The 100m Phoenicia Superyacht Design By Igor Lobanov

Designer Igor Lobanov has revealed his latest innovative design concept to Super Yacht Times. He stated that Phoenicia it is an explorative study, focusing purely on the design elements themselves. This concept amalgamates various historical influences with a new modern design.




above: original sketch for the Phoenicia

The model explores a 100+ meter superyacht with generous open deck space, particularly aft of the yacht including a helipad; a feature which is usually seen on large motor yachts rather than a sailing yacht.



Another key element of this model is an all surrounding open deck arranged as a gallery with a pattern design as a feature. One of the proposed patterns has a special Arabian influence.



Additionally Phoenicia has a very unconventional bow, which has a hint of ancient Greek influence. This design gives the feeling of 1000 years of history of an “ancient royal ship” with the appropriate name concept of "Phoenicia". Phoenicians are believed to be the people who influenced the Greek alphabet. From the Greeks it was then passed to Romans as Latin and to Slavs (and even Mongols) as Cyrillic. As a result a wide range of nations from Australia to Russia are now using letters that derive from those once created in the small area of Phoenicia.



Also known for trading across the whole of the Mediterranean, the Phoenicians influenced many nations and cultures that lived around sea. The Phoenicians are a link between East and West, between modern Muslim and Christian cultures. Hence, this name is symbolic and appropriate to the design of Phoenicia. This concept is an expression of how we should continue to explore different shores, different cultures and the various way of life.

By Rosie McCall for the Superyacht Times.com
images courtesy of Igor Lobanov

The Incredible Beluga Superyacht, Emperor Of The Seven Seas

The Puresang Naval Division collaborated with Glass Deco to conceive of this modern super yacht concept which was unveiled last month at the 2010 Monaco Yacht Show. The joint product of the design group and decorative glass company derives its shape from the white round-headed Beluga whale and a traditional fishing boat.




The modern and luxurious 90 meter long concept includes multiple enclosed glass rooms or conservatories, full sized swimming pool with jacuzzi, helipad, large open living room, dining room, bar, six sleeping cabins and automatic opening rooftops and dinghy compartments.

















Interior:














LOA: 90.0m. Top speed: 20 knots. Range: 5,000nm. Guests: 12. Cabins: 6.

Aquariva By Gucci, A Sexy Luxe Speedboat Starting At $750k

Aquariva by Gucci is the exclusive made-to-order speedboat created as a result of a collaboration between Gucci, Riva and Officina Italiana Design. The Aquariva by Gucci speedboat was customized by Gucci's Creative Director, Frida Giannini. The model was designed to take part in activities marking Gucci’s 90th anniversary in 2011 and was recently unveiled at the International Cannes Boat Show.

The made-to-order speedboats have prices starting from 590,000 euros ($750,000).



Norberto Ferretti, Chairman of the Ferretti Group which Riva is part of, commented, “The Aquariva bears outstanding witness to Riva’s natural evolution from past to present in the sphere of boat styling, through an elegance and delicacy of line that in a span of 33 feet holds the same attention to detail and love of tradition inspiring the Forever Now spirit of Gucci. I can’t wait to see this Aquariva by Gucci in the water, a project that perfectly represents the balance between tradition and modernity, destined to become a symbol of Italian style and craftsmanship.”

Mauro Micheli, Chief Designer of Officina Italiana Design, added, “We had to absorb Riva history to create Aquariva, but also forget it in a certain sense, in order to propose a contemporary product which would go beyond the legendary Aquarama, the best-known nautical icon in the world. In Aquariva, cutting-edge technologies have respected and maintained the charm, softness and clean lines of the shapes which are typical to Riva. If Aquarama has always been an icon, Aquariva is perhaps, becoming one, and Frida Giannini’s enthusiasm for this model confirms this.”


click on the two pics below to enlarge:




Respecting the DNA of the original project created by Officina Italiana Design was paramount to Gucci’s design for Aquariva. Defining the Aquariva by Gucci is a fiberglass hull and detailing painted in Gucci’s own hue of glossy white, while Riva’s signature use of mahogany with classic varnish finish – twenty coats in all, ten by brushing, ten by spraying – is also the signature material for the cockpit and walking decks and awning cover hatch.



The waterproof fabric covering the seats and sundeck features the emblematic Guccissima print, while the bed upholstery is defined by the beauty of Gucci white cotton. The iconic touch is provided by Gucci’s green-red-green web detailing which edges the floating line, perfectly complementing the unique green crystal windshield.

Completing the Gucci customization is a series of exclusive Riva by Gucci accessories:


The innovative two-speed electronic gear reveals all the power of the two 380-horsepower Yanmar engines, ensuring an exceptional performance, with a maximum speed of 41 knots and a 150-mile range at cruising speed.



