“Masculine” tends to be a common description for megayachts with strong, hard-edged styling. Bannenberg & Rowell, together with Nobiskrug, decided to explore the softer side of things. This has resulted in the 302-foot (92-meter) concept Muse. The sketches deliberately leave much to your to imagine, but there’s enough to make you mull over the possibilities.
Teak traditionally covers just underfoot areas. Aboard Muse, it “flows in an almost liquid fashion over the aft and side edges,” the designers say. This gives the illusion of disappearing edges, or what Bannenberg & Rowell calls “infinity decks.” For safety’s sake, cantilevered glass balustrades are embedded around the aft decks, without ruining the effect.
“A free-flowing synergy between interior and exterior space” is how Nobiskrug’s managing director, Holger Kahl, describes Muse. A prime example of the interior-exterior synergy: the pool. Seen center stage between the stairs in the image above, it is a primary focus aboard. The pool has both a glass bottom, filtering light into the main saloon, and glass aft portion, too, for an infinity effect. For practical purposes, Muse also has a built-in, retractable awning here.
Notice how the stretch of deck with the pool is long and open. Bannenberg & Rowell situated the engine-room air ducts nearly amidships. This is farther forward than aboard most yachts. The designers put them in line with other interior technical spaces, even interior stairwells. The studio credits Nobiskrug with having an open mind overall, “keen to explore new forms and shaping without ever saying that it can’t be done.”
The full-beam steps that flow down from the pool to the swim platform lead to unexpected delights. Muse has a concealed bar here. It rises hydraulically, with a shade, too. The bar therefore becomes a focal point of the 29-foot-wide (9-meter-wide) platform. It’s true even when Muse’s crew take out watertoys from garages, via flip-up sections of the steps flanking the pool. Picture guests taking turns hopping on the PWCs and more. Alternately, those garage hatches can become drop-down beach-club access points. A large portion of the center steps flips up, too, for shaded access and better views from inside.
Fourteen guests get main-deck accommodations. The owners of Muse have a visually stimulating way of accessing their suite, on its own deck. Bannenberg & Rowell designed a gracefully winding hallway to anchor the suite’s spaces. They can include a study, as many do, or other ideas. Regardless, the sleeping area lies off of the hallway to port, with entry close to the yacht’s outer structure. The position keeps the bedroom’s aft wall farther away from the large side ports. Owners therefore benefit from better views aft, and overall excellent views thanks to a rotating bed.
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