France’s Technicon Design has just come out with one of the coolest superyacht designs in recent memory, a “split personality” 187-footer that can move like a bat out of hell but transform into an ultra-luxurious floating red carpet event at anchor.
“The goal of this project was to create something unique and [totally] different from the current yachting design language,” explains Paul Martinez, who conceived of the Carat 187‘s asymmetrical exterior. “We wanted something atypical, exaggerated, and ultra-luxurious.”
“In our work across various domains of transport design, my team and I have developed a real understanding of the needs of a very particular client profile associated to our projects in private aviation , supercar design and luxury retail,” notes Gareth Davies, Technicon’s European Design Director.
Technicon’s other amazing transport projects including the IXION windowless jet informed the superyacht project, which also aims for the utmost in luxury in mobility but “with a focus on the sense of occasion and distinct exclusivity that only yachting can offer.”
Designed with the aim of “breaking the norms in superyacht design,” from a distance Carat 187 “displays an impressive silhouette on the water,” but up close the uniqueness of the exterior truly comes to light. While no price has been put on it a yacht this large and complex would certainly cost upwards of $100 million to build.
The yacht’s asymmetrical shell “mixes sculptural shapes” more traditionally associated with speed and movement on one side, which is almost menacing, while the other displays “softer, simpler surfaces on the other, creating two facets with different personalities: introvert and extrovert.”
The most impressive feature is a deployable “red carpet” constructed of two dramatic articulated stairs leading to the rear of the yacht, one to the “beach club” deck and swimming area, the other to the yacht’s sleekly-designed tender.
The red carpet theme is carried out on other entertaining spaces on the vessel as well such as the al fresco dining area and sun loungers. It’s designed to be the perfect yacht for arriving at the Cannes Film Festival, for example.
“Like a movie star with a more reserved private life,” Carat 187 can outrun the paparazzi at ease with her more aggressive side presented to any gawkers, then turn about and become a gracious super-luxe floating party when safely harbored in the Port de Cannes. At which point security can set up a velvet rope just like on land.
Luckily, we’re always on the list….