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[ CREATIVE MINDS: EVAN K. MARSHALL ]

I’VE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON UNIQUE DESIGN SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO OUR CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS. MY BELIEF IS THAT “THE BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAILS” by Mary Hegarty

London-based American architect and designer, Evan K. Marshall has penned dazzling megayachts of the likes of the 74m Cocoa Bean and The World is Not Enough, but his most ambitious project yet is the 162-metre Luxus boutique cruise ship

[ CREATIVE MINDS ]

on’t call it a boat, Evan. It’s a ship. It’s got boats on it!” Evan

more easily towards solutions that even the highest standard cruise

K Marshall laughs down the phone from his London office as

ship couldn’t offer – and that was one of the main criteria. It allowed

he begins to describe his most ambitious project yet.

us to create more intimate spaces similar to those on a larger charter

Renowned for award-winning custom exterior and interior designs

yacht but taking it a step further”. The studio’s ongoing work at the

for megayachts of the likes of Cocoa Bean, Opus II, Skyfall and The

other end of the size scale, including the Divergence 45D for Ocean

World is not Enough as well as a widely-applauded revamp of the

Alexander and the intriguing Electric Whale 40’, also acted as an

Ocean Alexander range, Marshall took a huge leap of faith – and

anchor to its philosophy.

dimensions – when he accepted the Paul Gauguin Line’s invitation

The first question was how small a cruise vessel needed to be to

to pen its new cruise ship.

provide guests the feeling of being on a private yacht. The second

But what the exclusive South Seas-based line had in mind was a clear

was how to achieve the size and volume to deliver many of the

a departure from the norm in the increasingly super-sized cruise

unique public spaces and amenities of a conventional cruise vessel.

world. It wanted a boutique ship with all of the intimacy and quality

The dilemma was that on most cruise ships, the public areas – dining

of a mega/gigayacht yet the variety, amenities and guest stimulation

rooms, bars, etc. – are clustered together on a single deck, resulting

of a much larger vessel. In other words, a cruise ship that didn’t feel

in an impersonal mall-like ambience, a million miles from the

like a cruise ship - and barely looked like one either.

gigayacht vibe specified by the Paul Gauguin Line. “We eventually

The result is the 10-deck 162-metre Luxus boutique on which long

found the sweet spot,” says Marshall. “We created an atrium that

bands of hull windows give the first hint of that gigayacht aesthetic.

was a central feature of the design while at the same time sizing the

“It was a tremendously fun, challenging project,” a clearly enthused

vessel so that it was intimate but still had enough restaurants that

Marshall continues. “I’ve always focused on creating unique design

no one would have to prebook”.

solutions tailored to our client’s requirements, so my office is open

While passenger and crew flows are carefully planned on megayachts,

to different styles of design”. The London-based American architect

a 162-metre designed to welcome some 260 guests raised the bar

and designer, who began his dazzling career with Sparkman &

significantly. As did the whole raft of commercial fire and safety

Stephen and Andrew Winch, relished the opportunity to stretch

regulations. Once again, however, that stunning confection of glass,

his skills into entirely new waters. “We felt that, as yacht designers,

steel and light, the atrium, was the pivot, providing the dramatic

we could bring a unique perspective - we would be able to gravitate

space that acts as a tie-in for guests and for the onboard aesthetic:

The 78m Slipstream is clothed in clean lines that are raked in certain areas to lower her proportions and bring occupants closer to the sea. Her beach area is a circular indoor-outdoor affair, thanks to open-out platforms. A large six-metre pool on the swim platform is another new addition. Below left, the interior of the beach area with the Nemo Lounge and its underwater views, right

Facing page, with its dark bands of hull glazing, a beach club and near plumb bow, the 162m Luxus is more modern gigayacht than cruise liner. Above, the glorious swimming pool area creates a sense of both theatre and intimacy. Right and bottom, a glimpse of a duplex suite – spacious, sumptuously detailed and private with sweeping sea views

[ CREATIVE MINDS ]

The dramatic atrium is the pivot of life aboard the 162m Luxus, allowing guests to move freely to and from their suites and staterooms, restaurants, theatre, pool area, bars, etc. Its breath-taking design is a triumph, opulent and airy yet intimate with none of the impersonality of a “conventional” cruise vessel. Below, left, the Electric Whale 40’ and, right, the Divergence 45D, showcase the ever-inventive Marshall’s skill on a more compact scale

“It is the entry point, the common point of arrival from the staterooms.

the real eye-catchers are the Duplex Suites, which have an almost loft-

Going to other communal spaces aboard, guests always interact with

life feel – no great surprise, however, as Marshall introduced the first

that atrium,” Marshall told us. “We realised that if we stacked all the

tri-level master suite on Opus II. The luxurious interior styling is on a

public spaces at the aft end of the ship, we could have them leading

par with his most opulent megayacht work too. “My belief is that ‘The

off the atrium and create a sense of movement rather than a feeling of

beauty is in the details,’ he says of the painstaking design process. And

being boxed in”.

his takeaways from the Luxus experience? “One of the biggest lessons

The 162-metre’s restaurants are clustered aft too to provide expansive

was the importance of maintaining spatial intimacy no matter the scale

outdoor terrace areas seating, creating the connection with the sea and

of a project whether it’s with regards to interior or exterior spaces. That

outdoor world that has become a modern megayacht signature. The

appreciation will be something we can translate to ‘smaller’ yachts with

spectacular swimming pool area does this too. Even the “standard”

the same goal of creating enjoyable spaces for our owners and guests”.

staterooms aboard are designed to excel the finest 5-star hotel. However,

We can’t wait to see the results!