Yacht Project Kansei Is Deeply Emotional for Heesen Yachts

Keel-laying ceremonies are always causes for celebration, but the ceremony for the yacht Project Kansai was especially poignant. Heesen Yachts’ CEO, Jeroen van der Meer, welded a coin from 1978 to the keel to pay tribute to the year the yard opened its doors. Fittingly, the 184-footer (56-meter) will launch when the shipyard celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

Further fitting, the yacht Project Kansei derives her name from the Japanese word meaning emotional sensitivity to and perception of others. Since Heesen customizes yachts with clients, it notes, it builds the experience of being aboard around them.

Although she’s a spec project, the yacht Project Kansei incorporates many requests from previous shipyard customers. Specifically, she’s the latest in its 55-meter steel series, which recently saw the yacht Pa’lante delivered. Owners’ project managers and captains and crew have influenced the design, too. For example, the shipyard is incorporating a transformer swim platform, to make it easier to get into the water. Additionally, the swim platform is a little more than three feet (1 meter) longer than previous platforms. Owners and their guests appreciate having a bit more space on the platform whether intending to swim or hop on tenders and toys.

Yet another party with strong influence into the design is Luca Dini’s design team. Heesen Yachts has worked with the designers previously. They are leaning into the Japanese concept of Kansei, too. For instance, they’re planning a soothing, relaxing ambience throughout the interior for a party of 12. This includes the formal dining area (with a bar) on the bridge deck. Materials like raffia for the ceilings and backlit rice paper lend gentle tones and an equally gentle tactile nature. An open floorplan characterizes additional areas, as does indoor-outdoor living. The sundeck’s show-kitchen-like arrangement should attract attention in this regard.

The yacht Project Kansei incorporates notable wellbeing amenities, too. Not only does the superyacht have a gym, but it’s aft on the main deck, with dedicated space for yoga. It further connects to an alfresco area with a juice bar. Wellbeing isn’t limited to this space, either. It’s especially prominent below decks. Guests enter a room with large skylights, then have a choice of relaxing in the sauna or hammam. For a more invigorating experience, the yacht Project Kansei also features a curbless shower that can produce snow, mist, or water.

Yacht Project Kansei keel laying ceremony

Owners can step into the project at this stage, of course, to make the spaces even more their own. Even with changes, they can anticipate commemorating the launch in October 2028 and taking delivery in early 2029.

“Project Kansei serves as a bridge between the solid past of our shipyard and the new philosophical direction we embrace,” Jeroen van der Meer states.

Heesen Yachts heesenyachts.com

Luca Dini Design & Architecture lucadini.com