Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design presented yet another groundbreaking concept at this year’s edition of the Monaco Yacht Show with AQUA, a 112-meter fully operational, on liquid hydrogen and fuel cell technology powered concept Superyacht. Sinot shows once more to be able to fuse groundbreaking technology with cutting-edge design.
True Superyacht
Hydrogen, which has been labelled as the fuel of the future for the last
decades, finally found its way to the world of Superyachts. The designers at Sinot
Yacht Architecture & Design created in collaboration with Lateral Naval
Architects, the design for the first 112m LOA superyacht based on liquid
hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Now a fully operational 112m concept
Superyacht with a speed of 17 knots and a range of 3750 nautical miles is
realized, placing AQUA solidly among Superyacht peers in terms of size,
performance and usability. Simultaneously meeting and exceeding current
superyacht standards, AQUA optimizes hull, energy and space efficiency while
providing a maximal superyacht experience at the highest comfort level for
discerning owners.
Mindset
Designer Sander Sinot explains how he and his team managed to integrate the
hydrogen-electric system capable of catering for all onboard energy needs
without having to compromise on esthetics, comfort or usability: “With every project, I
challenge my team and myself to surpass ourselves. For development of AQUA we
took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid
versatility of water and cutting-edge technology to combine this in a 112m
superyacht with truly innovative features.” Sinot soon realized they had
set themselves an extraordinary goal, so started working on an extraordinary
design: “Our challenge was to implement fully operational liquid hydrogen
and fuel cells in a true superyacht that is not only groundbreaking in
technology, but also in design and esthetics.”
Nature and technology
AQUA
is fueled by hydrogen, a unique concept which represents a significant
progression towards achieving a new balance between nature and technology. The
system is based on the use of liquified hydrogen, stored at -253°C in two
28-ton vacuum isolated tanks. The liquified hydrogen is converted into
electrical energy by proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with water
being the only by-product. All parameters in terms of output, system layout,
range and physical dimensions where translated to a complete hydrogen /
electric based system. The generated electrical energy is transmitted to
AQUA’s switchboards, where it is distributed to provide power for propulsion,
auxiliary systems and hotel services. Large batteries buffer the generated
electricity to ensure power demands are always met. And thanks to the electric
propulsion AQUA is a very quiet superyacht, with very little noise or
vibrations. After five months of extensive development, the team of designers
and naval
architects came
up with a design with physical dimensions and operational characteristics that
even strengthen the superyacht experience. Sander Sinot: “Reliability and
safety are essential in our world. That’s is why we emphasize that we
implemented proven technology in a new appliance. Imagine AQUA at open sea,
moving water with water?! At 17knots with a range of 3750 nautical miles, which
places AQUA solidly in the forefront of its Superyacht peers!”
Privacy and Space
Entering AQUA is entering a world of privacy and
space. The spectacular, extremely spacious and beam-wide owner’s pavilion,
occupying the front half of the upper deck, offers an abundance of privacy. The
pavilion is arranged in a vast open-plan area of interlinked spaces, divided by
finely crafted wooden screens providing intimacy and subdued lighting. Both at
the starboard and port sides, floor-to-ceiling band windows supply an amazing
impression of openness and freedom. The ceiling, at a height that varies from
an ample 280cm to an impressive 380cm at the large central skylight, is
supported by an intricately crafted wooden structure. The bedroom section is
located at the yacht’s axis and offers an endless sightline all the way
up to the AQUA room at the bow. The owner’s pavilion is completed with a
large bathroom, dressing room and an intimate private spa section. The AQUA
room, located at the bow, at the far end of the owner’s pavilion, offers a top-of-the-world
feeling and endless views from the best position on board.
Located on AQUA’s beach deck, close to the waterline,
the expansive and naturally outfitted VIP state rooms stand out by virtue of
their spacious design and highly elaborate furniture. The VIP cabin and other
state rooms are focused on openness, luxury and comfort, providing a maximum
sense of freedom in a highly detailed minimalist Japanese beach-style setting.
The indoor health & wellness center is a water-world of
serenity, where the reflecting waves of the water feature complement the
onboard environment with their soft, vibrating motion. With an exclusive hydro
massage room, a yoga space and workout floor and a massive, gym-wide hatch
which opens to reveal the ocean’s surface at water level, creating the
perception of exercising and relaxing on an island in the sea.
Situated at AQUA’s core, the spectacular circular staircase is one of the
yacht’s defining features, winding down from the top deck to the lower deck. A
true spectacle manifests itself at the lowest level, facing aft, where two vast
liquified hydrogen tanks reveal their hexagonal textured surface structure
behind a giant façade of strengthened glass.
Curved
The flowing exterior lines of AQUA are inspired
by ocean swells – the surge of energy induced by winds and currents, boosted by
the gravitational forces that control the ocean’s tides. The curved top deck
culminates in a sensational bow with integrated front bow observatory, the AQUA
room, as part of the Owners pavilion. The hull is a sculpted overall double
curved volume, intersected by the glass band windows, which subdivide
approaching the aft stepping down to the water. The raised front profile with a
strong forward direction in the design, provides ample space for accommodating
all Owner’s, guests and technical facilities. AQUA is configured with a
five-deck set up, utilizing forward interior space through the high sheer line
which subtly descends from bow to aft. The yacht has been designed to provide
those on board with the closest possible proximity to the water. The aft deck
features a unique and innovative series of platforms cascading down towards the
sea, while a large swim platform allows all AQUA passengers to enjoy the
optimal experience of accessing the water at sea level.
Technical feasibility
Many concepts Sinot Yacht Architecture &
Design has presented over the years are in different stages of realization.
AQUA is designed for owners who want to take yachting to a next level, with a
pioneering design that clearly prefigures the superyachts of tomorrow. AQUA: a
new way of yachting.
www.sinot.com
