Is Architecture Cold? (Part 2)

 Too much theory can be such a curse. Originally the post about architecture was supposed to introduce another coquine![design] project called 'Ice Fairy'. Which would imply that indeed the inspiration taken from contemporary architecture would turn a yacht into a snow queen. Worse even, when the designer envisions polished aluminium, naked concrete and the unavoidable stretch of glass being the main theme for the interior...

But one thought at a time: The exterior of this mid size motor yacht (actually, the design would work nicely anywhere between 55 and 88 metres) was clearly inspired by the works of spanish star architect Santiago Calatrava. The general idea was to find a shape that allowed us to break with the traditional 'layer cake', dictated by the need to create decks to define living spaces. Obviously, we cannot avoid floors and we cannot avoid ceilings as a result of the next floor up. Raising those ceilings in order to gain more 'living volume' usually has a rather unflattering effect on the exterior, so we had to find something different.

The deckhouse structure of 'Ice Fairy' allowed us to rethink interior volumes, giving it a new vertical dimension. The exposed metal backbone makes the glass surfaces much more managable and therefore allows a level of light flooding the interior that hasn't been seen before.

We then went on to maximise the impact this new approach would have on the interior, as it seemed wrong to come up with something so different on the outside while doing 'same old' on the inside. And in the end, with a bit of wood and leather in the right places, concrete can be quite cozy actually!

99 Metres Of Nostalgia - State Of The Art

Of course, the good old times never have been as good as we see them now in the movies. But there certainly was some kind of elegance that designers nowadays struggle to achieve. Yet, we are dreaming of things that never existed before: Imagine a yacht, almost 100 meters long, with a proud, almost vertical bow, with wide side decks that invite you for a stroll and that don’t limit the space where you put your deck chair to the aft terrace. Imagine an elegant elongated hull with sensual curves like nothing you’ve ever seen in the marinas of the world. A funnel that signals: This is a ship, not a boat.
The term ‘loft on the water’ lately has been well over-used, so imagine a stunning art deco penthouse overlooking the illuminated streets of Manhattan. Except of course, you can park your penthouse not only in the Hudson River but in all the other exciting locations around the world, too.

Going For The White Spots

When in the old times those brave explorers came back from their trips into uncharted territory they marked the areas on the map that they still haven't ventured into ‘here be dragons’ to warn the people of the unknown dangers that might lurk somewhere out there. Of course, there were those sailors that where intrigued venturing exactly there...
Today those white areas on the maps have long been filled in, but still there is a certain thrill in leaving the beaten tracks of the Mediterraneans or the Caribbeans and head into the great wide open.
In close co-operation with newcruise Yacht Projects & Design in Hamburg coquine![design] is developing this well balanced 105ft world cruiser sailing yacht that is equally fast and easy to handle as it is comfortable for long journeys. A special emphasis has been given on creating ‘real sailing experience’. What that means? The result is a surprising blend between state-of-the-art technological solutions ( like the ring-frame construction or the use of glass) and an almost ‘retro’ appearing focus on old-fashioned sailing. Coffeegrinders instead of push buttons. While this is not everybody’s cup of tea, there are still some sailors out there that like to head for uncharted territory. On the map and in their mind.

Espada Volante - Project Castor

Some of the most exciting yachts of our days have started their lives as hard working navy vessels, most notably of course Onassisʼ Christina O., which once served as a frigate for the Canadians. Their elegant hulls made them the perfect base for becoming the most desirable gentlemanʼs fancies. Some of the most fun boats actually where navy boats: Who does not remember the famous Calipso (which in fact has been a minesweeper, too), taking Jacques Cousteau and his team to all the remote corners of the world at any kind of weather, being ready to deploy helicopter, submarine, divers, etc...

The bottom line is, there is nothing like owning one of these great boats with a pedigree like a vintage Ferrari. For people that have their own distinct style, that have a taste for the extraordinary, for people who enjoy an active lifestyle, be it at the helm of a fast yacht cutting through the waves, be it diving in secluded bays or even exploring places up river where no other yacht can follow, the Castor provides the perfect platform for their very unique yachting statement.

Converted into a timeless beauty and equipped with everything thatʼs cool and fun, she will most certainly turn heads wherever sheʼs going!

The Bluphire Project

One of the hottest markets at the moment involves fast Open (or hard-top) motor yachts in the range of 80 to 120 feet. A whole range of manufacturers currently tries to enter this section, challenging the establishes names like Mangusta, Pershing or Sunseeker.

No other yacht type delivers the idea of fun, speed and outdoor living better than these sleek beauties. Equipped with powerful engines, water jets or surface drives, sunbeds, a bar, some well laid out cabins and a handful of flatscreens they have everything you can ask for to enjoy a day or a weekend on the water.

With the Bluphire, coquine![design] wants to offer a next step of refinement. By adding a few feet more in order to optimise the hull’s performance rather than to maximise it’s interior volume for example. Or by fine tuning the layout to allow for more flexibility, better crew movement and a ‘loft-like’ living area under deck. Or by creating a true ‘glass house’ that re-defines the idea of indoor/outdoor living.

Great attention has been put into details like the use of glass for natural illumination, a new lighting system, innovative doors and the use of new and unexpected materials, to name but a few, in order to give the discerning yacht owner a brand new yachting experience. Probably a bit more expensive than the other Opens around, but definitely not like the others....