[ MEGAYACHT ]
by Paola Bertelli- ph. MDL Photographer Marco Di Lorenzo
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Clean lines, lots of light, contemporary colours, warm, generous spaces designed for total relaxation. The Permare yard has taken on the difficult challenge of creating a voluminous 35.5-metre sport yacht that’s also a testbed for new features that aim to give a practical boost to achieving a more sustainable nautical sector
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esign, environmental awareness and a circular economy are interweaving themes on board the Amer 120 Neva, a refined superyacht with technological and engineering solutions based on the research and innovation that the yard has been engaged in for many years, with the aim of making its yachts more environmentally respectful. Made by the Permare yard with interiors by Stefano Tini, exteriors by Andrea Ramasco and naval architecture by Massimo Verme, this yacht has an unusual history – the owner ordered it on the day his Amer 100 was launched, so the yard has made two boats in sequence for the same owner. The heart of the design is the huge structural metal and glass cage on the main deck supporting the fly bridge, replacing the classic fibreglass superstructure in order to limit the use of this material as recycling it at end of life is a complicated process. This framework, which becomes an architectural element that emphasises the materials choice, hosts a 60-square-metre full beam saloon with dining and conversation areas. The white furniture and ceilings render the space bright and fresh, while mirrored surfaces multiply the reflections from the sea entering through the huge, 97-square-metre expanse of glass. One example of the circular economy and evidence of respect towards a prized wood under threat of disappearance is the flooring of vintage teak recovered from farmhouses and cut into strips. Beside the dining area are two recessed terraces, two delightful, sheltered open-air niches. The saloon is closed by a partition with a wine cabinet that becomes a furnishing element. The owner’s suite located forward reflects the style and materials of the saloon – here, as throughout the yacht, rounded corners, steel inserts and an interplay of shiny and matt finishes generate movement, as does the special bed head in varnished cellulose, an example of the type of solution obtained by using a simple, natural material. Four guest cabins are located on the lower deck, all identical as the yacht is intended for the charter market. An extreme symmetry dominates here, softened by dancing reflections. The colours are neutral and the style is sober but not minimal. On-board flows are managed by the interior staircase connecting the three decks – a disguised door on an intermediate level between lower and main deck provides access to the crew area – and two symmetrical staircases leading from the cockpit to the flybridge and bows. These stairs make a distinctive addition to the yacht’s architectural elements. As in the interiors, the furniture and upholstery are in bright white, and the two open-air teak and resin tables are made by an artisanal workshop. There are two lounges on the flybridge, both with hydromassage pool. The evocative infinity pool forward merges seamlessly into the sea beyond. The metal structure and its huge glazed surfaces also shape the exterior design. The yacht retains the sporty character of Amer builds, resembling a wedge launched across the surface of the sea, an effect generated by the main deck window strip running from bow to stern and a superstructure suspended over the hull at the bows. These two elements create a single yet twofold volume, with the flybridge seeming to float above the hull. Neva holds the record for the largest yacht powered by four 1000hp Volvo IPS engines, providing outstanding performance with a top speed of 28 knots and reduced consumption. This propulsion choice is a quiet solution with minimal vibration and the compact design of the Volvo IPS has made it possible to create a smaller engine room, an additional crew cabin and extra space for on-board toys. https://ameryachts.it
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On the main deck, two recessed balconies open out beside the dining area of the wide-body saloon. With a length of 35.5 metres and a beam of 7.40 metres, Neva is the flagship of the Permare yard. Opening, in the spacious lounge forward of the fly deck, with sofas, sunpads and infinity pool, the absence of visual barriers in front creates an extraordinary connection with the sea
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The interiors and exteriors share the same contemporary style and colour palette. The two symmetrical staircases in the main deck cockpit (left) become an architectural element. The tables for open-air dining on both the main and fly deck (right) are in teak and resin. In the saloon (the two photos below) the mirrored finishes that highlight the metal cage multiply the sea’s reflections; the recycled teak flooring
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Exterior Design Andrea Ramasco
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orking with Permare and the Amerio family means collaborating with sea-lovers who always present new challenges and stimulating input. The concept behind the Amer 120 Neva hinges on large volumes and above all on the wide-body main deck solution, unprecedented on a fast yacht of this type. In all my designs I trace as few lines as possible from bow to stern, I seek out an extreme simplicity of form. In my opinion, when there are 3-4 lines on a bulwark then it’s too many. Clean lines may exert a less immediate impact but they are timeless and never become boring.
