Boosted Instant

This year Design & Innovation Awards were held in person in Milan on 22 June. Al Waab scoops triple win. Coming in just below the 500 gross-tonnage mark, despite a generous length of 55m, Vripack-designed Al Waab, built by Alia Yachts, scooping ‘Outstanding Exterior Design, Motor Yachts 40m to 59.9m’, ‘Best Interior Design, Motor Yachts 499GT and Below’ and ‘Best Naval Architecture, Displacement Motor Yachts’, the judges singled Al Waab out for her holistic interior, exterior and naval architecture. It’s a design approach that Vripack has long championed and places Al Waab at the forefront of yacht design.“Al Waab pulled ahead as a solid, smart design that’s slightly more efficient than its fellow nominees,” commented the judges. “Further tipping the balance in her favor was the holistic element of her naval architecture, exterior styling and interior arrangement.”Commenting on the awards wins, Vripack’s co-creative director Bart M. Bouwhuis, says: “Since 1961, Vripack’s design ethos has been underpinned by our holistic vision. Creating world-class interior and exterior designs that are conceived with expert naval architecture in mind not only delivers a yacht that comprehensively answers an owner’s brief, but one that gains worldwide industry recognition too.” Al Waab was delivered in 2021 for an owner, represented by SF Yachts, who sought a family home at sea. Despite her generous volume and a top speed of 13.5-14 knots, Al Waab’s twin Caterpillar C18 (725hp/533 kW) diesel engines burn 35% less fuel than similar-sized yachts. The Dutch design firm Vripack’s expertise comes to the fore with an optimized interior that accommodates a split-level master suite forward, six large cabins and a glass-walled convertible gym-cabin aft. Key design features include multiple drop-down terraces – with two in the master suite – a luminous glass staircase that connects the three decks, and a ‘breakfast nook’ where the family can share a convivial morning meal together. On the exterior, 286 sq. m of deck space gives a life outdoors. Inside, a natural, muted color scheme is accented with eye-catching details, such as a glittering gold-studded acrylic bulkhead, floor-to-ceiling windows and the advanced use of indirect lighting to seamlessly transition the yacht interior from day to night mode.Alia Yachts was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Çelik and Omer Koray. Located in the port of Antalya on the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Alia Yachts shipyard currently occupies approximately 8,000 sq. m, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 sq. m under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.​​Vripack is a yacht-design studio with a portfolio that represents over 7400 designs, made strong through its extensive naval architecture and engineering experience. From the moment they opened their doors in 1961, Vripack studio’s approach to design has been governed by the playful interaction between form and function.Credits: Vripack

The Austrian-owned Silent-Yachts continues to grow. Following the news that the brand has been restructured as Silent Group, it was announced that it is now the sole shareholder of its Italian production site. Silent-Yachts has acquired a new-build facility in Fano on Italy’s Adriatic coast comprising several modern, well-equipped hangars for the building and outfitting of the Silent 60 series and Silent 80 series models. The site includes five construction sheds with 22,000 sq. m of covered space and a similar exterior surface area.Silent 80 under construction at Fano facility The new range of electric Silent-Tenders will also be produced at the Fano facility, which includes an Innovation Center for researching and developing new models, technologies and solutions."Our acquisition of the facility in Fano is a great opportunity for the city and for the nautical sector in the area,” says Michael Köhler, CEO of Silent-Yachts. “In 2022 we will employ approximately 250 people, both directly and indirectly, and we have expansion plans already under discussion to increase the production capacity of our sites and acquire new ones."Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Alessandro Guerrieri/Silent-Yachts

