Winds of change
Dutch superyacht builder Oceanco has unveiled Aeolus, a 131-metre concept that takes luxury and sustainability to its core.
09 March 2023
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With her striking contours, elegant lines and lofty ambitions toward sustainable luxury of the future, Oceanco’s new concept Aeolus certainly turned some heads at her unveiling during the Dubai International Boat Show in March.
Designed to be a floating sanctuary offering private retreat or platform for shared moments with family and favoured friends, the 131-metre concept includes a private owner’s oasis and a layout that allows for seamless transitioning between destinations and modes of living.
Named for the Greek god of wind, Aeolus’s sculpted superstructure certainly calls to mind delicate lines honed by the natural flow of air. Her lines come from renowned car designer Giles Taylor, and balance masculine presence with feminine curves that, says Oceanco, feature at their heart a reference to the classic J Class sailing yachts of the early 20th century.
“Aeolus’s design sculpture is harmonious and borne of the function and flow envisaged for her future owner,” says Taylor. “Her curves do not make her overly feminine because there is a masculine quality to her bold, forthright architecture.
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“Other than the deck surfaces themselves, not one surface is flat or brutally geometric, which provides a unique aesthetic that sets Aeolus apart.”
The concept aims to achieve more than just wow with her looks, however – Aeolus shows full alignment with Oceanco’s NXT initiative, a collaborative commitment to the future that brings together experts from different industries to offer yacht owners a way to live better while also respecting the oceans.
“The collaboration and innovation resulting in the Aeolus design have been remarkable,” comments Marcel Onkenhout, Oceanco’s CEO. “As our newest Oceanco NXT design, she is an example of how we envisage the evolution of yachting, from the perspectives of both her design and technology.
“To build the yachts of tomorrow, we need to leave behind the preconceptions of yesterday. With Aeolus, I think we have achieved that.”
At the heart of the project is a move toward more sustainable materials that show luxury and ecological sensitivity are not mutually exclusive concepts. Hardwood floors are replaced with floors made from crushed marble and quartz, originally waste materials. The interior will also feature Desserto, a premium vegan leather alternative that is made from climate-positive cactus plants. Linens will be sourced from Oliveri Homes, which works exclusively with Global Organic Textile Standard cottons and which uses non-toxic dyes and processes.
“Organic nature, sensual being and playfulness played a big part of Aeolus’s design, bringing that exterior language to her interior for a soft and cocooning feeling,” says Sarah Colbon, Co-founder of Njord, the yachting arm of Bergman Design House and the interior designers for the project.
“Every element has been rigorously considered, including sourcing and traceability of materials and working with some of the world’s most innovative artisans in biomaterials and sustainable development.”
The accommodation offers a private owner’s deck, with a bar and relaxation area located above. One deck down, the upper deck, is home to the master suite with its unobstructed panoramic vistas, plus a stunning sunken bath and private seating nook for quiet contemplation. The aft part of the upper deck is given over to a multifunctional space for relaxing, dining with guests or hosting a business function.
The main deck features a stylishly integrated pool and lounging area to the stern with stairs descending to the beach club. The first point of entry on Aeolus is the main deck lounge, with a staircase leading up to an inner atrium, which offers a place to dine, meet day guests and host drinks receptions or business gatherings.
Two guest suites are situated forward on the main deck, adjacent to a gym and exterior atrium, which is open from above and provides far-reaching views to both sides, right next to the ocean.
Two VIP suites and two guest suites are located on the lower deck, a short walk from the expansive and multifunctional beach club with its flanking fold-down terraces. All decks are connected by a central feature elevator and staircase that effortlessly extend down to the beach club, where tenders await to transport you and your guests ashore.
Together with Aeolus’s technical partners ABB & MTU, Oceanco and Lateral Naval Architects have developed the Energy Transition Platform (ETP), an adaptable architecture to enable a future-proofed pathway to net zero. Configured to the latest diesel-electric architecture today, in her final ‘end state’ Aeolus would be configured with a 100-percent alternative fuel hybrid of fuel cells and internal combustion power generation.
Critically, during her lifespan, a pre-strategised and intermediate upgrade can be implemented, dependent upon the advancement and commercial availability of technology.
“Any yacht built today will have to span the energy transition, a period of significant change in available fuel types and associated technologies,” comments James Roy, Managing Director of Lateral Naval Architects.
“This demands an adaptable technical architecture that can accommodate the alterations to layout, configuration and specifications needed to integrate future technologies and alternative fuels in the least invasive way possible.
“Lateral and Oceanco have developed the ETP to ensure multiple technical pathways can be pursued as technologies mature during the energy transition timeline.”
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