The breath-taking 120m mega yacht MAZU concept has been superbly penned by UK-based Matthew Trustam Design (MTD). Luxury motor yacht MAZU was developed purely as a concept to investigate the styling parameters of an ‘explorer’ type yacht.
New 120m mega yacht MAZU concept by Matthew Trustam Design - Image credit to Matthew Trustam Design Ltd 2014
There are many designs out there, the MTD’s own included, which encompass some aggressively radical designs. The term ‘explorer’ generally applies to vessels whose funnels/engine exhaust are forward of the vessel’s overall length, making it difficult to create the more general swept back silhouette of the typical yacht. MTD wanted to create something that was proportional, elegant and instantly recognisable without being radical, alienating or aggressive, a safe haven in which to venture to remote places, therefore the name Mazu seemed appropriate, the Chinese sea goddess, protector of seafarers and fisherman. And so the Mazu superyacht concept began.
Firstly the General Arrangement was developed to include all the elements that you would normally find on a yacht of this size. The Lower Deck comprises an aft lounge facing on to the swim platform, a full spa, beauty treatment room, a gym with its own fold down platform and bar lounge also with a fold down platform. The Main Deck has a vast aft exterior deck space with sunken pool. Forward of that is the full width Main Saloon and Dining area. And then again forward of this there are six well apportioned guest suites.
120m superyacht MAZU concept - Image credit to Matthew Trustam Design Ltd 2014
The aft area of the Upper Deck houses four more large guest suites and an aft lounge for guest use. The forward area comprises part of the Owners suite as it contains a private dining/meeting area, offi ce and observation lounge, all of which are connected by a private stair up to the Owners deck above. The Owners Deck comprises a forward facing Stateroom with panoramic views, his and hers dressing and bathrooms behind, plus a large private lounge aft. This deck also accommodates the 12m long lifeboat/tenders. The Bridge Deck is made up of the wheelhouse, ship’s office, captain’s office, meeting room and captain’s cabin, as well as the Helipad aft.
Having developed a working General Arrangement it seemed obvious that the front of the MAZU yacht concept should have a solid, simple, almost workmanlike aesthetic, with the ability to face any sea; whilst the rear superstructure, the most viewed area from the deck by the Owner and Guests, should take on a more elegant, sophisticated sculptural form. It was then a simple question of marrying the two together.
Luxury motor yacht MAZU concept - Exterior - Image credit to Matthew Trustam Design Ltd 2014
The plan lines of the forward superstructure have a purity in their simple half circular design, whilst the hull has a reversed knuckle line giving the forward bow a reinforced appearance. The double shoulder of the Owners and Bridge decks aff orded me the space needed to accommodate the lifeboat/ tenders which are neatly tucked away behind the side bulwarks. They also added a kind of muscle to the design which seemed appropriate. These combings then run seamlessly aft integrating the simplicity of the forward superstructure with the elegance of the aft decks.
The rear of the 120m luxury yacht MAZU concept has an added design feature in the striking stainless steel ’shark teeth’ which support the extended tips of the outboard deck combings and add a touch of drama to the aft decks, whose wide open spaces could be optimised for the outdoor enjoyment of whale-watching, sunbathing, entertaining and al fresco dining – in fact everything you would expect from an explorer vessel of this luxurious size and style.
MAZU Yacht Concept - Image credit to Matthew Trustam Design Ltd 2014
About Matthew Trustam Design
Matt’s career in yacht design started in 1988 when he joined Terence Disdale Design, at the time a small consultancy, but an emerging player in the world of yacht design. It was a tight team and Matt quickly became involved in all aspects of the design process. Projects ranged in diversity over the years from the 36 metre sailing yacht Taramber, built at Pendennis shipyard in Cornwall, to bench mark motor yachts such as Tigre D’Or, the first MCA compliant yacht.
In 1998, as newly appointed Senior Designer and Company Director, Matt oversaw the design and build of 115m mega yacht Pelorus, a yacht that was to put TDD on the map as one of the most prominent and highly regarded design offi ces in the industry. The demand for larger yachts was on the increase and as the size and complexity of the projects grew at TDD, so did the regulation requirements and the experience needed to run such projects. The culmination of this experience reached new heights in 2010, with Matt overseeing the design, project management and delivery of the SOLAS compliant 162 metre mega yacht Eclipse.
Matt’s design flair, calm approach and dogmatic attention to detail have earned him a tremendous amount of respect within the industry. These attributes have been invaluable while handling the construction process of projects of such enormity as MY Eclipse, superyacht Topaz, luxury yacht Ice, motor yacht Kogo and MY Pelorus as well as the smaller, but no less presigious yacht Sussuro (50m) and superyacht Tigre D’Or (52m).
Matt set up Matthew Trustam Design in the summer of 2012. The company is a husband and wife team, with Lucy Trustam, also a designer for over 20 years experience, handling the purchasing side fo the business along with management and marketing. Matt is also supported in his work by a core team of industry associates.
