Blue Sky Design

words LAURA INGRAM

The coolest concepts pushing the limits of yacht design

CONCEPT is more outrageous than the next.

As the yachting industry continues to innovate, its designers are conceptualizing increasingly extreme designs that test the boundaries of possibility. With each concept more outrageous than the next, we’ve scoured the seas to highlight six of the most jaw-dropping designs making ripples in yachting today.

AEOLUS

A concept from Oceanco that’s mak ing waves across the industry is Aeolus. Named after the Greek god of the wind, the 430-foot superyacht stands out with her “sculpted” design and innovative “green” technology. From the exterior, she is sleek and dynamic, with elegant curves that are reflected throughout her contemporary interior, penned by British studio Njord by Bergman Design House, which kitted her out mostly in eco-friendly biomaterials. In the engine room, Aeolus continues to dazzle with efficient, sustainability-driven NXT technology. If there ever was a sign of things to come at the Dutch shipyard, this is it.

DOUBLE LUCK

Oceanco is known for crafting innovative sailing yachts such as Black Pearl, which remains one of the most iconic builds of all time. Now, the Dutch yard is hoping to repeat history with its newest concept, Double Luck. Penned in collaboration with Barcelona-based studio Lobanov Design, the 88-meter (289-foot) sailing yacht gives a nod to the “lucky” number eight in Chinese numerology. It features a distinctive profile inspired by classic British car design and two giant masts operated by a sailing system that can be handled by one crew member. Other highlights include a two-deck “zen” garden, a large aft deck pool, and folding balconies.

STARDOM

Greek designer Theodoros Fotiadis is not shy of a wild concept. His latest, Stardom, builds on modern trends and makes the beach club the star of the show. The 330-foot-long superyacht has been designed with a giant beam of 130 feet, making the full-beam, two-tier beach club one of the most expansive ever seen. Set across two decks at the stern, it comprises a glass-bottom pool which follows over a lower lounge, an open sunbathing area and swim platform, and dual folddown wings to expand the space further. Stardom also houses a huge owner’s deck with a private gym and spa, two generous VIP suites, and myriad facilities to entertain families of all ages, from a kids’ play area to an open-air cinema and a disco.

THE 88-METER (289-FOOT)

SAILING YACHT GIVES A NOD to the "lucky" number eight in Chinese numerology.

POETRY

Another concept that puts its beach club front and center is Poetry by Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. The 424-foot superyacht’s main aft deck feels like it’s neverending an expansive spa and lounge lead into a relaxation area with a seawater infinity pool, which descends into a bar and sunbathing space, and finally a swim and tender platform. From some angles, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re looking at a high-end, modern villa, which is exactly what designer Sander Sinot was trying to achieve with this “home on the water”. The contemporary façade is reflected insi de, where you can find a private owner’s deck and an openplan layout with each space flooded with light.

Slice pushes the concept further, turning the inside out with a giant skylight that “slices” through the center of the yacht, flooding light into every deck.

SLICE

Light is the leading theme of Slice, one of the most innovative concepts released by Feadship in recent months. While the first generation of yachts were relatively enclosed, shielding owners from the outside works, modern yachts tend to favor large windows to maximize natural light and views. Slice pushes the concept

further, turning the inside out with a giant skylight that “slices” through the center of the yacht, flooding light into every deck. It’s a work of engineering genius and could be a revolutionary solution to getting natural light into the heart of yachts an ongoing struggle for designers as they get larger and larger.

Stand-out features include a curved beach club, futuristic interiors, and massive inflatable sails.

AMPLITUDE

When designing a new build, the first question owners are asked is: do they want a motor yacht or a sailing yacht? With benefits to each, Anthony Glasson of Hong Kong-based studio M51 Concepts gives owners the option to blend both with his 311-foot concept design Amplitude. She’s designed with the sleek aesthetic of a superyacht and yet can be transformed into a motor sailor thanks to two inflatable wing sails. Other standout features include a curved beach club on the aft and futuristic interiors, which feature sci-fiinspired design touches, an immersive cinema room, and skylights.