The clear solution
For several years now, the exterior design of modern yachts has been increasingly influenced by the size and shape of the windows and glass surfaces
A
ndreas Schipper looks at the
outstanding projects that initiated this trend including for example: ECO (1991 - Blohm & Voss) or VENUS
(2012 - Feadship, de Fries).
With an age difference of more than 20 years, both yachts are in separate worlds in the history of the development of yacht design, but what they have in common is the fact that large spectacular glass surfaces influence the exterior view and also create the unique feeling of space inside a yacht.
While ECO, which was launched more than three decades ago, was a very courageous and unique project at the time, now we are seeing more new launches utilising an increased area of glazing as well as the overall enlargement of individual panes in many yacht designs in recent years.
This trend was certainly initiated by
projects such as the VENUS mentioned above and is persistently recognisable in some yachts that have recently been handed over to their owners, such as: EXCELLENCE (2019-Abeking & Rassmussen), ARTEFACT (2019-Nobiskrug) or SOLARIS (2021 Lloyd Shipyard).
While the early drafts of yachts with large glass and window areas were initially restricted by production and technical possibilities of the glass industry, the industry today has a large portfolio of products for the manufacture of glazing for
146 | WINTER 2022 | ONBOARD
large luxury yachts thanks to the research and development and investment by those manufacturers.
Various types of interlayers have been developed, for example to increase the strength of laminated glass enabling the manufacture to create large panes while at the same time remaining relatively thin and light. Other innovations have increased sound insulation, provided fire protection, or improved sun protection through their colour.
In addition, there are many coatings that improve sun or heat protection and thanks to their individual visual appearance, are also ideally suited to complement the yacht’s appearance as initially drafted by the designer. A particular example of such a design is certainly the sailing yacht “A” (2017-Nobiskrug). A coating specially developed for this yacht reproduces the hull colour in such a way that the oval windows in the hull are initially barely noticeable, as requested by the designer.
The improved technical possibilities for the manufacture of glazing lead to the fact that exact expectations are placed on the technical and optical properties of the glazing and the visual appearance of the entire yacht. The glazing is no longer a transparent opening or required closure, but an essential design element.
Manufacturers can influence the
requirements for improved thermal insulation very effectively and uniformly by using neutral, invisible coatings in combination with inert gas fillings for insulating the glass without affecting the resulting aesthetics.
Some interlayers enable the production of very strong glazing, such as those required for use in the hull or as an underwater window. The processing of these materials requires a high degree of perfection, as
The colour or
the uniformity of the reflection are used as evaluation criteria.
Every processing step can influence the appearance of the glazing. A coloured reflective coating for example can have the desired effect on the visual appearance of glazing from the outside. However, it is possible that it will reduce the light transmission in such a way that the interior is perceived as too dark.
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