S E A H O R S E
I S S U E
•
n° 2 6
•
2 0 2 1
[ MEGAYACHT ]
110
Brimming with surprises and the creative joint effort of two masters of design: Ken Freivokh (exteriors) and Vincenzo De Cotiis (interiors), it is one of the most fascinating Azimut Yachts. Because this is not a no-holdsbarred superyacht but a 25m displacement yacht designed to deliver long luxurious cruising with art a seamless part of the living space by Marta Gasparini - ph. courtesy of Azimut Yachts
111
othing is quite as it first seems aboard the new 25m from the
The Magellano 25 Metri is a
Magellano Collection. This first yacht to be developed with
semi-displacement yacht that
architect, designer and artist Vincenzo De Cotiis has a timeless
encapsulates the concept
and slightly surreal ambience. World-renowned for artwork
of slow, silent navigation in
that turns rough, raw materials into poetry, the maestro’s
absolute comfort at a speed
elegant stylistic approach here combines the likes of recovered
of 21 knots. Opening page,
fibreglass, stone and wood.
entering the Magellano 25 is
The 25 Metri’s exteriors are the work of Ken Freivokh, already very much at home
a unique experience. Guests
with Azimut having penned the very first model in the range, the Magellano 74.
come aboard and then arrive
There are many striking elements to be impressed by, not least the glazed
in an enormous open plan area
superstructure, the teak louvres at the end of the panoramic windows, signature
bathed in magical natural light,
Freivokh styling elements that personalise the aft section of the deckhouse, the
that itself opens seamlessly
spiral stairs leading up to the fly, the carbon fibre hard top surmounted by a single
into the aft cockpit creating an
central element, the retro styling of the hull windows, and the cockpit that offers
infinity terrace
unobstructed views thanks to transparent bulwarks. The whole concept of “art onboard” in the interiors is taken to a new level. Forget about the saloons, cabins and suites you’ve seen before. These spaces are completely and utterly different. Entering the Magellano’s interiors is a unique experience. Guests are instantly immersed in a rarefied atmosphere with the sophisticated taste and ambience of a much larger craft. Freivokh has produced a stunning shell with the raised steering position/wheelhouse to create generous spaces and ensure a seamless transition between his work and that of interior designer and artist, De Cotiis. It was to this master of elegance and art that the yard entrusted the bare shell to imagine as he would. The result is a very particular stylistic language that takes its lead from concepts such as waves and the sea, resulting in soft forms that start at the entrance to the saloon and lead forward from there. This sense of spaciousness is emphasised and obtained by unbroken views not just from stern to stem but also beyond to the horizon. Wherever a bulkhead was required to separate spaces and provide requisite privacy (as this is a yacht with a private space for everyone, after all), it has been cleverly disguised with mirrors which also draw light and views of the sea in from the exterior. De Cotiis has worked hard to pair up materials with different finishes such as the wainscoting in the saloon which has been given an unusual twist: the clean white lacquer work has been edged in brass and topped with fibreglass – a very unexpected material in this context but one he has always used in his work. In fact, the designer reuses fibreglass as a decorative leitmotif aboard a fibreglass yacht, finding unusual ways to apply it and different lamination processes to those adopted in shipyards. It even reappears around the portholes to bring out the boat’s ‘bones’ or frame with a rougher version also used as a finish. The materials are deliberately crafted to reveal their natural imperfections. In fact, De Cotiis loves the patina created by age, for instance. And retreats from perfection. This is true of the grooved wood in the master stateroom, which has been given a coat of white paint that, rather than covering it, actually reveals its beauty. The bedside tables look like metal but are actually wood painted using a technique that not only makes them look like metal but feel like it to the touch too.
www.azimutyachts.com
112
113
Above, the living area seen from the stern: Vincenzo De Cotiis has imbued fibreglass with new nobility as an innovative design element. Here it has been handcrafted (see coffee tables) in several layers and enhanced with bronze powder to yield parchment-coloured surfaces
114
The styling strategies used on the main deck continue on the lower deck where there are four staterooms: two VIPs (below left), a double and a cabin with twin sliding beds (opposite page) as well as the master suite (above). Clever atmospheric optical effects abound, especially a cloud-like artistic effect
115
Exterior Design Ken Freivokh
T
he Magellano 25 Metri is a true ‘live aboard’ yacht that embraces the concept of slow, very comfortable cruising. It is designed to be used in all weathers, to explore new destinations, not only to go from A to B, but also to enjoy the journey! Its panoramic windows, generous headroom, wide, comfortable spaces and all the necessary facilities are designed to enjoy extended cruising with family. That is the real ‘raison d’être’ of the Magellano range, and
116
the 25 Metri was designed fully in line with that purpose. The glazed superstructure is evidence of its panoramic windows and the fact that you can enjoy sea and sky views from most areas of the yacht. The essential characteristics are very careful attention to detail, correct proportions, open plan spaces. Details such as the wood louvres at the end of the panoramic windows provide a considered conclusion to the glazed surfaces, introducing the open and very comfortable cockpit. Frameless windows, purity of line and evident overall sense of purpose add to the yacht’s personality too. The palette of materials, colours and details are all indicative of its timeless design. The hull is as purposeful as the superstructure – it is a semi-displacement hull, which makes it extremely versatile, and able to navigate by piercing the waves and choppy sea at comfortable displacement speeds. The De Cotiis design reinforces the concept of a truly open interior, with long sightlines, continuity of surfaces and honest expression of materials. The result is a timeless, purposeful and elegant yacht to be owned by seafaring customers who love beauty and the sea. With generous, well-ventilated internal spaces and really handsome external guest areas at the flybridge, foredeck and aft cockpit, inviting guests to spend most of their time outside. The Magellano is thus a place people will choose to be and that is no mean feat in these pandemic times.
