M A L A C H I T E
I S S U E
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[ MEGAYACHT ]
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The new 63m from Benetti was created by a highly successful, well-established team and offers innovative styling cues that set a new benchmark in terms of both quality and design by DĂŠsirĂŠe Sormani - ph. Jeff Brown
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n Greek mythology, Metis was one of the Titans:
the nanny’s cabin, which also has a study with armchairs by B&B
daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, first wife of Zeus
and a small private terrace at the request of the owner.
and the goddess of wisdom, prudence and deep
The desire to shake up the rules in terms of layout and orientation
thought. The new 63m from Benetti is as seaworthy,
is clear too in the upper deck saloon, furnished with a sofa,
powerful and safe as her name suggests.
armchairs, a bar and a black piano, which feels like it has been
The Benetti FB276 is a sublime expression of Made in Italy
rotated somewhat. The result is a more relaxed room-within-a-
excellence, an on-spec build from the pen of Giorgio M. Cassetta
room arrangement that also has a more dynamic vibe. Bannenberg
who crafted simple, elegant exterior lines to clothe large volumes and
& Rowell and Benetti have obviously worked hand-in-glove to give
a truly elegant, impressively long plumb bow. A clean yet instantly
the unmistakeably contemporary Metis, a crisp, clean aesthetic.
recognisable style that lends Metis huge appeal as confirmed by
Modern furniture echoes the architectural detailing with softened
the fact that three vessels with similar initial platform have have
angular shapes that have been upholstered in luxuriously textured
now been sold. Her German owner is a great admirer of both
fabrics and leathers. The lights incorporate geometric designs in
Benetti’s tradition and abilities, and the Made in Italy ethic. He was
marquetry patterns and sculptured metals. Facets, edgy surfaces and twisted ribbons are not the conventional stuff of a superyacht interior either but here they help to influence the unique “cut diamond” polished stainless steel handles contrasting against a backdrop of oak veneers, Emperador and Bianco Statuario marbles, carbon-fibre, texalium and carefully curated leathers. Emphasised edges, joinery divisions and dynamic lines are a leitmotif throughout the interior, particularly on the upper deck. A large outdoor space aft boasts a round dining table and relaxation zone to allow guests to get together and is followed by the abovementioned sky lounge. The owner shares these spaces with his guests, but the midship section and the stern are dedicated to his private full-beam suite. Its 160 sqm of space is almost entirely framed by full-height panoramic windows, guaranteeing both spectacular vistas and absolute privacy.
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introduced to the yard by Yacht Moments president Kurt Lehmann
Its contemporary aesthetic spans bleached oak, carbon-fibre and
when Metis’s build was already at an advanced stage. However, it
polished steel paired with Calacatta and Coffee Brown marble.
was still early enough to allow the owner to put his own personal
The finishing touch is an astonishing 55 sqm external terrace on
stamp on the yacht and make a few changes to the original layout.
the same level furnished with Glyn Peter Machin sun beds which
Metis’s interior architectural design is by Bannenberg & Rowell
can be removed to create a touch-and-go helipad. The owner likes
with input from the owner’s personal interior designer, Birgit
to keep fit too and there is a gym on the fly deck with sliding
Otte Interior. The 63m offers a genuinely new perspective as her
doors fore and aft and tinted side windows to ensure both total
unconventional asymmetric layout winds its way through the core
privacy and an amazing view of the sea. Last but not least, we
of the main spaces. This is instantly clear in the main saloon, the
come to the beach club and cabana on the lower deck. Here two
first space encountered after boarding, which comprises a generous
extending side terraces and the stern platform form a T-shaped
relaxation area with a backgammon table, and a dining area with
space with their own balcony-like areas, while the central section
a long rectangular table. Further forward on the same deck is a
is a room-within-a-room.
children’s play area and a double cabin (with bathroom) opposite
www.benettiyachts.it
This shot, the master stateroom’s private terrace (which can convert into a touch-and-go helipad when required). Opposite, Metis’s clean exterior lines brim with personality. Opening picture, the main saloon: it is instantly obvious that the configuration is very different from any other yacht. Metis offers a genuinely new perspective with unconventional that wind @@@cepelayouts pre doluptio quiae their way the et core of theeos main nonthrough con es des id most spaces on board sunt eictotae volo eum veris diasperuptat opta dellanis estia consequid qui ipsus eliquae prestib usandae rferroribus, conecat uribusa cum ut vit erovid maio coreic to officat as as volorias as eatecto blaut et liti assit quatur aliquias est et et, et odic tem rem. Fero dem dolo opta simi, occum ratia dolore nosae ratist prerias sitatus
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The interior architectural design is by Bannenberg & Rowell with input from the owner’s personal interior decorator, Birgit Otte Interior. The style is modern and the desire to shake up layout and orientation convention is clear in the upper deck saloon (right and above) with its sofa, armchairs, bar and black piano, where the space feels as if it has been rotated. Opposite page, the cockpit (above) and the dining area on the main deck
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Exterior Design Giorgio M. Cassetta
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Above, Giorgio M. Cassetta, who crafted for the Benetti FB276’s simple, elegant exterior lines. Metis’s design is focused on making the most of the volumes to maximise the amount of usable guest space which is pretty large (below an aereal view)
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he Metis project began in 2015: the yard wanted to build an on spec megayacht clothed in spare, modern lines. A nicely balanced uncluttered design that would appeal to any market or any owner. After a lot of work, we produced a fluid look with beautifully balanced proportions that still very much had its own distinctive personality. We thought a lot about the plumb bow. More and more owners like the imposing physicality of plumb bows which also have a lot of technical and functional advantages. They extend the length along the waterline and make yachts faster and more efficient. More waterline length also means more comfort: improved stability reduces pitching and movement when the boat hits the waves so progress is calmer and safer. The plumb bow also considerably increases space because the lower deck is longer (particularly the crew area). We went against current trends and used round windows on the hull which are reminiscent of bigger commercial vessels or the steam ships of over half a century ago. They highlight the vast expanse of the hull flanks but in the interior, they are 60 cm in diameter, guaranteeing that the guest cabins will be bright. From a design perspective, they have a minimal impact on the stylistic perception of the yacht. The fact that the décor elements are so clean and sleek meant we could give the boat enormous windows to heighten the sense of continuity between interior and exterior. The entire exterior design is focused on making the most of the volumes to maximise the amount of usable guest space which is pretty large. Forward, there is seamless continuity between the deck overlooked by the master stateroom and the adjacent helipad. This area is very private thanks, to the fact that the al fresco areas adjacent to the master stateroom can’t be seen from the upper decks. Also noteworthy are the enormous aft doors of the two saloons which disappear into the superstructure. Designing, fitting and lining them up was no small task but Benetti did it!
