Owners of Flexplorer 146 Yacht Will Have a Living Wall Inside, Amid Nearly Entirely Sustainable Interior

Most of the discussions about sustainable yachting focus on fuel consumption. However, the materials making up megayachts, including the interior décor, are of importance, too. A family building a Flexplorere 146 yacht at Cantiere delle Marche are especially conscious of this. With Winch Design, they’re ensuring only natural, non-toxic, or environmentally friendly materials and treatments are going in place.

Winch Design has been doing a lot of research into sustainable design over the last several years. It collaborates with specialist sustainable design and manufacturing companies that strive to use either entirely or nearly-entirely eco-friendly production processes and materials. For the Flexplorer 146 yacht, the owners’ and their family’s strong commitment to healthy living and sustainability will be evident everywhere. The interior will prioritize reclaimed seashell coatings in baths, for example, along with centuries-old Thames wood, carpets crafted from recycled fishing nets, and more throughout the relaxation areas. Further priority goes toward items where the manufacturing process involves low levels of EMF and VOC. The latter includes Foresso, which creates a variety of furnishings and accessories from unavoidable waste, and Mafi wood flooring.

the CdM Flexplorer 146 yacht with Winch Design emphasizes sustainability

Complementing these décor highlights, the Cantiere delle Marche Flexplorer 146 yacht additionally will show off earthy tones and organic textures. So, for instance, expect to see woven grass overhead in ceiling domes. Furnishings will incorporate recycled wood through offcut timber and even wood dust from sawmills and building sites. Palm leather (made from palms) will cover some furniture, too. Arguably the application that will become a conversation piece, though, is a living wall of preserved moss along a staircase.

Since the owners intend to cruise aboard a lot, they are equally emphasizing emissions from fuel. The Caterpillar propulsion system will connect with a catalytic-reduction system, particularly to allow operating in protected regions like the Galapagos.

While the Flexplorer (a play on “flexible” and “explorer”) series already has strong interest, with a few deliveries to date as well as a Flexplorer 146 in build for a fishing fanatic, this particular project will be a game changer. So many elements need careful monitoring to ensure the production is eco-oriented and the overall carbon footprint is as small as possible. Even the interior outfitting subcontractor needed a carbon-neutral business model. As Jim Dixon, creative director of Winch Design, explains, “Our studio has an important agenda to change our clients’ perception of conscious luxury, and we have a wonderful opportunity in this project to make a significant step forward.”

The yacht, which should launch in 2025, marks the first-time collaboration between Cantiere delle Marche and Winch Design as well.