Ten yacht designs that aim to make waves in the luxury boat industry
A 165-metre-long submarine, a tetrahedron-shaped hydrofoil and a vessel by Zaha Hadid feature in this roundup of yacht designs that have sought to disrupt the high-end boat industry.
There's nothing more synonymous with the super-rich than a luxury yacht, and with the industry already valued at $9 billion and expected to grow significantly in the coming years, manufacturers are continually seeking ways to make their boats stand out from the crowd.
Sometimes that means designs that seek to have a smaller environmental impact than conventional boats, with some of the examples featured below powered by hydrogen or solar cells.
Otherwise, it means bombastic concepts that break the mould of the standard pleasure yacht, targeting ambitious forms and functions.
Read on for the full list:
Austrian company Migaloo has a vision for the ultra-rich to enjoy private underwater adventures with its recently unveiled design for a 165-metre-long submersible superyacht.
The Migaloo M5 would cost $2 billion and be capable of descending 250 metres below the ocean's surface for up to four weeks at a time. Its design features a swimming pool, gym, cinema and helipad.
Find out more about the Migaloo M5 ›
Taking its name from its distinctive shape, Tetra is designer Jonathan Schwinge's concept for a superyacht that would lift itself above the water while travelling at high speeds using hydrofoil technology.
"The design is instigated by the re-thinking of the form, superstructure and propulsion of the modern superyacht into a radically simple enclosure and an elevated mode of travel above the water line," said Schwinge.
Orient Express Silenseas by Maxime d'Angeac and Stirling Design International
The Orient Express Silenseas, set to be designed by marine architecture specialist Stirling Design International with interiors by architect Maxime d'Angeac, is intended as a version of the famous luxury train that's fit for the oceans.
It will be propelled by three gigantic rigid sails and, at 220 metres long, it is expected to become the world's largest sailing ship according to Accor, which owns the Orient Express brand.
Find out more about the Orient Express Silenseas ›
Domus by Van Geest Design and Rob Doyle Design
The Domus trimaran concept was devised by Van Geest Design and Rob Doyle Design to be "the first truly zero-emission yacht over 750 gross tonnage".
It would be powered by a combination of hydrogen fuel cells, sailing-generated energy and solar power, with a battery-storage system to keep it running during the nighttime.
Inspired by flamingos standing on one leg, this solar-powered electric yacht has retractable stilts that allow it to be raised out of the water to become an off-grid home.
Designed by Dutch architecture studio Waterstudio.NL for yacht company Arkup, the idea is that the boat can be turned into a hurricane-proof building with a total living space of 404 square metres.
Find out more about Arkup 75 ›
Unique Circle Yachts by Zaha Hadid Architects
The late architect Zaha Hadid was tasked with designing five superyachts for German shipbuilder Blohm + Voss.
As a starting point, she created a concept for a 128-metre boat characterised by a distinctive sinuous exoskeleton, which later became the basis for the first yacht in the series – the 90-metre Jazz.
Find out more about Unique Circle Yachts ›
Oneiric by Zaha Hadid Architects and Rossinavi
More recently, Hadid's architecture studio revealed a concept for a solar-panel-covered yacht developed for Italian shipyard Rossinavi.
The team claimed that on a transatlantic crossing, the 42-metre Oneiric would save approximately 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide compared to a conventional vessel and also be significantly quieter.
Fibonacci Concerto by Icona Design
With its asymmetric form, Fibonacci Concerto is a concept yacht design modelled on a grand piano.
Developed by automotive-specialist studio Icona Design and presented during Dezeen's Virtual Design Festival, it intends to blur the boundary between the boat's interior and exterior to grant passengers a new type of seafaring experience.
Find out more about Fibonacci Concerto ›
SeaOrbiter by Jacques Rougerie
A cross between a skyscraper and a boat, the 58-metre-high SeaOrbiter was designed by French architect Jacques Rougerie to facilitate exploring unchartered waters.
Based on more than 30 years of research into marine architecture, the proposed design allows a team of up to 22 researchers to spend 24 hours a day underwater.
Find out more about SeaOrbiter ›
Project Neptune by Aston Martin and Triton
Sports car manufacturer Aston Martin collaborated with submersible maker Triton to create a concept for a three-person luxury submarine with a bubble-like cabin.
"We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars, such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar project," said Aston Martin's Marek Reichman.
Find out more about Project Neptune ›