ph. credit Tom Jamieson
Left, Simon Rowell and Dickie Bannenberg. Above, the owner’s full-beam suite covers 160 sqm and has full-height panoramic windows. Above, left, the staircase (with lift by Icm-Bertazzoni) is a stunning piece of design, wrapping sensually around the round elevator. It is both sculptural and in perfect dialogue with the yacht’s overall geometric style
Interior Design Bannenberg Rowell
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hy asymmetry? When we take the various elements of a yacht’s technical parts, combine them with the way guests move through a yacht (where they look, the space they need, how much light or the views they may need, etc.), it’s very easy to see that these factors don’t behave in straight lines, in parallel or on a grid. By dividing spaces asymmetrically, we created less formal layouts (while keeping an edgy modern style), improved sight lines, absorbed bars and equipment in corners, and generally created a new dynamic to both furniture and architecture. Metis has a contemporary, approachable style obtained with a combination of light and dark oak, with contrasting stainless steel and texalium (a kind of carbon-fibre fabric) details. Most pieces are custom-designed by B&R, including the bedside tables and the main wine display. The staircase has a strong sculptural identity. The stair treads and wall panelling echo some of the dynamic detailing elsewhere and the structure appears to float as it winds itself around the glass elevator shaft, thanks to careful use of lighting and polished stainless steel.
Light played a crucial role: there is a considered balance of natural light, concealed lighting and layers of decorative lighting. Overhead lighting is used sparingly. We were happy to work with the incoming owner’s long-term decorator Birgit Otte too and let her make decisions about many of the soft furnishings. The beach club is an important place aboard but it can be a challenge. A ‘triple aspect’ space like this (three shell doors) offers wonderful opportunities for views and proximity to the water. However, this tends to deliver a T-shaped room, with at least three traffic routes: very difficult to work with, especially if you add in AV equipment, a bar, a dropped ceiling under a passarelle box, and a lobby for the engine room. Rather than trying to tie this shape into one space, we decided to embrace the separate zones. The three legs have their own little areas, like balconies, while the central part is a room within a room, loosely defined with slatted screens. We also rotated this central room to reduce blocked routes and create corners for lobbies, AV equipment, etc.
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Shipyard Christos Ramnialis, Vice President of Development of Benetti Business Line
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etis is the result of the yard investing in successful project that started with the FB265 M/Y “11.11” platform, a multi-award-winning 63m custom yacht from 2016. We decided to keep the same team together to fully exploit the experience and capabilities developed on that project. The interior design and layout took 7-8 months from the first sketches to completion. It was a very intense period with Benetti working closely with British designers Bannenberg & Rowell who immediately produced an innovative layout in which the beach club and cabana and the main and master deck saloons were rotated 30° compared to conventional configurations to provide completely unprecedented panoramic views of the sea. The owner was particularly pleased with the yard’s flexibility, the collaborative atmosphere and the continuous and constructive interaction with Benetti as well as the opportunity to customise the yacht from its layout upwards. It is always a challenge to build a 63m megayacht. With Metis, changing the initial design to incorporate a customised gym on the fly deck at such an advanced stage was a bit of a test. Giorgio M. Cassetta and Kurt Lehmann worked with Benetti to design an area where guests and owner can work out in complete comfort. A system of sliding doors forward and aft as well as tinted side windows guarantee incomparable sea views and mean that occupants can work out indoors or al fresco. The German owner is a real Made in Italy enthusiast and chose Benetti because he wanted a yard that could guarantee a high standard of quality and design, and incorporate his personalisation requests. Metis was a huge team effort between our technicians, the designers, the owner and Kurt Lehmann. She has really raised the bar for the yard and for Made in Italy fans. Her achievements, which include winning the Best Exterior Design category at the 2019 World Yachts Trophies, have set a new benchmark in terms of design and styling too.
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On the lower deck, the beach club and cabana (right), designed with Bannenberg & Rowell, is strikingly original and attractive. Its two open-out side terraces and large stern platform create a lovely seaskimming lounge area. The owner asked for a gym on the fly (below) when the build was advanced and this proved quite challenging
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