New yacht designs; stomach churners?

Timeless is not a word that comes to mind, so....it too shall pass.

I actually like the Vripack design, has a nice look and the details are outstanding IMO.

Basic lines are not good. Glass contractor is happy.

I'm an old school, traditional RPH motoryacht fan, but I've really enjoyed the diversity in design we've witnessed in the past decade. Nobiskrug (in particular) is currently pushing the design envelope and while I agree that 'Artefact' isn't for everyone, I think it will become another unforgettable build for the yard that creates the kind of buzz that no amount of advertising dollars could generate. Sailing Yacht A is a prime example of this. The coverage this boat received was way beyond the conventional yachting media.

Also a traditional RHP/MY fan. Meant to say the Artefact basic lines are good, but glass work gets real busy. The 56m is a really sleek smooth profile. A lot of glass on both yachts.

I don't mind the 56 meter outboard profile one bit and can only imagine what a good interior designer could do with all of that open glazing. Same thing with Artefact, I want to like it and maybe I could learn to like it over time but I'm sure that that wall / atrium of glazing port and starb are going to be spectacular from the inside looking out. looking fwd to photos of the interiors

I'm sure if we did a tour on both we would be impressed. Certainly the owners will not be cleaning all that glass. Good for the economy....fun to see them when docked in Lauderdale.

I do appreciate the new age designs. Every design and build is unique so weather we like it or not we should appreciate it and everything that goes into building these beauty works of art. That includes this one, MY A, and SY A.

I am a big fan of variation in design. Just like art it doesn't have to be for everyone, but the discussion and feelings it create in the viewer are of value.
A modern design that you do not enjoy will provide the contrast that gives a greater appreciation for what you enjoy. The modern classics Nero or Bread would be nothing without the white wedding cakes (by comparison) that are the contemporary vessel.

With Artefact I would like to see more of the odd shaped windows onboard. If the whole hull area were to contain these then in my opinion it would complete the look. False windows would work even.

I really like the design of the 56m, but as an equipment person, this vessel would be a nightmare to make into a yacht. It is effectively a floating penthouse apartment. I would also be concerned about the exposure while onboard where you could feel like you were conducting your private life inside a picture frame.

My feeling is modern yachting is going to encounter the challenge of creating an experience that is private for the owner, but allows the owner to get closer to the environment. Underwater viewing windows, private water level beachclubs, fully surrounded leisure areas (S/Y A), alternative locations for owners areas etc are going to be more common. This will be tempered by cultural preferences, with a place for enclosed vessels.

I feel that we are exiting the age of 'I have a yacht' and entering the period of 'look at what I created'. Vessels are going to be more customized to the owners tastes, with Artefact, S/Y A, Excellence, White Rabbit, Jubilee etc only just the start.

Just my $0.02 (CDN) :

Are we confusing designers with stylists?

What Capt Ralph brought up here is the same as the kid in The Emperors New Clothes. There are a lot of bad designs coming out these days, in my mind just a few are really good and then there are a few that are really bad. The good thing is that they all keep the industry busy. Then you can feel sorry for the owners who got the really bad ones, but if they want to make expensive statements like this, they can most likely also take the loss...

This could be a whole seperate thread as I often wondered where the blurred line lay to this question . If you are a schooled Naval Architect than your a designer? Many of yachting's premier designs were penned by fantastic artists that were stylists such as Bannenburg, Disdale, Winch and many others that worked in conjunction with N.A.'s to flesh the design out with ship constructor or other programs. I sat in a seat on a transatlantic flight next to Terrance Disdale 15 yrs ago and looked over his shoulder while he "doodled" a perfect pencil drawing of the interior of the aircraft complete with passengers and the flight crew serving dinner from the cart. The doodle took maybe 10 minutes and he explained it was a habit that kept his drawing skills sharp. It just blew me away that he could produce something so detailed in such a short time like it was nothing.

About designer vs stylist, John Bannenberg saw himself as a designer, not a stylist. Disdale and Winch who both have been working with Bannenberg probably agrees on this. I don´t know if there are any "stylists" really, but there are both bad and good designers. There are also naval architects doing styling, sometimes the best...

The majority started their careers as interior designers as all of the above listed did and then began "styling" exteriors for clients and builders through the oversight of N.A's and shipyards staff. Maybe that's where they think of themselves as "designers" but the demarcation line between the two is still a paradox that neither N.A's nor "designers" want to speak about it seems.

How much influence do owners have in these custom designs?

BTW, I certainly think of the gentlemen listed above as very talented designers and am not disparaging them at all as their outstanding work's speaks for themselves.. 35 yrs ago the 'stylist / designer segment was a much smaller world where as AMG stated , Winch and Disdale worked with Bannenberg's design house in london and then you had a whole other freshman class of designers that came up through the ranks working with the naval architecture / design firm of Martin Frances in the South of France etc. Tim Heywood being just one of many alumni . The whole segment has evolved and morphed into an entity unto itself. All very very talented but few are schooled N.A's but industrial design school grads that excel in the Marine and aviation fields.

Absolutely have to agree. Seems like the mega-rich of today have no idea of what form and grace are. I can't even imagine what sort of garish monstrosities they live in. Has class completely disappeared in the uber-wealthy.