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Artefact – Nobiskrug’s 80m Artefact is not only a new build, but a platform for innovation
ARTEFACT
NOBISKRUG’S 80M ARTEFACT IS NOT ONLY A NEW BUILD, BUT A PLATFORM FOR INNOVATION
FLANKED BY A STRIKING GLASS FAÇADE, ARTEFACT MAKES A BOLD AND RADICAL ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF NOBISKRUG. M uch has been written about the arresting design of 80m superyacht Artefact. She is the latest delivery to come from German shipyard Nobiskrug, whose most notable build to date is 143m Sailing Yacht A. Exterior designed by British designer Gregory C. Marshall, Artefact continues the yard’s reputation for building custom designs that are both seagoing and innovative. From the beginning of the project, the owner’s intention was three-fold. To prove that beautiful man-made objects can complement the natural environment in which they inhabit, to set new standards for environmental stewardship within yachting, and to enhance comfort at sea for guests.
SPECS
Builder Naval architecture Interior designer Exterior designer
Hull Superstructure Length Beam overall Draft Displacement Guests Crew
Nobiskrug Nobiskrug Reymond Langton Design Gregory C. Marshall
Steel Aluminium 80m 14.7 m 4.1 m 2,990 GT 16 guests 24 crew
Technical aesthetics Artefact is both high-tech and aesthetically pleasing in its realisation of the owner’s brief, who is both an engineer and accomplished entrepreneur. “The owner wanted to minimise emissions and the impact to the environment while furthering the state of the art through the use of cuttingedge technologies that can be deployed across all classes of vessels to promote cleaner seas and dramatically improved fuel efficiency”, states a Nobiskrug press release. Regarded as a platform for innovation, Artefact has been designed to try and reshape the future of yachting by showcasing state-of-the-art technology and innovative power and performance opportunities. This is exemplified by the digital power management, azimuthing pods with dynamic positioning and full digital automation that can be found on board.
Environmentally conscious Drawing upon its 100-plus years of maritime history, Nobiskrug has packed a wealth of ecofocused features on board that aim to “set new standards for engineering-driven stewardship”. Its hybrid propulsion helps to reduce the yacht’s >>
Artefact is both high-tech and aesthetically pleasing in its realisation of the owner’s brief.
fuel emissions – one of the owner’s key requirements – but the advanced DC bus digital power management system allows the vessel to fully integrate multiple sources of power from solar cells, variable-speed generators, and lithium batteries, as well as potential future technologies, such as fuel cells. What this means is that Artefact can travel short distances on just its batteries alone; quite some feat for an 80m yacht. It also features dual azimuthing pods that enable dynamic positioning to hold the boat in place without dropping anchor, therefore protecting sensitive seafloors and marine ecosystems. Artefact’s wastewater systems also allow reuse in technical operations to further reduce
impacts, and in a climate where yacht regulations are tightening up, Artefact was also the first superyacht to conform to IMO Tier-III emissions standards.
Integrated interiors
Little has been released about the details of Artefact’s Reymond Langton Design interior, save the fact the layout and design fully integrate with the distinctive window shapes to create a holistic guest experience. An incredible 750m 2 of glass, weighing 60 tons, run down the sides of the yacht, defining the boat in profile. That amount of glass is a yachting first, and it didn’t come without its fair share of challenges with regards to weight, solar heat gain, optical properties and reflections of sound and noise. Noise and vibration management specifications far exceed industry standards. But the result is that Artefact’s “acoustic signature” sits in harmony with its design. Not to mention each guest cabin is flooded with natural light, as are the main entertaining spaces, providing a clear connection to the outdoor marine environment and a view of the far-reaching horizon, and beyond. Commenting on its 2020 delivery, Nobiskrug states: “Artefact proves to be the perfect marriage of art and science through ground-breaking architectural design and innovative engineering.”
