Quartz 55M
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The reason for this concept was the intention to develop a 55 meter which could
provide our client with a luxurious and exclusive yachting experience of
maximum visual and physical contact with the water and nature. In order to do
that some old pre-conceived ideas about how a yacht looks like needed to be
challenged.
I was interested in exploring the relationship between the hull and superstructure
and avoid the generic look we see in so many yachts today. However, to me
yacht design is never a matter of style, it's a matter or architecture and
technology working together seamless, achieving the type of results we can
appreciate on a samurai sword or an iPhone. With this approach in mind there's
no space for the cosmetic or superficial, everything has a function to fulfill, or
even two, and its beauty comes from the correct use of technology.
Glass technology for instance. Today it’s possible to use this material in the
nautical world in ways not obvious just a few years ago. As opposed to other
previous designs that I developed using curved glass, this time I was decided to
use high performance flat glass in order to lower the cost, engineering and
construction time, and use some existing off the shelve products available today.
For instance, the use of double glazing with an air cushion separating the glass
panels and the insertion of venetian blinds in the gap to control the light and
privacy. A metallic film is applied to the glass layers to reduce glare and UV
penetration and with thermal proprieties that reduce the heat for more than 65%.
In addition, radiant walls and floors can be used for heating and cooling. Also the
use of privacy glass which can be dimmed, allows for a total control of AC loads
and privacy.
So why not make floor to ceiling outside walls like in the modern skyscraper and
residences? That's how the upper deck volume was created, with its pavilion like
shape, which then was suspended from the deck to provide for a wave breaker in
the front. Then using the gap for natural light, creating an upper window below in
the main deck was a natural result, which increases the headroom below to 3
meters (10 feet) completely unusual on yachts of this size or even larger. This
upper window runs all the way around under the pavilion, going from the main
salon to the owner's stateroom in the front area, below the pilot house.
The pilot house windshield uses structural glass and also goes from floor to
ceiling, with the console designed as a piece of free standing furniture, placed
exactly where the headroom becomes too low for standing. Two doors on each
side provide access to the crew.
The side glasses are mounted on tracks and, combined with handrails placed on
the inside, can slide to create balconies. The aft deck, thanks to this feature, can
be completely enclosed for protection on a windy day or completely open.
Because the shaded area is part of the raised pavilion, the difference in level
creates a natural separation and layout organization for the upper aft deck.
From the upper aft deck, two stairways on each side lead up to the covered
flybridge, with handrails also in glass. A bar is placed just forward of the mast
and a relaxing seating area is in the front, to enjoy the sun and views during
navigation.
The base of the mast encloses a day head and is the support for a suspended
roof overhanging in all directions, like a giant umbrella, with no pillars around the
perimeter to spoil the views.
Also from the upper aft deck, two stairways lead down to the main aft deck.
I believe all this features are already interesting enough to define a rather striking
design and achieve views in all directions. However, a close physical contact with
the water was still missing, so using my previous experience with a smaller
design, the 63' Top Deck now in construction by Astondoa in Spain, I decided to
apply that concept on a larger size and make the aft deck to open completely
with hinge down panels. Under navigation the transom is completely enclosed,
no swim platform or stairways, a good security feature on itself, but upon arrival
at your destination, it can be completely flipped down to be used as a deck and
revealing the stairways for normal use.
Moreover, the aft sides of the hull can also be flipped down as well to reveal a
beach club, from port to starboard. This provides a unique living space at the
water level. To increase even more the additional space the flip down panels
include the bulwark above leaving behind, when open, a fixed handrail installed
separately. Of course the beach club area is completely waterproof and can also
be used to store water toys, such as jet skies, kayaks, small sail boats, etc. The
transom and fold down panels combined extend the deck areas by 65 sq meters
or 700 sq feet when open. Any of them can be used as a deck space or
embarkation areas, stairways are provided on each side.
The tender garage is located forward, right below the swimming pool on the fore
main deck which is also covered by teak panels when not in use. The garage has
door on both sides which open upwards, it’s partially divided by the pool and can
accommodate a 6.5 meter tender and 3 large wave runners. Worth of mention is
the service stairway that runs just forward of the garage, from the main deck
recessed fore area with the anchor windlasses to the lower deck crew area. With
this feature there's a complete separation between crew and guests and a safe
operation is guaranteed.
The current layout provides four staterooms down below with discreet access to
the crew, with the owner's on main deck forward just aft the garage. Galley is
also on main deck port side with direct access to the crew down below.
The overall result is a striking different look combined with cutting edge
technology but perfectly feasible yacht with a cost not to exceed conventional
designs of the same size, however to be built only by a very experienced and
capable yard. No doubt the amount of glass and movable parts are a demanding
engineering challenge but that's what sets this design apart and that's exactly
what can provide a luxurious yachting experience to a very especial owner and
his happy family.
After developing the concept and looking for a name I thought Quartz to be a
perfect one. Although the hull shape and configuration look normal at first sight,
they are not as we just saw, the upper deck is a geometric shape wrapped in
glass that reminds a quartz crystal for its edges and transparency.
On a final note, it's of course possible to apply this design and its features to a
smaller or larger size.
More information upon request.