Abeking & Rasmussen SOARING

Abeking & Rasmussen SOARING

Ironically delivered just after Europe’s lockdown began to bite, this 68m embodies her free-spirited owner’s love of nature and wide open spaces as well as proving Abeking & Rasmussen’s ability to work under extreme pressure

by Mary Hegarty ph. courtesy of Abeking & Rasmussen 39

“A

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bout two weeks before the superyacht was to be

with direct access to the swim platform is where everyone will want

handed over, half of Europe went into lockdown,”

to be. Teak flooring and glossy eucalyptus and silver wall panelling

Abeking & Rasmussen Senior Project Manager Jorg

set the tone as guests enjoy spinning, rowing, treadmill, ballet barre,

Klaymann grimaces as he recalls the final phase of

refreshments, a hammam, massages, and even yoga classes. Kayaks,

the 68m Soaring’s build. “It was simultaneously an extremely challen-

surfboards, sea bobs, bikes, electric scooters and diving equipment

ging time and a bold demonstration of Abeking & Rasmussen’s flexibili-

are all available too. Up on the main deck, the 80 sqm saloon is divi-

ty and efficiency, under even the harshest of conditions.” Soaring was

ded into a lounge area aft with handcrafted furnishings and a dining

commissioned by an expert owner with a deep, abiding love of nature

area forward separated by a ceiling-high room divider with TV. Port

who wanted her to embody a sense of wide open spaces and free-

and starboard panels feature constellations that have a personal

spiritedness. Even her name references the glorious flight of the eagle.

meaning for the owner, while genuine piece of meteorite continues

On a more technical level, his brief included a separate owner’s deck

the cosmic theme. Stained Amara wood and Lugano-coloured Italian

with a large aft-facing master suite, huge tenders (a 7.5m Compass

leather are the main materials used. Two stylised bronze hippos by

Sport and 9m limousine), and a gym and wellness centre with direct

sculptor Claus Hartmann add an eye-catching touch too. The three

access to the water. Focus Yacht Design won the pitch with a highly

20 sqm double guest staterooms and one twin all have different

distinctive, seamlessly harmonious contemporary interior with great

themes - Nautilus, Ginkgo, Turtle and Bamboo – reflected in the

swathes of glazing, a chic grey-white colour scheme, and a striking

headrests of the beds. The upper aft deck is devoted almost entirely

signature line sweeping from bow to swim platform. “Our goal was not

to the owner. A rather stately 82 sqm suite aft is accessed via an 11

to put together a selection of attractive details, but to create a coherent,

sqm office. Minimal furnishings and an eagle headrest underscore

harmonious whole that was imposing but most of all a representation

Soaring’s concept of free spiritedness. Sliding doors open onto a

of the owner’s central life themes and requests,” designer Thomas

completely private deck space too. On sunny days and starlit nights

Mühe explains. The beautifully finished 471 sqm interior features two

alike, the topmost bridge deck will be a magnet for guests too, thanks

main types wood, Amara and Tiama, natural stone, and Italian leather.

to a Jacuzzi with a 3m diameter, a bar and sun pad, and even a BBQ.

However, Soaring’s stunning 74 sqm beach club and wellness centre

A truly Soaring achievement...

www.abeking.com

Opposite page, the owner’s suite and private terrace take up most of the aft upper deck. This page, above and below, the 80m saloon on the main deck is split in two by a floor-to-ceiling divider trimmed with bronze tiles and with a TV inset on the lounge side

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Far left, the aft area of the bridge deck features a huge whirlpool with a diameter of 3 metres as well as ultra-inviting sun pads. Near left, the wellness area on the lower deck. Below, the theme of the luxurious 33 sqm VIP stateroom is water lilies as evidenced by the artistic headrest

The designer’s point of wiew “What is good design? There are, as there have always been, different opinions on this. The Focus Yacht Design office developed its very own design definition. We are less interested in the questions of materiality, of forms, colours and fashions. We work primarily with the interpretation and the character of a yacht, seen as a singularity, an essence and also as a reflection of the owner’spersonality. This personality alone is the decisive criteria for all the aesthetic and technical decision making on all FYD projects. The same applies to the development of the interior and exterior design for M/Y Soaring. Our goal was not to put together a selection of attractive details, but to create a coherent and harmonious whole that was to be simultaneously impressive and imposing but most of all a reflection and representation of the owner’s central life themes and requests.

It is most probably this very personal approach that positively surprised and convinced the owner from the very beginning. There were almost no design changes, but always very clear ideas and visions of what Soaring was to be that grew out of a very close collaboration. This gave rise to numerous unique and unconventional solutions, such as the back-lit onyx wall in the library. It is features like these, the successful fusion of classical and contemporary yacht design elements that imbue Soaring with a certain charisma. One of the many examples of this concept is the deliberately reduced but simultaneously expressive design language, such as the contrast of very light and very dark veneers. It is great to see how our concept has impacted the end result in such a purposeful and meaningful way. Soaring is a fascinating sight, but what is even more important for us is that she is a bespoke place of wellbeing, relaxation and enjoyment.” Thomas Mühe

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