Alexander Isaac, Kimberly Williams, and Mauro Giamboi have seen the future of yacht ownership. And it’s populated with people who’ve traded the Tonka Toys of their youth for luxurious 4x4s.
Confused? Don’t be. Isaac, Williams, and Giamboi, a.k.a. the team behind Lila-Lou London, drew inspiration from the automotive world, particularly high-end SUVs, in coming up with the design concept seen here, called the Double L 45. The goal was to give owners a superyacht that can do the same thing as their on-land vehicles: look aggressive, and take them to off-the-beaten-track places, all the while accommodating a big group of family and friends, along with associated luggage and toys, in a comfortable yet practical environment.
Measuring 45 meters LOA (about 147 feet), the Double L 45 is more voluminous than other megayachts in this size range. This results from both the main deck and bridge deck being full-beam, measuring about nine meters (29’5”) at their maximum point. But it also results from the hull form being essentially straight between decks, so there isn’t much “tail off” in terms of the yacht’s overall dimension, Isaac says.
Since the design team envisions the Double L 45 being used more like a residence, due to the far-flung explorations she’s intended for, the general arrangement follows suit. Instead of the traditional main saloon followed by a separate dining area, Lila-Lou London has fashioned an open-plan living area. In addition, a centerline hallway leads forward of here to two guest cabins and the master suite fully forward. Two twin staterooms are one deck down, forward of the engine room, and can convert to queens when necessary. In recognition that the potential owner may have children, one of the twins features an en suite bathtub, too, instead of the more customary shower. And speaking of tubs, the master head contains a Japanese bathing pool – similar to a regular tub, except that it’s used for relaxing after you’ve already washed up separately. (Japanese culture has long called attention to the calming nature of bathing, holding that it makes more sense to soak in clean water than to recline surrounded by dirty suds.)
Lila-Lou London felt it was equally important for crew accommodations to be better than average aboard the Double L 45. Four cabins are on the lower deck, each featuring one to two berths plus desks and PC screens doubling as TVs. A large galley/mess is also down here, along with walk-in cold rooms and a laundry room. The captain’s stateroom is aft of the wheelhouse, as is a built-in computer area for him and the rest of the crew to use. (Guests have two “hot desks” here as well.) Because “we envisage the purchaser will want/like interaction with a friendly crew and not hide them away all the time,” Isaac explains, the sole service-only stairs are the ones leading from the crew mess to the main-deck galley.
The number of crew cabins to guest staterooms ensures about a one-to-one crew-guest ratio, which is ideal for a charter yacht or even a private owner who prioritizes service. If the yacht does charter, no doubt the gym/massage rooms on the uppermost deck will be put to good use. In either sense, though, the Jacuzzi and sunning spaces up there are sure to be popular, too, as is the plethora of toys housed in the garage (with a fold-down door that becomes an extended swim platform).
Lila-Lou London has other concept projects in the work as well, including a 108-meter (354-foot) megayacht and a sleek-styled 75-meter (246-foot) cruiser. Look for more about these in the coming weeks.
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