As a writer, my goal is to simply capture the essence of each new superyacht that gets launched by sharing my feelings, opinions, and observations and insider knowledge too so you all can get a better understanding of just how much work, passion, money, time and artistry goes into each new superyacht that gets launched. But, when it comes to capturing the essence of where the future of superyacht design can go, my words might pale in comparison to the images of the 374-foot-long COSMOS that Lürssen just launched in Germany. In fact, Lürssen Group CEO Peter Lürssen is probably better at describing COSMOS than I am too.
“This is a rather special project to coincide with our 150th anniversary,” he says. “While it is true that as a custom shipyard, no two yachts that leave our halls are ever the same, there are some that leave an indelible mark on our history – COSMOS is undoubtedly one of those yachts.”
And thanks to COSMOS’s courageous and visionary owner’s desire to create something truly unique, her inspired architectural and interior design by Marc Newson has already set a new benchmark when it comes to superyacht design and construction. Marc Newson brought a fresh and daring perspective to the design that’s culminated in a sleek, sculptural and futuristic superyacht that’s unlike anything else.
“Working with an immensely creative client has enabled rare opportunities to push the boundaries,” Marc Newson comments. “Everything from the smallest detail to the silhouette – outside, inside, and everything in between – is our design. We have, therefore, been able to exploit and explore every creative possibility uninhibited. This liberating free rein afforded the project a joyful, organic evolution, one which resulted in a satisfying novelty and coherence, the aesthetic of which remains very much within our lexicon.”
One of the features that made me say “Wow” to myself when I first saw COSMOS’s glass-domed owner’s study. The study is quite feat of glass engineering developed by Lürssen that required them to bend large sections of thick glass, free of imperfections and with crystal clarity, to create the 360-degree panoramic views from atop the yacht.
The glass theme is maybe even more noticeable on the cabin deck, where a continuous glass band surrounds the entire upper level of the yacht. The glass-encased observation lounge located forward in the bow beneath the helipad is an innovatively distinctive design flex. While the open aft deck seamlessly blends the luxury of a swimming pool and Jacuzzi with lots of comfortable space for sunbathing.
Since COSMOS is also engineered for long-range, remote cruising the hull is reinforced to Ice Class 1D, enabling safe operation in light ice conditions. The owner is also committed to innovation, so COSMOS is also going to be used to a research installation of a methanol fuel cell that uses methanol to produce hydrogen, which is then converted into electricity.
I told you a picture is worth a 1,000 words, right?
Well, in the case of COSMOS, yes. But, not necessarily when it comes to an in-depth interview with Lürssen Group CEO Peter Lürssen.
Stay tuned to read my upcoming “Superyacht Influencer Interview” with him soon.