The Magellano 25 Metri also has a strikingly unusual design created by nautical genius Ken Freivokh’s sublimely timeless lines. The entirely glazed superstructure was a central element of the design and creates the ambience of a seafaring penthouse. This is the perfect yacht not just for cruising but also caters to the current trend of bringing man and nature closer together, thanks in great part to a transom that opens out to the sea
117
118
Interior Design Vincenzo De Cotiis
W
hen I saw the boat I realised that it might be a project that would inspire me and also allow me to pour my experience into the interior. We dealt with the problems that arose with the Azimut Yachts technicians, first and foremost being the limited spaces. This is why I focused on perspectives, making the spaces seem bigger by using interplays of mirrors and light, whilst also retaining the yacht’s power and form. We began with the concept of a wave. Starting with the colour teal blue, which is reminiscent of deep sea, we used a lot of wood and white, typical of yachting, as well as elements that referenced the movement of the sea. Light plays a fundamental role in creating the particular atmosphere I am talking about: specifically natural light which is used to the maximum thanks to the boat’s large apertures but also thanks to great depth of perspective. Furthermore, my work, which is very close to contemporary art and design, is essentially synesthetic. I love an approach that stimulates all the senses: sight is the first, but oftentimes the interpretation of the work involves touch and sound too. That’s why I chose materials that create powerful, new tactile sensations. The materials and woods used include: brushed Verde Alpi marble, dark walnut, polished brass, lacquered and ribbed wood. That also meant leaving imperfections in the details so that they retain their natural quality. I don’t want to remove the signs of time because I feel that they can enrich the end result, giving them new energy and a new meaning. So I go looking for imperfection which I then tend to highlight. I use a lot of fibreglass in my artwork. It is a basic component in yacht building too, which I have elevated and turned into a design element, pairing it with more luxe materials. I wanted to add some pieces, such as the chairs, the occasional tables in the lounge and the large table in the main saloon. That said, I do tend to keep my twin souls – the artist and the architect – quite separate. In this project, the design side came more to the fore. The most significant area, which is also my favourite, is the main saloon because it best represents that striving for depth. We tried not to impose physical limits and barriers on the gaze to allow it wander all the way to the bow. The space feels like it is expanded, thanks to a flowing design that references that idea of the wave, the movement of the sea also translated into the interiors to emphasise man’s relationship with the surrounding environment.
Every single piece of furniture aboard was bespoke-designed by Vincenzo De Cotiies and has an organic feel and shape. The Magellano 25 Metri’s furniture and décor feature striking combinations of fibreglass for surfaces and furniture with wood and other materials including brushed green Verde Alpi , dark walnut, carpeting, polished brass, lacquered wood and grooved wood to produce attractive and original contrasts
119
120
The Magellano 25 Metri is a semidisplacement yacht with enormous windows that offers absolutely incomparable pleasure for owners who love being at sea. It is also wonderfully silent and reliable as befits a craft designed for extended cruising
121
The Shipyard Giovanna Vitelli Vice President Azimut Yachts
T
Right, the lounge area on the fly is another al fresco spot where guests can luxuriate in the joy of being underway. Power comes thanks to a pair of 1,400 hp Man engines (1,500 hp units as optionals)
122
he new 25 Metri was designed to inject new life into the Magellano Collection which has always epitomised a particular type of displacement yacht characterised by generous spaces with large windows and designed for owners who love a completely silent, utterly comfortable navigation experience. The project allowed us to successfully combine the more technical spirit of the boat, which normally doesn’t have a great aesthetic appeal, with sophisticated, contemporary forms and décor, so that we could offer the market a very original boat. As a great Magellano connoisseur and navigator, Ken Freivokh brought new freshness to the classic exterior lines, while Vincenzo De Cotiis added in his particular brand of timeless elegance by using fibreglass in an unusual way and also organising the spaces in an original manner. Stepping aboard the Magellano 25 Metri is like immersing yourself in beauty and I am very satisfied with the aesthetic and functional harmony it exudes. This model experienced a huge media success because it was supported by several special initiatives, such as a short film by Gabriele Muccino and an event in Portofino. So even before its official launch, it attracted a lot of attention and surprising consensus with sales following as a result. Furthermore we are already working on the Magellano 30 Metri, this yacht’s larger sister, which is the product of an equally exciting project that most certainly won’t go unnoticed. We expect the Magellano Collection to continue to gain consensus by attracting an evolved but not rare kind of owner for whom the journey is a fundamental part of the travel experience. The type of owner that appreciates the pleasure of beautiful seascape and the taste of time spent in good company and in absolute comfort and complete relaxation. This very unusual time in history has also definitely increased people’s desire for safe holidays in close contact with nature with their families or a tight circle of people. This is what I did last summer aboard the 25 Metri and I was really wowed by life aboard: it was a real journey within a journey.”
123