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55m Tankoa Loewe

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Taut lines, a minimal, sporty-tech aesthetic and spaces designed for transformation - Tankoa Yachts and LUCA DINI Design & Architecture have created a dynamic yacht with a forceful identity. Large open surfaces, fluid spaces and a close connection with the exterior generate an on-board experience that speaks of conviviality, comfort and freedom

by Paola Bertelli - ph. courtesy by Ocean Independence

ntended for charter but strongly influenced by its owner’s vision, Loewe is an interpretation of the T55 Sportiva by Tankoa Yachts, a vessel where design, technology and on-board enjoyment combine in a natural equilibrium. The configuration of spaces, large communal areas and the opportunity to transform the spaces throughout the day reflect a contemporary idea of how to experience the sea, a blend of social interaction, comfort and freedom of movement.

Interior and exterior design by Luca Dini Design & Architecture were created in close collaboration with Loewe, the high-end German brand known for its audio and video systems and whose name the yacht bears. More than a simple branding operation, this integration translates into a design affinity where essential shapes, discreet technology and attention to detail become part of a language that combines nautical design and the world of high tech. The brand’s minimal, rigorous aesthetic is reflected in the clean lines, balanced proportions and technical solutions that integrate naturally into the on-board spaces.

The Loewe is laid out over three decks plus a sundeck with sporty, dynamic profile, featuring lines that recall the automotive world. The outline displays a play of volumes with a series of sleek horizontal contours, inclined planes and vertical spaces, giving the yacht an aggressive yet elegant character. The extensive window areas visibly lighten the superstructures. On board, the relationship with the sea is physical, immediate. The beach area is the fulcrum – an oversize terrace on several levels with pool, linked to the main deck by two wide lateral staircases. The interior of the beach area offers a wellness zone with massage room, sauna, hammam and fitness equipment, lit by an evocative “Nemo window”, a large glazed area extending above and below the waterline, providing a view of the underwater world. At night, powerful submerged lights enhance the spectacular effect, transforming this area into a marine observation capsule.

The yacht’s social heart is the main deck cockpit, where the DJ console emphatically shows that this space is all about partying and entertainment. The floor of the pool can be raised to create a walkable surface that serves as a dancefloor when needed or a social area at other times. This ability to transform spaces without compromising on their identity is one of the Loewe’s distinctive traits.

The personality of the interiors is best described as “minimal sporty-tech”, with a monochromatic palette of greys, whites and black. The sharp contrasts, metallic finishes and technical fabrics recall the look of Loewe speakers. The iconic silvery ceiling floods the space in reflections. Its surface captures and multiplies the light, recreating the movement of water inside the yacht and generating an immersive perception of the spaces.

The saloon, professional kitchen and owner’s suite occupy the main area of the main deck. The lobby is the location for a circular staircase, partially open to the saloon, and a lift connecting the main deck to the upper and lower decks.

While the yacht is strongly oriented towards socialising, the owner requested an exclusively personal exterior space – on the starboard side suite is a private terrace with hydromassage pool, designed as a natural outdoor extension of the cabin. From here the owner has direct access to the forward and stern open-air spaces and to the upper deck, where the panoramic lounge opens out onto the sea through a large sliding window on three sides. The Loewe Iconic Inspire TV screen, a high-tech feature and architectural presence, imposes a sculptural dominance in the space. Outside, the dining area is a lounge space to aft, while forward, in front of the helm station, a forward-facing sofa becomes an exciting observation point when the yacht is under way.

A third pool, sunpad area, lounge and bar occupy the sundeck in a free, informal sequence, with loose furniture and modular sofas. Glass railings and pool sides preserve sightlines with the surrounding seascape. The dynamic character of the design emerges once again, enabling the yacht to adapt to a variety of events and guests without losing its identity. tankoa.it

With a length of 55 metres and an 8.75 metre beam, the Loewe has a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,000 miles at 11 knots. To side, the sea-level beach area with pool. Opening page, the main deck saloon. In the conversation area, Cassina sofas and Maxalto coffee table with the same reflective silvered metal finish as the ceiling

The large sliding windows and an extreme stylistic coherence between exteriors and interiors are the project’s distinctive features. The upper deck lounge –Minotti sofas, custom coffee table – opens onto the aft terrace with outdoor dining area (bottom, to side) with table for 12 by Kettal and Roda chairs. Top, to side, the main deck cockpit, designed as a natural open-air extension of the saloon

The Owner

Ihad been in touch with the Tankoa team for a while and had seen several projects, but it was only when I saw the T55 Sportiva on paper that I knew it was exactly the yacht I wanted. It offers an onboard experience that blends elegance, innovation and functionality, in line with my lifestyle and with the Loewe brand’s values.

Loewe is primarily conceived for the charter market, but at the same time it represents me. I really love Italian design, but my background and my designer are German, so we worked together with the shipyard to soften the typically German “business” look by incorporating elements inspired by Italian design brands and playing with reflections and marine colours, especially in the outdoor furniture and on the sundeck. The idea was to create a contemporary environment that feels refined and welcoming.

It was essential for me that the yacht reflected the values of the Loewe brand: innovation, essentiality and technology at the service of the experience. The yacht was envisioned as a modern and harmonious space where clean lines and highquality materials dialogue with discreetly integrated technology. The attention to detail, the functionality of the spaces and the attention to circulation reflect the same philosophy that defines Loewe products: intuitive, refined and never intrusive technology, fully integrated on board.

Personally, I enjoy the beach area and the aft cockpit. Next to the bar, I requested a DJ console to create a unique atmosphere where refined design meets conviviality and entertainment. The pool at the stern features a movable floor that rises to fill the basin, creating a continuous walkable surface that expands the usability of the deck and can turn into a dance floor. These are also features that stand out for charter.

