With her hull already completed, the yacht Project Supernova bears the backing of a design team and original owner intent on pursuing exploration. Since the owner has had a change of plans, there’s an opportunity to complete her, with the knowledge that proven engineering supports her.
The design has its roots in a project dating back about a decade ago. At that time, an owner building a yacht by the name of I Nova in Greece requested Vripack’s engineering assistance. Following that 164-footer (50-meter) seeing delivery, the customer who commissioned a longer hull also contacted Vripack. Although he was happy with Vripack’s engineering for the 177-footer (54-meter), he wanted completely new styling and interior design. The megayacht needed to suit diving in warm regions during parts of the year, with cruising to cool climates to support heli-skiing other months of the year. Notably, the owner was avid and skilled a helicopter pilot as he was a diver. “He’s always on the move and wanted a yacht that can keep up,” as Marnix Hoekstra, Vripack’s co-creative director, explains.
Currently, the design for the yacht Project Supernova calls for a beamy beach club (below), naturally with fold-down platforms. The owner also wanted to set up hammocks here for an extra-relaxing experience at anchor. The dive center is on the same level. Rather than having watertoys occupy space below decks, though, they’re all on the bridge deck. In fact, dedicated deck space exists for a superyacht sub and tenders, while two large containers will stow land-exploring bikes and buggies. Fully aft, the helicopter can land and remain on deck during travels.
For the interior, meanwhile, the original owner’s brief called for equally creative solutions. For example, there’s no office in the master suite. Instead, the owner wanted a cigar lounge to enjoy either privately or with friends. Although the cigar lounge could easily allow work if needed, the owner wanted the flexibility to open his laptop anywhere onboard. Regardless, the dedicated cigar lounge prevents smoke from infiltrating other rooms.
Yet another noteworthy solution: glass-walled crew passages on the main deck (below). They replace traditional side decks and outer walls for the saloon. This way, the underlying concept for the yacht Project Supernova remains preserved, that being always feeling surrounded by sea and sky. No one enjoying the saloon will ever have a blocked view of an anchorage or passing scenery. Furthermore, the sole is the same as the saloon. “It creates an infinite feeling enhanced by reflections from mirror and glass, so it’s not apparent where the interior ends and the exterior begins,” Hoekstra explains.
With a full-beam main-deck VIP and four guest staterooms below, the yacht Project Supernova remains a 197-footer (60-meter) on paper. Vripack designed the extra usable length on the existing hull at the owner’s request, and can tailor the design to your liking. (IYC has the central listing.) Your tastes might mean keeping the firepit on the upper deck. You further might preserve the fold-down balconies by the saloon. Perhaps you’ll like yet another feature from the original yacht Project Supernova design, too. Specifically, the owner wanted a “treasure cabinet,” for valued possessions. A living wall fronted it, to bring the outdoors inside.
IYC iyc.com
Vripack vripack.com
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