The Aquariva by Gucci vessel was unveiled at the International Cannes Boat Show on September 7th, 2010 followed by a special presentation on September 22nd 2010, the opening day of Milan Fashion Week. A show boat will then travel the world visiting some of the world’s most prestigious boat shows and international destinations throughout 2011. The Aquariva by Gucci will be exclusively available on a made-to-order basis through Riva’s dealer network.
press release information and images courtesy of Riva.

An Amphibious Floating Garden That Purifies The Water, The Physalia.

The Gulf could use of couple of these right now. A futuristic vessel designed to clean European waterways, the “Physalia” project is an architectural prototype that aims at meeting the mutual needs of the sustainable management of water as a resource by architect Vincent Callebaut.



A half aquatic and half earthly amphibious vessel, it's a nomadic hydrodynamic laboratory dedicated to implement an international network of scientific partnerships. A floating purification system that is completely self-sufficient.



The vessel is designed to handle all types of water recycling (rainwater, international and domestic), purify water from agricultural pollutants, desalinate sea water, and cleanse induced waste such as sludge and ashes.

As transportation, it promotes commercial and fluvial transport, linking the Rhine and the Danube and the Seine-Escaut waterway. It can be used as agricultural irrigation, to cool industrial power stations and to promote hydro-electricity production.




“Physalia” is innovative scientific equipment dedicated to investigate solutions as much as it is an innovation unto itself. A “clean” vessel, for a new generation, it produces no sulfur or carbon emmissions.



Physalia is 100% self sufficient in terms of energy. Its bionic structure is inspired from the pneumatophorous called “Physalia physalis” stemming from the Greek term "physalis" which means “water bubble”.



This aquatic pneumatophorous has perfect symmetry, an oblong shape and is partially translucent. It is the summation of natural and biotechnological ways to navigate on the European rivers - between the Danube and the Volga, the Rhine and the Guadalquivir, the Euphrates and the Tiger.



Its architecture is designed to utilize renewable energies and produces more energy than it consumes. Its roof contains a double pneumatic membrane with photovoltaic solar cells and under its hull, the hydro-turbines transform the energy of the fluvial stream into hydro-electricity, enabling it to navigate the waters.

The green roof with its pneumatic membrane and photovoltaic solar cells:

At night:


Aluminum covers the multi-hull steel structure. This silver-plated dress is covered by a Titanium Dioxide layer that reacts to the ultraviolet rays, enabling the vessel to reduce water pollution.

Hull construction and a view of the air garden:


In addition to being a self cleaning vessel, it can absorb and recycle by way of a photo-catalytic effect, the chemical and carbon waste in the water rejected by the traditional boats and by industrialists.




The interior of the Physalia illustrates the future of water travel by dividing it into four thematic gardens.

An interior look at the water and air gardens:


The “Water” garden: This marks the main entrance of Physalia between the berthing gates and the square. A great glass platform is suspended atop the water's surface reflecting on the interior vault. This reception space is dedicated to temporary exhibitions and the façades of the true aquatic balcony can also open to the landscape to be caressed by the outside breezes.

The water garden cross section and interior:



The “Earth” garden: This section constitutes the heart of the laboratory dedicated to international researchers who analyze the aquatic ecosystem. On top of this panoramic room, a planted vault stands.

The “Fire” garden: A confined and protected underwater lounge where armchairs surround a huge fireplace burning in the fireproofed hull of the vessel. One can access the planted garden from the circular banister that spreads under the planted vault and around the flames. One can admire the fauna and the flora in the middle of the vessel through the two panoramic glass portholes. It is a space dedicated to the permanent exhibits of aquatic ecosystems.

The “Air” garden: This is a space of oxygen and light spread under a pneumatophorous lens. This ecologic amphitheater opens towards the exterior landscape. In the center, we find an “H2O” acronym extruded under the shape of a circular and rotating water bar.

The Air Garden cross section and interior:



Man is in the center of this project which represents the balance between human action and respect for the environment. The architecture of this nomadic vessel, the concentration of nature, of biotechnology, information and communication is thus a reflection of the contemporary citizen who wonders about how his or her the actions effect the environment.



It is an audacious avant-garde project aimed at combining people with the notion of water respect, sharing in movement and dynamic balance. It is a project of trans-european leadership and a positive innovation of ecologic resilience.

To read the extremely verbose English translation, as well as the french version of this text, go here.

CONCEPT: Amphibious garden cleaning European waterways / Floating laboratories, museum and forum
YEAR: 2010
ARCHITECT: Vincent Callebaut
LOCATION: European waterways : Seine, Thames, Volga, Danube, Escaut, etc.
SURFACE AREA: 2000 m²
DIMENSIONS: 9m50 height, 80m length, 14m90 width
PERSPECTIVES: Philippe Steels

all images used with permission by architect Vincent Callebaut
©VINCENT CALLEBAUT ARCHIETCTURES