopia, which we called YOO – literally because it is all about you.
As a designer, I usually prefer not to interfere with personal and intimate life, but sometimes we all need a little help from a professional who can help avoid costly mistakes, such as choosing flooring, by suggesting timeless options. This is what YOO Inspired by Starck is. We created a support system for everyone who feels the need to be guided through building their home. Rather than creating architectural gestures, we focus on the impact that our projects will have on the people who live in them. We strive to create vibrant communal spaces, infused with warmth, human presence and an atmosphere that makes people feel good and invites them to dream as the story of the space unfolds. At the same time, we design timeless, high-quality private interiors that provide a platform for individuals to build their own home, their own nest, their own story.
Each YOO Inspired by Starck project is uniquely rooted in the country and the city in which it is located. For YOO Limassol, we developed ‘culture’ and ‘nature’ as the two available interior design styles. They are directly derived from Cyprus’ identity. The ‘culture’ style draws inspiration from the richness of Cypriot history and lifestyle, harmoniously blending past and present. It unites the most elegant objects and ideas of yesterday with the most remarkable designs of today. Bold and rooted in heritage, this style expresses a deep sense of history while remaining forward-looking. The ‘nature’ style reflects the purity and simplicity of the island itself, fulfilling the wish of urban dwellers to reconnect with nature in their daily lives. Through natural colours and materials, it creates a serene atmosphere. This palette is ideal for those who cherish the feeling of fresh air, blue skies and gentle sunrises.
Sustainability has become a buzzword nowadays. What does it mean for you, given that you have always striven to take an ethical and ecological approach to your projects? How do you incorporate sustainability in your designs and what does it look like in YOO Limassol?
P.S.: Sustainability and eco-responsibility have always been central to my creative approach. For me, it is essential to resist trends and fleeting fashions. Spaces or objects created around trends may impress at first but their appeal fades quickly, leaving behind wasted energy, materials and resources. Ecology is not a choice – it is a responsibility. As designers and creators of material environments, we must craft spaces and objects that are honest, high-quality and built to endure. Only then can we achieve timelessness and longevity. Therefore, the only thing that guides my creation is logic: the legitimacy of a product to exist and its ability to genuinely help people. Yet, before the product, there is a project. Before the project, there is an ethic. And before the ethic, there is a philosophy, which ultimately shapes a vision to create something ahead of its time, marked by honesty, timelessness, ergonomics, economy and, obviously, ecology.
The YOO brand has grown to include designers like Marcel Wanders, Jade Jagger, Steve Leung and Sussanne Khan. Looking back, did you expect it to become such a global success?
P.S.: I am very proud of YOO, of its original concept and of how it has developed over the last few decades. Since its creation, we have had the privilege of collaborating with many creative minds and smart developers from around the world with whom we shared a love and appreciation of good design. This proves again that the only secret to successful collaborations and projects is love, especially expressed through honesty and respect.
What were your influences growing up? Did having a father who was an aeronautical engineer have an impact on your career path and your approach to design?
P.S.: I didn’t choose design; design chose me! My father, an aeronautical engineer, created aeroplanes and numerous highly technical inventions, such as the lipstick tube opening mechanism. I grew up surrounded by this world of industrial creativity, spending my days watching him draw. Inventing has always felt completely natural; it is part of my DNA. When I started working, as a French designer in France, it was very difficult for me. Design was an Italian thing and it didn’t really exist elsewhere. I was alone and it was extremely challenging. Yet I persevered, mainly because, having been diagnosed as neurodivergent, I didn’t know how to do anything else but create. Because of this condition, I am unable to fully be part of society, to connect or even admire and thus be influenced. I never go out to dinner, never go to the movies or watch TV. I can be fascinated by things and people – great scientists in particular – but I don’t have outside influences, unless perhaps subconsciously the music I listen to and the great literature I read.
Over the past decade, branded residences have surged globally, up by around 180%. What’s driving this boom, and why now? Drawing on your experience across different markets, what would it take for Cyprus to position itself as a true hotspot for branded residences?
P.S.: I believe that more and more people are seeking meaningful experiences and a sense of adventure. They are looking for places where the adventure is real and intentional. The era of standardised hotels has come to an end. The places that will truly thrive are those shaped and run by people – small, authentic communities that welcome other small communities; places where you feel as though you are being invited into someone’s home. People need to gather, to feel connected, safe and supported, and also to be able to work and collaborate in a positive way. This means that hospitality must become highly specialised, thoughtful and personal. We are entering a time where the generalist is disappearing and the authentic, the specific, and the human is taking the lead.
This is exactly what Yoo Limassol is: a vertical village shaped by people for people, where community, comfort and authenticity come together to create a meaningful way of living.
As an inventor, creator, architect, designer and artistic director, you are behind some of the most iconic and pioneering developments and projects worldwide. What do you see as your legacy? How would you like to be remembered?
P.S.: I hope to be remembered as someone who tried to be honest and kind throughout his life. I believe that if anyone achieves that, they will have fulfilled their duty towards humanity and improved the quality of our evolution.
(Original photo of Philippe Starck by Jean-Baptiste Mondino)
This interview first appeared in the November edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
