Concept Yacht Project Life Is for “an Active Life, a Cool Life, a Relaxed Life”

Originally announced in 2023 by Benetti as a superyacht concept with a revolving lounge, the yacht Project Life strives to lessen the literal and figurative distance between guests and their oceanic surroundings. The build and design teams have revealed new details and images to give a stronger sense of how this can happen. In the words of Espen Øino, the superyacht’s stylist, “it’s a boat that has been designed for life—an active life, a cool life, a relaxed life.”

The 279-footer (85-meter), with cascading external stairs connecting her five decks, relies upon a proven engineering package from Benetti. That makes her its largest set-technical-platform project to date. Specifically, she relies on a diesel-electric and pod-propulsion system. This lessens fuel burn, depending on mode, and increases maneuverability, among other things. Since biofuels like HVO can substitute for traditional diesel, more environmentally minded owners can reduce environmental impact further. Additionally, Benetti says the air-conditioning system requires up to 60 percent less energy than conventional chilled-water systems. Plus, the yacht Project Life can come with solar panels for charging watertoys, including electric tenders. Benetti collaborated with Burgess’ technical division for many of these solutions, based on what the brokerage firm increasingly hears from clients.

In conjunction with Espen Øino International, Zuretti Design paid strong attention to seascapes. “We tried to soften the boundaries between the interior and exterior—or make them disappear completely,” says Sebastien Grey, Zuretti Design’s CEO. “We used very organic shapes to create this continuity, but also to have this mood of being inside a cocoon.” The beach club (top) is an ideal example. An immense space, it’s 2,906 square feet (270 square meters), yet doesn’t feel cavernous. Rather, it lends the sensation of being fully surrounded by water. It’s thanks to each of the two side platforms opening up 46 feet (14 meters) of vistas and connecting to the opening aft platform. It’s simultaneously thanks to the glass bottom of the pool directly overhead. Plus, the beach club isn’t just for watersports. It is as much a waterside dining experience as it is a nighttime party lounge or conversation lounge.

Speaking of lounges, the concept yacht Project Life has what the build and design team calls an Aqua Lounge. Occupying the aft main deck, it certainly looks and feels more like an open-air beach area. Featuring a 194-square-foot (18-square-meter) pool with seating, the Aqua Lounge easily can be the daily center of activity. Parents may find their kids pleading for permission to swim before breakfast. The grown-ups can keep a watchful eye while still watching the scenery. Smoothies and adult beverages can flow from the nearby bar as well.

Zuretti Design re-imagined traditional general arrangements, too, to prioritize enjoying the scenery. For example, the typical formal dining area isn’t forward of the saloon. Rather, the dining area and saloon sit side by side at the entry from the Aqua Lounge. Yet another example, the alfresco bridge-deck dining area has its own fully equipped cooking area for a chef’s kitchen experience. Come time for bed, each of the five equal-size guest staterooms forward on the main deck have floor-to-ceiling windows. Of course, the 155-square-foot (98-square-meter) master suite has similar windows (below) and access to the glass-wrapped sky lounge.

Depending on contract date, the yacht can see delivery as early as the spring of 2030. “The primary concept behind Project Life was to put forward life itself and life close to the water,” Øino says. Benetti believes that although this concept resonates with many different buyers, it will particularly resonate with U.S. buyers. The builder notes its historical success stateside, adding that 32 percent of its business comes from the Americas overall.

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