This 58-metre yacht by Tankoa embodies a new concept of tailor-made luxury, with innovative engineering, sculptural interiors and a close connection to the sea. Exterior design is the work of Francesco Paszkowski, who also developed the interiors in collaboration with Margherita Casprini
by Paola Bertelli ph. photography by Josh Breed Media
iamond Binta, the latest expression of the Tankoa Yachts vision, is an entirely custom 58-metre yacht inspired by a dialogue with an exceptional client, an engineer with an intense passion for the sea, technology, cars and helicopters. He is already owner of the 50-metre Binta D’Or, launched by Tankoa in 2019. With Diamond Binta the relationship between yard and owner has evolved into an even more ambitious project - a yacht that as well as reflecting the owner’s personal taste and sailing preferences surprises with its technological innovations, elegance, attention to detail and qualitative perfection.
The design team comprises the same individuals who were responsible for the Binta D’Or - Francesco Paszkowski Design developed the exterior design and collaborated with Margherita Casprini for the interiors, while the naval architecture is by the Francesco Rogantin studio. Together with Tankoa, this seasoned team has created a coherent narration of form and materials, designed for long cruises and a deep connection with the sea.
The iconic element of this yacht, launched in 2024, is the glazed corridor that crosses the engine room, showcasing the machinery as if in a display window. This powerful, spectacular architectural solution optimises on-board flows, creating a direct link between the lower deck cabins with the beach club and the treatment room aft, so that guests can avoid the traditional route across the main deck. Diamond Binta is laid out over three decks plus a sun deck. The sinuous, athletic exterior recalls the Binta D’Or but goes beyond with new proportions and more expansive vertical windows. The hull and superstructure livery is intense white and deep black, deliberately disrupted by the grey triangle in the centre of the sundeck, defining the interior area of the scenic gym.
The open-air lounges, all surrounded by large windows that open up the view of the sea, occupy the aft sections of the decks, while the vast upper foredeck, an expanse of teak with the yacht’s logo of two back-to-back Bs, serves as a touch-and-go heliport capable of handling commercial helicopters.
Furnishing elements with soft, rounded shapes - often asymmetrical and with bevelled angles – feature inside and out, creating an extreme stylistic coherence throughout. There are many specially-made pieces as well as freestanding design objects.
Softness and an absence of sharp edges can also be seen in Francesco Paszkowski’s interiors. The spaces gain a dynamic impact through curved panelling and ceilings with integrated LED strips that create diverse, irregular shapes, focussing attention on specific elements and creating partitions that subtly define the spaces.
The colour palate comprises grey, black and white, creating refined contrasts. There is extensive use of wood, mainly oak, and materials like metal, glass, marble and leather with a variety of finishes. The leather, for example, smooth and cream coloured on the owner’s desk, worked and in wet sand tones for the corridors, decorated on the stairwell walls and rigid on the bedheads and bases.
Diamond Binta can accommodate up to 12 guests in four cabins on the lower deck. The owner’s suite on the forward main deck includes a lounge area, study and drop-down terrace. The main deck is also the location of the main saloon and kitchen. The kitchen is for the use of crew, owners and guests. This dual role is emphasised, for example, by the Poltrona Frau stools. A lounge and informal TV area, captain’s cabin (as large as a VIP cabin) and a wheelhouse with dark brown leather and red LEDs can be found on the upper deck.
Diamond Binta is successful synthesis of a yacht that reflects the vision of a passionate owner and the sensitivity of a yard capable of interpreting the bespoke concept with real depth. www.tankoa.it
The Diamond Binta logo dominates in the centre of the large foredeck heliport. To side, the glass pool on the sun deck was created in-house by the yard. Opening, the water-level saloon of the beach club, the deep horseshoe shape and table are custom made
Balance and lightness for the stairs. The central support is steel and the steps are surfaced in anti-slip black leather. The sculpture and the other art works were chosen by the owner. The main deck (to side, top) and upper deck (to side, bottom) saloon feature an extreme uniformity of style. Sofas and armchairs are by Minotti, the coffee tables are custom
founder Francesco Paszkowski Design
The yard’s expertise and experience with the owner enabled us to develop a new creative process where shape plays a central role and guides a new synthesis of exteriors and interiors. For us, every project begins with a precious and indispensable meeting with the owner, giving us an idea of his lifestyle and how he intends using the yacht. In this case, the experience gained with Binta D’Or became a starting point for the development of a 58-metre yacht that is almost a continuing narrative, a coherent evolution taking in the new requirements that have emerged for the owner and his family. The yard’s know-how and awareness of production dynamics enabled us to offer the owner solutions that met his requirements with the expectation of an uncompromising build. This also helped accelerate the development of the project. This 58-metre build features soft, flowing shapes that transcend the rigidity of conventional geometries that have until now dominated in the yachting world. Examples of this new approach are the vertical side elements, the overhanging structures of the decks and the furnishing integrated into the generous open-air areas. The dialogue with nature and the surrounding seascape is intensified by the large social spaces. The flydeck with pool, gym, large sunpads and bar area is designed to provide a versatile relaxation and well-being experience. The aft main and upper deck terraces have clearlydefined functions, with a spacious dining area on the upper deck and a lounge area on the main deck. The lower deck enhances the direct relationship with the sea – the drop-down sides increase usable space while the spa with massage area is designed as an immersive well-being centre. The corridor, decorated with a metal insert, also provides access to this area from the lower deck guest cabins, providing an unusual degree of functional connection.
