Photo: Vasile Sfarnaciuc / Francesco Ramasso / Gianluca Salemi / Mirco Mari
Brutalist and raw. These are words that have been used to describe the Spectra, the 110-foot superyacht concept we have before us today, and frankly, there’s no better description to tell the world what this concept brings to the table. Oh, and even though it’s just an idea, it is one that was submitted as a thesis paper on yacht design.
As a thesis and the work of students, Spectra stands as a vessel that explores countless design traits and cues that the yachting industry hasn’t quite had the brass or means to execute in real life; the essence of a concept.
Overall, four different designers worked on Spectra, granting us a view into a machine that not only shakes up the industry, if only from a visual perspective, but one that expresses a certain balance in terms of styling, how the interior interacts with the interior, and most importantly, how such a ship would make its guests feel.
Photo: Vasile Sfarnaciuc / Francesco Ramasso / Gianluca Salemi / Mirco Mari
It all starts off with the brutalist exterior design that makes it feel as though we’re looking at a sort of Cybertruck of the seas. This sharp and blocky look is one that the industry doesn’t call upon often, if ever, and it’s this lack of curvature to the hull and superstructure that give the Spectra its unique look.
Spectra is also built around a raised pilot house design, but unlike traditional ones that offer a clear view of the bow of the ship, Spectra places emphasis on the sides and rear of this feature. Sure, the bow is visible, but it’s the rear and sides with 270 degrees of view that really stand as a unique approach to the idea, and one we may just see integrated into a real ship; it’s that cool.
Just picture yourself inside this glass cocoon, hanging out with your best friends, and enjoying the view of the world outside with a glass of aged whiskey and cigar in hand, if you smoke and drink, that is. Maybe you’re just enjoying a Virgin Bloody Mary. Whatever it is you’re doing here, this is the place to do it. Think of the Instagram posts you’ll be able to make from here.
Photo: Vasile Sfarnaciuc / Francesco Ramasso / Gianluca Salemi / Mirco Mari
Furthermore, there are two levels here. The upper one offers a U-shaped lounge where we can sit around a fire sipping on whatever it is our imagination allows for; a retractable bimini allows for the fire pit, and a bar is located on this level. The lower level, however, is left clear of objects, inviting us to stand while staring off at the port you just left or walking out on that veranda.
Personally, this whole atrium-like space is one that we’ve seen expressed in concepts before, and while some have carried very wild shapes, some that are borderline impossible to execute in real life, the simplicity in the design of Spectra’s wheelhouse is one that may just be achievable in the real world.
Underneath this space, Spectra showcases an outdoor area that is protected from sunlight by the ceiling created by the outdoor lounge above, and at the very rear of the main deck, a gorgeous beach club extends its arms with lounge pads that the full beam of the ship. It’s also accessible from the deck above by two lateral staircases that connect the two levels.
Photo: Vasile Sfarnaciuc / Francesco Ramasso / Gianluca Salemi / Mirco Mari
The only other outdoor space that must be taken into view is found at the front of Spectra. In front of that wheelhouse that I drooled over for a few paragraphs, we can see four lounge chairs leading to the bow of the ship. However, this is a pretty normal feature, and what really stands out here is the jacuzzi that we can just stroll into from a session of lounging and cooking in the sun.
All that brings us inside, a space that the designers of Spectra continue to endow with minimalist looks. However, there’s a bit more color in the interior of the ship, brought to light with tones of grey that are balanced with blues, whites, blacks, cream, and those transparent red panels used to separate some of the areas the main lounge places at our disposal.
Photo: Vasile Sfarnaciuc / Francesco Ramasso / Gianluca Salemi / Mirco Mari
I do want to point out that the designer also chose to sacrifice stateroom space for larger lounges and dining areas, but that doesn’t mean that the bedrooms are lacking in luxury and awe in any way. One room that is brought to light is the master bedroom, which looks tight from a north to south perspective, but from east to west, it appears as though things go on forever. The massive glass sidewalls give this impression.
Now, ships this large, 110 feet (33.5 m), to be precise, has room for some toys, and the deck layout of Spectra does reveal a tender and a garage with crane too, so jet skies are clearly on the menu for this one if it ever turns into a real millionaire toy. Until then, it’s stand as an exploration into a yacht that’s a bit different than what the industry typically offers, and if I may, a very attractive one at that. The Cybertruck wishes it looked this good.
