Sanlorenzo SL90A

Sinuous and elegant, this yacht forms part of Sanlorenzo’s range of asymmetrical models. With a length of 27.6o metres it offers some surprising, spacious and versatile layouts, like the saloon overlooking the sea. Interior and exterior design are by Zuccon International Project

by Paola Bertelli - ph. Thomas Pagani

he first example of the SL90A range, this successful 27.60 model from the flybridge line - eleven have been launched so far – is based on the asymmetry concept introduced by Sanlorenzo, now applied for the first time to a yacht below thirty metres in length. Interior and exterior design was developed by the Zuccon International Project, creating a visually coherent yacht laid out over six decks, hosting six guests in three cabins on the lower deck and the owner and partner in the main deck suite. The asymmetrical layout, obtained by eliminating the port walkway on the main deck and siting it on the superstructure roof, enables spaces to be redesigned to create greater comfort and convenience by providing extra square metres of interior space and a new exterior viewpoint.

In true Sanlorenzo tradition, the external lines are streamlined and sober. Seen from outside the technical glass one-way windows integrated into the sides are the same colour as the hull livery, allowing light to flood the interiors without compromising the yacht’s clean lines. The interior decor features a warm, sophisticated colour palette with no jarring contrasts. The Canaletto walnut used for structural furnishings, walls and flooring provides a unifying theme, while the other elements create a play of greys - leathers with different grains, fabrics, metals and metallic paint. Solutions like the irregular combination on some walls of walnut laths and mirrors create a pleasing sense of movement and in the owner’s suite, together with other vertical elements – the leather bedhead, for example - generate the sensation that the space is higher than it really is. For this type of yacht the Sanlorenzo yard offers total customisation of the decor. “The owner of the SL90A no.1”, says Mimo Stelitano, Interior Design Manager at Sanlorenzo, “introduced only a few functional details, as well as some reflecting his personal tastes. We integrated them into the overall concept”. For example, as the owner will spend long periods on board he has added some storage units and wanted to personalise the saloon by mounting a large photo that means a lot to him on the sliding panel that conceals the TV. He has modified the fly deck furniture – he has replaced the classic formal chairs around the table with a sofa and to aft there is modular seating that can be transformed from sofa to sunpad. As a result this lovely terrace, with glass railings permitting an uninterrupted view of the sea, can be enjoyed throughout the day.

“The concepts of transformability and use of the spaces”, says Stelitano, “are also being developed on quite sizeable yachts like this 27-metre model. People are beginning to prefer flexible solutions to areas with a limited function”. This is also evident in the saloon interior, where the adjustable height dining table becomes part of the conversation zone, eliminating the classic separation between the two areas. “We know the interior dining room is not used very often, so we chose a solution that retains this area but integrates it into the saloon”.

The idea of “asymmetry” has enabled the yard to maximise the interior space in the saloon and owner’s suite and provide the suite with direct access to the outside. It has also transformed flows to the exterior – the starboard main deck walkway has been retained, while to port a staircase links the cockpit to the fly deck walkway that leads to main deck forward area.

“It took some time for our clients to give their whole-hearted approval to this concept. It’s not easy to explain on paper. The owner of SL90A no.1, already the owner of a traditional yacht, understood the great potential of this 27-metre model when he visited its sister, the SL96A”.

www.sanlorenzoyacht.com

The SL90A has a fibreglass hull and deck with superstructure in composite with carbon fibre.

Opening, the main deck saloon with dining table looking out onto the sea, facing the conversation area with Minotti sofas and Living Divani coffee table

The owner’s suite (this page) is furnished with custom pieces, apart from the Minotti chair in the study. Dark pietra d’Avola surfaces in the bathroom. The striking suede bedhead also includes vertical rounded elements with circular sections. To side, above, adjustable teak and steel coffee tables and B&B chairs in the cockpit. Below, the fly deck with dining area and B&B modular seating

TheSL90A is intended as the entry level model for the asymmetric line. Given the task of developing the content and stylistic concepts of the asymmetric line in a smaller package we sought to create a harmonious relationship between the volumes, heights and lines while retaining the generous interior space that asymmetry provides.

The SL90A contains elements, stylistic traits, that formed part of the first Sanlorenzo builds. It’s an interesting aspect of the design, because brand identity is a crucial part of any design. The yacht targets a multicultural market, so the look must be clear and recognisable, enabling owners to identify with the DNA of his or her chosen brand. The decision to include an RPH (Raised Pilot House), which generates constraints in the relationship between the skyline and the height/

Exterior Design

Bernardo Zuccon, Zuccon International Project

superstructure proportions, and between the bow and stern profiles and the hull height, made the project even more challenging. However, it also gave the yacht greater aesthetic appeal, because when a dimensional equilibrium has been found, it means that at this level, the design is complete. Asymmetry has also led to some very clear rules for managing spaces, optimising the interior space on the port side and freeign up interior functionality on the starboard side, because this is where we have sited the exterior fore-aft walkway.

