Pritzker prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid has joined forces with the renowned Hamburg-based shipbuilders Blohm+Voss to design a new superyacht.
The concept, presented at the latest exhibition of Zaha Hadid’s work at the David Gill Gallery in London, is based around the sculptural form of a master prototype conceived for a 128 metre yacht. Furthermore, the Unique Circle Yachts by Zaha Hadid Architects for Blohm+Voss is a family of five individual 90 metre yachts that creatively explore the design philosophies of the master prototype within the technical requirements of a fully-engineered boat.
The overall project is informed by fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems, with hydrodynamic research inspiring the shape of the hull. The exoskeleton structure of the upper section is an interwoven network of supports that vary in thickness and lend a natural aesthetic to the vessel’s external appearance; evoking the organic structural systems found in natural marine formations. This exoskeleton links the numerous levels and decks of the ship seamlessly via expressive diagonals. Whereas traditional yacht designs adhere to a strict horizontal order, Hadid has conceived an intense connectivity between the various decks and elements of the design. The fluid design language of the master prototype has been applied to subsequent variations of the Unique Circle Yachts 90m yacht concepts, creating a coherent design with the highest correlation between the various design options.
The 90 metre ‘JAZZ’ yacht is the first of the five Unique Circle Yachts that has been technically specified and detailed by the naval architects at Blohm+Voss. Its lineage from the 128 metre master prototype is evident, with further technical refinements to address the specifications required for ocean crossings.
In addition to JAZZ, four additional 90 metre yachts have been designed to fulfill the different requirements and individual requests of their designated owners. Each design will vary in layout according to the owner’s preferences>
The creative process was very much a collaborative one, with Blohm+Voss and ZHA working together to address the practical challenges of designing a yacht while remaining true to the strong iterative design language of the master prototype. The resulting designs are the synergy of Hadid’s vision and the technical expertise of Blohm+Voss, allowing a flexibility and customisation in the eventual formation of the yacht.
Blohm+Voss has the proven experience, the in-house technical expertise, and the capacities to offer tailor-made solutions for the most demanding buyers in the superyacht market. The naval architects of Blohm+Voss are forever pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation. In recent years Blohm+Voss has built many of the world’s most prestigious mega yachts. These include the groundbreaking 394-foot “A “designed by Philippe Starck and the “Eclipse”, designed by Terence Disdale, which at 533 feet (162.5 metres), is the world’s second largest private yacht. Other Blohm+Voss superyacht projects include, the “Mayan Queen IV” and the “Palladium”.
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