S E A H O R S E
I S S U E
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[ CREATIVE MINDS: BANNENBERG & ROWELL ]
WE STRIVE TO BE AS
BOLD WITH OUR DESIGN
APPROACH AND AS DETERMINED TO MAKE THE EXPERIENCE A LIFE-AFFIRMING ONE FOR THE CLIENT
by Mary Hagerty
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ph. Tom Jamieson
Simon Rowell (left) and Dickie Bannenberg (right) are responsible for some of most eclectic and ground-breaking yachts afloat. Their small, tightknit team has racked up no less than nine World Superyacht Awards for the London studio
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
W
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hen the 70m Feadship Joy was launched in 2016, she
close rapport and to-and-fro with the owner. It’s something we are
was the first exterior design of the new Bannenberg &
seeing more of – a wish on the part of an owner to spend more time
Rowell era after the untimely passing of Dickie’s father,
‘up front’ getting a design right. All of our work is driven by the
the great Jon Bannenberg. Joy wowed the judges at the following
lifestyle of the client – their wishes and preferences which, in turn,
year’s Superyacht Design Awards and Showboats Design Awards,
dictate the layout,” continues Bannenberg, adding that the changes
making it clear that the studio was not only capable of continuing
in the industry over the last decade and more have been mirrored
the legacy of the Father of Modern Yacht Design but building on
in the studio’s work: “I hope it has evolved in sophistication and
it. “It would be stupid to close the door on our astounding design
subtlety. And boldness. We’ve been participants in all the changes
heritage. But rather than plunder details or features, we encourage
and trends in the industry: pure size, greater connection with
a more holistic view: How did Jon present visually? How did he
the environment, the rise of the explorer yacht”. The result has
do it so differently to the rest of his peers?” says Bannenberg of
been a slew of unconventional yachts, not least the 55m Moon
the approach he, designer Simon Rowell and their team take.
Sand, the only pocket-sized Lürssen under construction. Due for
“We strive to be as bold with our design approach, as unafraid to
delivery this summer, this highly individual yacht draws in part
break with convention and as determined to make the experience
on a previous Lürssen/Bannenberg project, Carinthia VI, and also
a life-affirming one for the client”.
a concept the client originally saw in the studio.
Adding that one of the most important lessons he learned from
Now there is there is Kappa, a 112m currently in development at
his father is the years-long, intimate journey a yacht designer and
the Fulham studio, that brilliantly encapsulates the progressive
a client embark on together will ultimately reveal a huge amount
design, boldness and flair that Bannenberg & Rowell have made
about the latter, Bannenberg continues: “Our clients come from all
their calling card.
over the world and are of different vintages. They are connected,
One of the clearest stylistic leitmotifs running through the yacht
though, in wanting progressive design”. The studio, which does
is visibility. In fact, ingeniously used glass interweaves with
both interiors and exteriors, prefers working as early and as closely
structural forms to create fluid shapes that lend the yacht a
as possible with the owner too: “The best projects develop with a
dynamic yet ethereal grace, particularly forward around the guest
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
The stunning 112m Kappa is currently in
area is a circular indoor-outdoor affair,
development. Creating visibility was a key
thanks to open-out platforms. A large
element in this design and was achieved
six-metre pool on the swim platform
through creating fluid shapes that lend
is another new addition. Below left,
the yacht a dynamic yet ethereal grace,
the interior of the beach area with the
particularly in the forward areas around the
Nemo Lounge and its underwater
guest cabin hull windows and the glass eyelet
views, right
in the hull topsides beside the owner’s suite
ph. Tom Jamieson
ph. Tom Jamieson
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
Above, Kappa’s radical aft main deck and pool deck are where the visual and physical bond with the water is at its most powerful, thanks to an open, transparent structure, flying buttresses and cascading decks. Below, Bannenberg & Rowell continue to build on the legacy of the late Jon Bannenberg, whose revolutionary approach earned him the title of the Father of Modern Yacht Design
ph. Tom Jamieson
cabin hull windows and the glass eyelet in the hull topsides beside the owner’s suite. Another clever addition on the bow is a bird’s nest, a viewing snug complete with high/low table. It looks and feels like a small island overhanging the stem and is connected to the rest of the deck by a bridge (that doubles as a crane) over the top of the rescue boats. There is even a separate service route for the crew through a sliding hatch in the deck. Just imagine the exhilaration of having such a private nook out there as Kappa powers along! At the other end of the yacht, the aft main deck and pool deck create a powerful visual and physical connection with the water, while flying buttresses on the transom bring openness and transparency. A pair of inclined pillars soar from the pool deck to the mast, reinforcing in both fact and appearance Kappa’s strength with a fine aesthetic element. The decks themselves cascade down from the main deck to the pool deck and swim platform. Seen side on, their staggered overhangs ends give the impression of eagerness even while at anchor. Several guest routes culminate in the beach club and gym on the lower deck. These open out to the vanishing pool half a level higher. A stairwell to starboard leads to the so-called Amphi-Lounge, a multipurpose space that doubles as an underwater viewing gallery and dive store/changing room. If Kappa is a taste of what the future holds from Bannenberg & Rowell, we can’t wait to see what’s next. www.bannenbergandrowell.com 66