Kachi wants this Super Yacht - Streets of Monaco

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Click on the link to see renderings of this 500+ ft behemoth

Superyacht Design - Concepts - The Streets of Monaco

The Streets of Monaco
By Andrew Johansson. Jan 05, 2011

With its own fully functional go kart circuit, The Streets of Monaco by Yacht Island Design is a 155-metre concept like no other. The design recreates a small section of the Principality of Monaco, home to the famous Formula One track and the Monaco Yacht Show. Basically, the superyacht acts as a floating island, harnessing the benefits that come from SWATH platforms, the main advantage being excellent stability.

Yacht Island Design is described by Directors Rob McPherson and Scott Poxon as a team wishing to push design boundaries and create themed superyachts, with The Streets of Monaco being the first of two new concept designs. “The art of producing a themed yacht is to seamlessly weave a story into every element of the design and is achieved via extensive consultation with the client during the initial phases of the design process,” claims the UK-based company.

Teaming up with BMT Nigel Gee, Yacht Island Design has created a one-of-a-kind design that quite literally incorporates land-based architecture into the superstructure. SYD is sceptical of how buildable or seaworthy such a bizarre design would be, but the team is confident that such a project could be realised. “We would in the first instance seek to comply with current regulations,” explains James Roy at BMT Nigel Gee. “Where this is not feasible, we would need to prove equivalent levels of safety and work closely with authorities to agree this methodology.”

Split into four major external deck spaces, the upper level includes the main swimming pool with swim-in Jacuzzi/bar and the Casino Square, featuring a large glass-bottomed fountain in a tranquil garden setting. A multi-purpose courtyard in the stern of the vessel allows for various sporting activities and doubles as a helipad. Expansive sun decks and BBQ facilities have also been incorporated into the design.

The two remaining communal areas are the ‘The Oasis’ and ‘The Grand Atrium.’ The Oasis, modelled on the gardens outside the Monaco Casino, acts as the main boarding point and includes a central waterfall feature. Large exterior windows surround the entire aft section of The Oasis, extending to the full double-deck height ceiling. Forward on the lower level is the Spa with manicure and hair salon, sauna/steam rooms and a relaxation lounge featuring a spa pool with a bar. A gym and café bar are also found on this level with under-water views into the main external swimming pool.

Finally, The Grand Atrium is the central hub of the yacht, linking the upper and lower living areas and surrounds a waterfall feature supplied by the glass-bottomed fountain from the garden above. Located off the lower atrium are seven guest suites, library, communal office, communal balcony and cinema. The upper level of The Atrium leads to the main entertainment area and the owner’s suite comprising the main salon with Havana room and adjoining wine cellar, casino, dining room and dance hall.

Diesel-electric drives would power the steel and aluminium vessel, which is expected to achieve a top speed of 15 knots. Able to accommodate 16 guests and 70 crew, with the owner’s private apartment located in the Prince’s Palace on the port bow of the Upper deck, additional features include two large tender garages, sea level ‘beach’ decks, dive dock and a submarine, which can be deployed from one of the submerged hulls.

“The feedback we’re receiving from the market is that yacht design is increasingly influenced by land-based architecture,” explained Aldo Cingolani, MD of Giugiaro Architettura, at the 2010 Seatec Millennium Yacht Design Awards featured in SuperyachtDesign Q2. The Streets of Monaco concept would seem an extreme reflection of this trend.

The second creation by the team at Yacht Island Design will be a smaller 85-metre ‘yacht’, based around a Pacific Island theme—“a notable departure from the architectural feel of the ‘Monaco’ design with a flowing organic shape and natural themed features” explains McPherson.