Of all the yachts in the asymmetric line I think the SL90A is the most successful. When I first took on this project I assessed the problem and made sure that this challenge would create a real opportunity. My favourite area is the bows, where as well as a scenic sunpad there’s also a forward-facing sofa near the mooring area. As a romantic I love imagining displacement sailing at sunset and watching the horizon stretching away in front of me.

The aerial shot above highlights the open-air area. There are two exterior lounges forward, one on the flybridge (left) with sunpad integrated into the structure, and one on the main deck accessed directly from the owner’s suite. Top, the lifting deck is the water-level living area. When lowered it facilitates access to the sea and tender launch and recovery operations. The tender is stored in a garage aft

Sober and elegant, the profile displays exceptional balance between volumes, sleek lines, vertical elements height and empty and full spaces. The oneway windows of the owner’s suite. From the outside the technical glass reproduces the colours of the hull livery, creating an exceptionally clean look while allowing light to flood the interiors

Interior Design

Bernardo Zuccon

Theopportunity to work on an all-round project where we handle interiors and exteriors is an added value, we can take a global approach to the task. As for the choice of decor, as the yacht is intended for a multicultural market we tried to define an image that is adaptable to a wide variety of tastes, a design that’s sophisticated but with no over-the-top elements. The on-board style is an attractive mix of classic and contemporary. We introduced the idea of balance into every aspect of the work. The materials choice is pretty straightforward, we worked on extremely limited contrasts, there’s no information overload in the presentation. The client also wanted the day area to feature a very special painting that stamps its authority on the entire interior while also giving it an identity the client can identify with. As we were given the opportunity to work on exteriors and interiors, the yacht’s layout became a crucial factor. Our intention for this model was to create the impression almost of an open-space design, where the need to prevent the movements of guest and crew from intersecting can still be controlled – when you increase the dimensions there’s a desire to separate the two flows completely. This allowed us to create an architecture that almost echoes the typical loft image. The main challenge presented by this project was the great spatial complexity we had to deal with. We approached this by creating an extremely structured space that operates on several levels, embodying a theme of dual heights. The owner’s cabin, for example, works on three levels – the cabin level, a lower one with the bathroom and a third, even lower level for the dressing room. This spatial sophistication created a series of complexities we had to manage, but in the end we created something that appears complex but in reality is extremely harmonious.

The unifying stylistic theme in the interiors is the use of Canaletto walnut for the structural furnishings, walls and floors. Some units (shown here, wall lockers) and walls feature irregular walnut laths and mirrors creating a random design with a pleasing impression of movement. To side, bottom, the striking full-height space created by the partly open raised pilot house. Above, the interior dining area

With a length of 27.60 metres and a 6.5-metre beam, the yacht is powered by two MAN 2,000 HP engines providing a top speed of 29 knots and a cruising speed of 25 knots

The Shipyard

Tommaso Vincenzi, Yacht Division President

Revolutionary, smart, elegant, the SL90A is designed for owners with a heightened awareness of their relationship with the sea, seeking open, light-filled spaces where they can relax and feel at home amid the waves. It has an asymmetric layout that expands the main deck saloon and enables the presence of full-height side windows. On the port side these have a direct view over the sea. The large windows are a distinctive feature of the SL90A: from the exterior, on the port side they reproduce the colour of the hull livery, creating an intriguing continuity from the water line to the flying bridge. The distance from the sea on the SL90A is shorter, making the design complexity a unique opportunity. I’m very proud to have succeeded in revolutionising the conventional yacht layout, also below 30 metres in length, proposing an innovative solution that has successfully reinterpreted the concepts of functionality, comfort and beauty. My favourite areas on the yacht are the main deck saloon, which is without doubt a bright, pleasant space, and the large full-beam sunpad integrated into the superstructure. These areas link the flybridge and the bow area. We at Sanlorenzo believe strongly that introducing real innovations onto the market demands courage and daring. The concept of asymmetry derives from a desire to break free of the conventions of what has always been a rather static, traditionalist industry. We wanted to dare, to undermine preconceptions and we’ve shown that it’s possible to remain faithful to traditions and our DNA while breaking free of these restrictions. The asymmetrical layout of the yachts is proving to be a wonderful plus point, as it enabled us to reclaim ten square metres of indoor area, enhance communication with the exterior and maximise the relationship with the sea. This emphasises the connection between exterior and interior and has attracted great acclaim. The decision to develop asymmetry is something we’d like to apply in the future on smaller craft and yachts with upper decks on which we can apply it in reverse.