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The designers of Octopus and Platinum share the unique challenges and possibilities of space planning for the largest yachts.
by Marilyn M. Mower
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12/01/2006
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"If there are children, their needs must be considered from the
earliest stages. What is to be their access to their parents’ spaces? Are there
teachers or nannies? They need play areas. But with the build time, I need to
design areas that will be appropriate to the children four years from now," says
Barnett.
Winch—creator of the original drawings and exterior styling for
the 158-meter (525-foot) yacht now known as Dubai—currently has
designs of 122, 130 and 170 meters under construction. The 122 is a
SOLAS-classed, 36-passenger reconfiguration of a 90-meter ship; the 130 is a
new- construction project in Germany; and the 170 is the replacement for Kingdom 5KR
for Saudi Prince Al-Waleed
bin Talal, which, when completed, will take the title of world’s largest
yacht.
Top: A rendering of the owner’s lounge, decks seven
and eight, aboard the new 170-meter Kingdom,
under construction. Bottom: Luxury stadium seating, in the 122’s
cinema. (Click images to enlarge)
"With projects over one hundred meters, the
sky—literally—is the limit," says Winch. The 158-meter project Winch
designed as Platinum—originally intended as a royal yacht for Brunei—and
completed as Dubai for the ruling Maktoum family has a four-story atrium.
"They have them on cruise ships, so why not on a yacht? It’s the best way to get
light down into the vessel," says Winch.
"I’m currently doing a lot of double-height spaces. The 122,
for example, has a double-height salon with surrounding balcony. Instead of a
single spiral staircase, we have room for a double staircase like a helix." An
atrium-style circulation area makes such a grand statement," says Winch. His
latest designs, like hotels, feature more than one. "Lots of atriums," he
enthused. "I love them; I love the light."
Perhaps the most significant design impact is the elimination
of the need for multipurpose spaces. Skylounges no longer need to double as
theaters, taking away the problem of ensuring sight lines to the screen.
Dedicated cinemas with appropriate acoustics and light locks are increasingly
possible on yachts in the 65- to 70-meter range, as long as enough ’tween deck
space is available to accommodate stadium-style seating.
Dining rooms no longer have to also be boardrooms, and
there is space for special interests just as there is on an estate, says
Winch, such as libraries, galleries and room for collections and special sports.
Dubai, for example, has an indoor squash court. Indoor swimming pools,
spas, and game and playrooms for children are just a few more options available
with increased length, beam and displacement.
Because owners of yachts greater than 100 meters are more
likely to arrive by helicopter, Winch has been wrestling with design concepts
for an additional formal entry for his clients, this one from a helipad or heligarage. "In some cases," says Winch, "we need to provide both vertical and
horizontal access from the helicopter area to the owner’s accommodations. In
other cases, there will be multiple helipads to consider, with entrances for
guests and owners. Of course, placement of helipads can create horrendous
conflict with any outdoor living area; the downdraft from the helicopter will
blow away any cushions and light
furniture and empty the water out of a
swimming pool."
Perhaps the moral to the story is that as a paradigm shifts, so do the
problems.
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