At the beginning of December, 2011 we have posted an article about an interdisciplinary design consulting firm I3D Inc. (In3Design), which specialises in lighting design for luxury yachts. Designers focus on the unique identity and atmosphere of the given space, how it communicates with people, and how it changes to suit their needs. While almost every other detail is customized on yachts, lighting is frequently ignored. When the sun sets and the lights are turned on, one discovers the most generic illumination, often provided by outdated lighting technologies.
Lurssen Superyacht Pacific - Photo credit to Martin Groothuis
On most modern yachts, very little stands out at nighttime. They are undefined masses looking like ‘black-holes’ from shore when moored in a bay. The hours that exterior stylists spend on creating signature shapes disappear into darkness and are not represented at all. Private residences and restaurants often have more unique lighting than multi-million dollar yachts.
Emotional and unique approaches to yacht lighting create subtle moods and add both pleasure and value to a yacht by reflecting an owner’s personality. These lighting techniques put a signature stamp on form and function, adding sophistication to luxury. I3D sees the untapped potential for stunning new lighting designs for luxury yachts.
Interior lighting designed by I3D for super yacht PACIFIC - Images courtesy of I3D and Lurssen
Beatrice Witzgall’s passion for performance sailing, combined with her lighting expertise, allows her to understand the opportunities that lie beyond the traditional lighting approaches. This combination leads to a deeper understanding of the practical challenges and requirements of yachts as far as realizing their design potential and opportunities.
At this point, I3D has worked on numerous yachts ranging from some of the most high-profile and prominent superyacht launches to high performance catamarans. I3D involvement ranges from full lighting design services, to technical consultancies, to support in architectural design aspects and development of graphics. I3D has worked extensively with many acclaimed designers such as Bannenberg-Rowell, Reymond Langton, German Frers and shipyards such as Luerssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, Nobiskrug, Hodgdens and Gunboat.
Super yacht Pacific in Harbour of Kiel - Photo courtesy of Ferdinand Rogge
Luxury yacht projects that are included in I3D’s portfolio:
85m Lurssen motor yacht Pacific
PROJECT TEAM “JOSI”:
Delivery: November 2010
Interior: Bannenberg Rowell
Exterior: German Frers
Awards: Finalist for Superyacht Awards 2011 – Judges’ Commendation in the ‘BEST DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHT OF 1,300GT TO 2,999GT’
LIGHTING STATEMENT:
For PACIFIC, the owner’s brief was clear: “impress & surprise us showing something that hasn’t been done before on any yacht.” Therefore, I3D had the amazing opportunity to implement many of our unique design visions into this outstanding project. All spaces were defined by different light settings for the various user scenarios. Integrated lighting accentuated the multitude of complex materials and textures; and the complex and outstanding architectural design details. A mood-altering color scheme linked interior with exterior spaces and created a fluent spatial experience. Together, these and other innovative lighting features created PACIFIC’s unique signature look, pushing the envelope for innovative lighting design and setting a new industry standard.
60ft Gunboat catamaran Phaedo with Architectural Layout / Graphic / Lighting by I3D - Photos Levin Trautmann / Team Phaedo
PROJECT DETAILS “6604”:
Delivery: October 2010
Shipyard: Gunboat, South Africa
Project Manager: Paul Hand
Architectural Layout / Graphic / Lighting: I3D, inc.
Client: Lloyd Thornburg
Awards: 2011 Best Boats: Flagship Multihull
This catamaran truly pushed the envelope and redefined what a fully equipped “performance cruising boat” nowadays can mean. Not only did it apply race boat technology, pushing weight
and performance to the limit without compromising or sacrificing luxury life-style elements in a highly designed loft-type space, but it also rethought every system, detail, and technological
addition. The result is a custom, modern, cleanly-designed, stylish and open penthouse space that has every feature of a fast, light-weight performance racing yacht. This 66’ Gunboat catamaran is equal in many aspects to an over 100’ Super Yacht in terms of space, speed, performance, and quality of finishes. However, it is optimized in terms of crew, maintenance costs, fuel, and energy savings. It sets new standards for catamarans, bringing the possibilities to a new level. This project represents I3D as truly an interdisciplinary firm with scope ranging from architectural layout to the styling and branding including graphics and the lighting design.
Lurssen mega yacht Pacific - Photo courtesy of Ferdinand Rogge
YACHTS – other design services: architectural design & GRAPHICS
• architectural design
I3D – In3Design are a strong believer in an integrated design approach that combines backgrounds and bridges disciplines, using a comprehensive understanding of a situation in order to create
new insights and see new potentials. Relying on their strong background in architecture, they created for PHAEDO an open loft-style modern space for this usually cluttered platform yacht. I3D focused on creating clean lines, alignments, and a continuity of space that connects the inside to the outside in order to create a seamless spatial experience.
• BOAT GRAPHICS & LOGOS
With I3D’s strong understanding of the various design disciplines, they understand the underlying design principles, concepts and themes enabling them to develop a representative brand. The graphics should strengthen and accentuates the identity and have a unique, but specific character. Graphics should reflect the overall design principles of the project.
YACHTS – I3D’s confidential projects that make part of their portfolio
LIGHTING design CONSULTANCY – UNDISCLOSED details : I3D respect their clients wishes to keep project details confidential! Yacht projects are a combination of high-end individualized residential spaces with a strong hospitality aspect. Yacht projects deal technically with very challenging conditions. Their involvement extends from interior to exterior lighting, in which they specifically focus on creating a strong signature look. Due to the character of the industry, I3D unfortunately can’t share or disclose further project details and images of their work despite having had the great opportunity to work on some outstanding and unique designs. Some, but not all, of their yacht projects, are listed below.
Design proposals:
• EXTERIOR DESIGN for a very large Megayacht
Designer / Shipyard: N/A – confidential
• EXTERIOR DESIGN for a large Megayacht
Designer / Shipyard: N/A – confidential
FULL DESIGN SCOPE
• 24.5m M/Y exterior lighting
Designer / Shipyard: N/A – confidential / USA
Delivery: November 2010
• 78m A&R #6492 – mega yacht Amaryllis – Full Interior & Exterior
Designer: Reymond Langton Design
Shipyard: Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany
Delivery: Summer 2011
• 149’ explorer yacht – Interior & Exterior
Shipyard: N/A / USA
Delivery: 2011
TECHNICAL LIGHTING CONSULTANCY:
• 78m A&R mega yacht TITAN
Designer: Reymond Langton Design
Shipyard: Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany
Delivery: Summer 2010
• 74m M/Y #783 mega yacht Graffiti
Designer: Reymond Langton Design
Shipyard: Nobiskrug