Loewe promotes a clear statement: enjoying life in style, elegance and dynamism.

Exterior Design

Luca

Dini, LUCA DINI Design

&

Architecture

The Loewe is the second model launched by Tankoa in the T55 Sportiva series, a yacht with sporty, dynamic design. It comes in below 500 GT and has a light aluminium alloy superstructure

The design of the T55 Sportiva was inspired by the idea of combining the aerodynamic appeal of automotive design with modern, aggressive lines, a contemporary, informal way of experiencing the yacht. From the outset the concept was based on a desire to create a harmonious dialogue between interiors and exteriors, making every area fully liveable and existing in continuity with the sea. The Loewe brand was also an integral part of the project from the point of view of the language of shapes. The minimal aesthetic, elegant and without redundancies, is reflected in the hull lines and the upperworks profile, with clean surfaces and subtle transitions between the volumes. The study of the proportions between windows, terraces and masses helps create a sense of balance and visual lightness, enabling the yacht to project an imposing yet refined presence. The dynamic profile is defined by an innovative bow design, with a double angle that unites horizontality and verticality in a single sweeping gesture, giving the yacht a strong, immediately recognisable identity. One of the most distinctive elements is the large starboard side window positioned above and below the waterline, creating a sort of “Nemo Window” that provides a view of the undersea world. The owner’s cabin side terrace is a sizeable outdoor space that further enhances the continuity between interior and exterior. From a design point of view, one particularly challenging element was the top section of the upper deck windows, which curve towards the interior instead of following a vertical line. This detail boosts the aesthetic impact when viewed from the exterior and enhances the on-board experience. More generally, the aesthetic solutions are modelled around the owner’s requirements, with the aim of enabling the exterior spaces to be used to the full in an on-going dialogue that guided the overall layout from the earliest stages of the project.

The sundeck (top) is furnished with freestanding and modular items for maximum freedom of use. Loungers by Paola Lenti, sofa by Edra. Below, an aerial view highlights the extensive forward area for stowing tender and water toys

The terrace with hydromassage pool (above), connected to the owner’s suite (to side), is a private outdoor space requested by the owner. Below, left, one of the five guest cabins on the lower deck that reflect the minimalist language that defines the rest of the yacht. The integrated lights, create a floating effect that gives lightness to the interiors. Below, right, the main deck cockpit with bar unit serving the beach area below and lounge area (chairs and coffee table are by B&B, stools by Roda)

Interior Design / Carlotta Malatesta,

Head of Interior department at LUCA DINI Design & Architecture

The owner’s brief was very clear – to transpose the Loewe brand’s aesthetics and philosophy to a marine context. This led to a minimalist, rigorous approach with a masculine twist expressed through a monochrome palette of greys, whites and black with a play on sharp contrasts and pure volumes. They interiors were conceived as a contemporary, harmonious environment, where clean lines and high quality materials dialogue with discreetly integrated technological solutions. The link with the Loewe brand is also expressed through precise material choices, like the use of silvered metal for the surfaces and technical fabric that evokes the world of high technology and the brand’s speakers, creating a direct connection between nautical design and the brand’s identity. The coherence between exteriors and interiors was one of the key elements in the project. Using a shared colour palette we sought to blur the visual confines between the spaces, creating a constant, harmonious dialogue where every space flows naturally into the next. Light was also treated as an architectural element, provided by LED strips around the edges and built-in light units designed to separate the furnishings visually from the surfaces. A typical element in this approach is the sculptural lamp by Viabizzuno in the saloon – the CoppiBartali – whose chain system inspired by bicycle technology makes it possible to shape the light with personalisable geometries, blending art and engineering. Another significant feature is the spatial continuity in the skylounge. The ability to open the windows on three sides totally transforms the space, creating a total, uninterrupted connection between the interior and the marine horizon.

A night-time shot of the Loewe, a moment when the yacht reveals its most authentic nature, just before the party begins. The Ecolwave system has been installed on board the Loewe. This is a downsized electro-chlorination antifouling unit that operates in place of a copper anode system, removing harmful copper from the loop while augmenting protection against microfouling for the onboard seawater systems, with discharge reverting naturally into water and salt

Shipyard

For Tankoa, the Loewe is a conformation of the T55 Sportiva’s success. The fact it was sold at almost the same time as the first unit in the series shows that the market showed immediate interest in this line, which succeeds in interpreting contemporary trends while adapting itself to the requirements and lifestyle of the various owners. The Sportiva line, especially the T55, fully expresses the Tankoa philosophy – to fulfil the market requirements while maintaining a flexible, almost boutique approach. Every yacht has its own identity, with different configurations and stylistic cues, even when it concerns models that are part of a product line rather than one-off projects. The Loewe’s intended use as a charter yacht resulted in some very concrete design choices, like the six-cabin configuration for twelve guests and the presence of generous communal areas designed to encourage socialising. At the same time, the layout of the spaces ensures privacy and comfort, making the on-board experience a versatile one that is suitable for a wide range of target clients. The transformable spaces, now increasingly in demand on yachts of this size, also play a crucial role. The beach club and aft pool change function during the day, becoming relaxation areas, event platforms, a wellness area or an access point for the sea. This flexibility makes the T55 Sportiva especially attractive for high-end charters. From a construction point of view, the main challenge was to integrate a complex layout with crisp, highly distinctive exterior lines. This involved a significant engineering focus on aspects like engines, heights and full-height windows with complex curves. Dynamic, versatile, immersive – three words that describe the Loewe and combine in the beach club, where the relationship with the sea becomes direct and where the true spirit of the yacht is at its most intense.

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