A yacht that’s open to the sea: here, the beach club with sides open. Above, the owner’s suite terrace. To side, creating the corridor, panelled in worked metal, that crosses the engine room and links cabins and beach club, was a significant technical and stylistic challenge
Interior Design
Francesco Paszkowski
The interiors, developed in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, comprise soft, rounded shapes that segue smoothly into one another. Vertical surfaces, custom furnishings created by the studio, free standing furniture items, illuminating light strips – everything on board is expressed through sinuous lines.
We’ve used curved walls in the open-space areas to articulate the space into functionally distinct yet visually connected areas. The owner’s suite is an example of this – it’s a unique space where the sleeping, day, vanity and study areas are defined in a totally natural way.
The interiors feature an extensive use of wood, in a variety of finishes – brushed, polished, striped – and a combination of neutral colours, from pearl grey to darker shades of grey. The result is a sober, refined atmosphere. Details in leather, metal and glass complete the aesthetics with controlled notes of materiality.
One very interesting element is the ceilings with integrated LED strips around the edges, designed to accentuate and evoke the shapes of the spaces where they are located. The sculptural staircase between the main and upper decks has metal and leather surfaces. Marble surfaces –Cappuccino for the coffee tables, Calacatta for the lobby, Botticino in the dining area and Fior di Bosco in the bathrooms - add a sumptuous feel to the décor. The VIP cabin doors and the owner’s suite cupboards in grey smoked glass provide a touch of contemporary sobriety. The helm station, the technological heart of the yacht, is inspired by the world of automobile design. Dark brown leather and red accents create a more masculine feel, a perfect balance of functional elegance and decisive character.
The search for new soft, asymmetrical forms is reflected in all the spaces. In the owner’s suite, rounded walls define the spaces in the night area (top) the vanity and the study areas (left). Opposite page, the large conversation area on the aft main deck. The sofas are custom made
Guido Orsi, Vice President of Tankoa
Diamond Binta has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. The shaft alternator propulsion system, specified by the owner, optimises energy use on board
For Tankoa it was an honour to build a second made-to-measure yacht for this client. It was sign of confidence in us and of appreciation for our work. The owner had a clearly-defined vision of the project. Three features are the main results of his direct input – direct access to the engine room, a spacious beach club with two large drop-down balconies and the choice of a shaft alternator propulsion system. Direct access to the engine room is a feature usually seen on larger yachts, and Diamond Binta is probably the only 58-metre model to include it. Designing it took several months – the aim was to fit all the engine components into spaces that were now made smaller by the presence of the traversing corridor. Climatised and finished with select materials, this walkway makes it possible to observe the engines and systems from up close, a unique visual experience. This ambitious solution involved a number of engineering challenges, especially regarding cooling and ventilating the spaces. It was crucial to ensure everything was in line with all regulations and standards, providing comfortable cruising and a pleasing aesthetic impact.
The Diamond Binta project’s second engineering challenge was the shaft alternator propulsion. The yacht is powered by a pair of 1,350 kW Caterpillar engines linked to two electric motors that enable sailing in shaft alternator mode. During long runs the main engines charge the electric motors, while the alternators produce the energy required by on-board services, leaving the generators turned off. This system optimises energy use, concentrating savings where really necessary – in other words, on-board services during long cruises. Like all our builds, Diamond Binta is the product of intense commitment and passion. One of my favourite areas on the yacht is the beach area – when the transom and two side balconies are open, this creates an extremely evocative space. The view from the beach club is incomparable. This space can also be used while sailing, thanks to a skylight that allows natural light from the main deck, making it a pleasant environment at all times.