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For the Amer 120 I’ve tried to create a harmonious shape to cover these enormous volumes, retaining the brand’s trademark sporty lines. The main deck terraces helped me a great deal in giving movement to the side of the yacht. Another key factor in the project is the steel and cage-like structure that technologically-speaking enabled me to create a superstructure that seen from the outside seems to float above the hull. It’s very similar to an aircraft fuselage with very sleek lines. The flybridge is immense, and to protect it from the wind and for greater privacy we’ve inserted those “side eyes”, a double curve whose function is both aesthetic and practical.
As well as the floor-to-ceiling glazed bulwarks, the solution adopted in the bows, where the superstructure does not rest directly on the hull, reinforces the impression of lightness and movement that Neva communicates under way and at mooring
One of my favourite areas on board is the unusual saloon, inspired by sail yacht interiors, in the cockpit behind the glass door. It’s a sheltered, intimate spot where it’s possible to enjoy the sailing experience. Our original intention was to open out the cockpit to the stern, but the owner wanted a large sunpad behind the sofas. There’s still plenty of contact with the sea, though – the beach club created by opening the garage door is a very functional, comfortable space and the lounge with infinity pool forward is another lovely area – not only is the forward wall made of glass but absence of visual barriers to the front makes it even more scenic and connected to the water.
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Interior Design Stefano Tini
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he owners of the Amer 120 Neva handed me a rather generalised brief. They wanted a light, bright, convivial vessel that provided a trouble-free on-board experience. Almost a free hand, in fact! Covid restrictions meant we weren’t able to meet very often, but we were often in touch to exchange renderings, images and so on. I also worked on the owners’ previous yacht, the Amer F100. Two very different projects. Not only is Neva wider, longer and brighter but I also took literally their request for light spaces, very different from the décor on the previous yacht with medium dark shades and generous use of walnut. The Amer 120’s engineering design, size and emphasis on natural light made my job relatively easy – I complied with the specifications, creating spaces that would encourage relaxation. I didn’t want to include showy elements that could distract attention, preferring a decor that’s easy to comprehend, with light colours, windows and mirrors that reflect and multiply the images. As is my usual practice, I also went for an enduring style – the owner should feel at home on the yacht now and in the future. As for on-board materials, there are many solutions inspired by nature - the recovered teak used for the saloon flooring gives off that distinctive old wood aroma, and walking on it is like strolling along on a beach. This also resulted in the choice of combining mink-coloured and white oak and turquoise details, which reflect the marine environment that the large windows bring into the interiors. The extensive glazed areas simplify our work as architects, as does the choice of full-beam interiors. It’s on a much larger scale than on similar yachts and with all the side windows it generates that incredible feeling of living sheer above the sea.
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Five guest cabins, with the owner’s suite (above) on the main deck and four bright, spacious twin guest cabins on the lower deck, with sliding door into the bathroom giving depth to the space by extending the perspective. To side, the corridor and a play of mirrors on the lower deck
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Neva is the first example of the Amer 120 series to be launched. Four 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS engines power the yacht to a cruising speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 28 knots
The Shipyard Barbara Amerio, CEO Permare
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eglassing” is a word we at Permare coined to describe the work we’ve been doing for many years now to reduce the amount of fibreglass on board. The Amer 120 is evidence of this. The metal and steel box on the main deck embodies an innovative construction method that has enabled us to save four tonnes of fibreglass, showing that by replacing composite with recyclable materials we can make vessels with a smaller environmental impact. We work closely with our owners to encourage them to select materials with knowledge and awareness. On Neva, for example, we’ve emphasised natural, simple yet green finishes – recovered teak, ecoleather instead of leather, materials derived from the waste products of corn processing, and the owners’ bed is in cellulose. The yacht is an accurate representation of our mood, with sporty lines, extremely high quality, refined but not exaggerated design and very liveable spaces, like the seamless flow created by the cockpit and saloon, a huge space developing on a single level. With the Amer 120 we wanted, in the words of our supplier-poet Paolo Giuli, “To write a new demarcation between the sea and the yacht’s spaces, the largest possible and pursuing the invisible…a play of light and interiors, brighter than we could have hoped. Our work, though, deliberately went no further than the outlines, allowing all our clients to write on the sea the most beautiful novel they have ever read - their own life!” We’ve also paid great attention to details and choices that highlight Italian artisanal skills. For example, we commissioned Italian artisans to work the recovered teak and make the teak and resin tables for the exteriors and the wine cellar in the saloon, all of which help generate a pleasant conviviality. From a technical point of view we’ve been very careful about the amount and distribution of weight. Although the cage is heavier than the alternative in composite we managed to reduce the overall weight – 120 tonnes isn’t a lot for this kind of yacht and this is reflected by the remarkably low consumption figures, also made possible by the efficient Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system.
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