Viken Group has announced the acquisition of the Italian Yacht Design and Architecture firm Hot Lab. The acquisition is the latest in a series of strategic partnerships and acquisitions strengthening Viken Group’s global offering of comprehensive design, naval architecture and project management services to both the cruise line and yachting industries.Hot Lab joins TDoS and the Italian design and naval architecture firm Thalia Marine under the Viken Group umbrella, in a collaboration that will facilitate cost-efficient, customized service with streamlined production process for each client. Hot Lab will maintain its office and employees in Milan, Italy, with company founders Enrico Lumini and Antonio Romano remaining at the helm.Antonio Romano and Enrico Lumini “We have always focused on the quality of our design and on the professionalism of the entire Hot Lab team. As a proud extension of the Viken Group family, we can only increase both,” says Enrico Lumini, Design Manager Hot Lab.The acquisition allows TDoS to maintain its focus on cruise ships and large yachts while continuing to hone its unrivaled expertise in large ship back-of-house operations, meeting Solas regulations and cost-effective design solutions. Stefan Nilsson“We are thrilled to welcome Hot Lab and its employees to Viken Group. Hot Lab’s Architecture for Voyagers approach is a welcome addition to our Group’s global offerings, which also comprise TDoS’s expertise in comprehensive cruise ship and large yacht design, and Thalia Marine’s technical brilliance. We are well on our way to realizing our vision to be better together for our employees and our clients, while striving for our overall goal of a better tomorrow,” says Stefan Nilsson, Group CEO Viken.Established in early 2022, Viken Group was formed by world-renown design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) in an effort to provide global expertise in multiple targeted areas of yacht and cruise line design and build. The Viken Group’s name refers to the small village of Viken in Sweden where TDoS once was founded by its pioneer Robert Tillberg.Established in Milan, Italy by Antonio Romano and Enrico Lumini, Hot Lab is a yacht design and naval architecture firm that has distinguished itself globally with forward-leaning, award-winning yacht designs that display the firm’s “Architecture for Voyagers” approach to balanced and purposeful luxury.Credits: Hot Lab; Viken Group

The 50m motor yacht concept was created by Spanish design studio Daroca Design in collaboration with London studio SP.9. The powerful and edgy Odisye’s exterior contrasts with soft and curvy interior and expresses the Yin/Yang concept. “Odisye is designed with the modern yacht owner in mind. Energetic and elegant, showing faceted angles and straight lines, the exterior design of Odisye reflects the way of thinking of this new generation,” says Alejandro Crespo, Daroca’s founder and chief executive officer. The yacht spreads across four decks. The sundeck features a hot tub and a bar, the outside dining area with a large al fresco table that seats up to 16 guests can be found on the bridge deck. The main deck includes sofa seating, the beach club with 360 ocean view and a sea-level deck with a TV lounge located on the lower level. The interior includes calm and curvilinear forms, soft textures, and welcoming color palette. The Odisye’s main saloon has marble floors that reflect along the ceiling, a curved sofa and a dining table. The 50m yacht can accommodate 10 guests across five cabins, including one master suite, three VIP guest staterooms and a twin. Each room features a meticulous choice of textures and materials including green onyx, panels of leather and embroidered silk.“I was inspired by the strong personality of the new owners, who love the antithesis of sporty chicness and curvilinear elegance with a touch of ancestral artistry,” says Pei Li, SP.9’s creative director.Credits: Daroca Design

The design of MAKO with its silver colour and fluid exterior lines has been inspired by the Mako species of shark. Mako will be powered by a propulsion system that combines hydrogen, fuel cells and electric engines to be able to operate with a zero-carbon footprint. You will also be able to find battery storage system and solar panels which contribute to the yacht’s sustainable design.A key feature of Mako is a wide beach club platform for sports and activities with an aft garage door nearby for tender storage and manoeuvres. The wraparound aft deck also features a large seating area conceived as a soft “island” sunken into the teak aft deck that offers 270-degree views.Another main interior area is the "pavilion". Situated above the top deck, this space is intended to be used as an observatory, panoramic lounge, fitness studio or yoga space. Further inside the yacht is the "studio", where a double-height ceiling and large windows provide uninterrupted views and a greater connection to the sun, sea and sky and not only.State of Craft is now branching out into the superyacht industry with MAKO being its first nautical design.Credits: State of Craft