A more sustainable life doesn't necessarily entail going back to the basics and ditching modern-day comforts. With the right budget and the right team, the same luxurious lifestyle can be maintained even when you're being more aware of your impact on the environment.
The latest projects in the private naval sector are solid examples of this.
The industry is slowly – but surely – moving towards more sustainable propulsion and alternative means of reducing the carbon footprint of privately owned vessels, with the goal of creating models that can sail the seven seas without a negative impact on the same. Not all multi-millionaires are selfish or don't care about the environment, but the real push is coming from the shipyards themselves, striving to adapt new tech to decades-old craftsmanship for overall better results.
If we're to dream about an alternative future in which superyachts are greener but don't lose their aesthetic value or, more importantly to the owner, their fancy features, Flame would fit right in. Flame is a new concept by CentrolstileDesign, a 70-meter (230-foot) superyacht that brings together two opposing elements, fire and water, but only in concept, to create a new type of seafaring experience.
Photo: CentrostileDesign
As of the time of press, there are concrete plans to bring Flame into the realm of reality, but that's not to say the concept is meritless. In yacht design, much like in the auto industry, conceptual studies serve to challenge preconceptions and established processes, to further innovation by simply daring to show what could be possible.
In most cases, concept superyachts never leave the page they're drawn on, and that's ok. Features or ideas integrated into them might be picked up at a later date in an actual build or be further explored in another concept that might see the light of day. At worst, they serve as fancy escapism: fleeting glimpses into a future that never happens, but awesome nonetheless.
We couldn't say what the future holds for Flame, but it does make for a nice escape from the daily rut.
Photo: CentrostileDesign
CentrolstileDesign, an Italy-based design studio fronted by yacht designer Davide Cipriani, is no stranger to this kind of futuristic styling. It previously made headlines with Futur-E, an e-foil speedboat inspired by the legacy of Formula One machines and vintage racecars, but looking to the future with full electric propulsion and heightened efficiency.
By comparison, Flame isn't anchored in the past but is strictly a creation of the future.
It's a striking superyacht that sits very low to the waterline and features a superstructure almost completely closed off, with sharp angles and unexpected curves that create an instantly recognizable silhouette. Safe to say, should Flame be a real vessel, chances of seeing it in motion and not knowing what it was would be nil.
Photo: CentrostileDesign
The silhouette is as much a stylistic choice as it's a necessity. The superyacht is covered in custom solar panels arranged in the shape of a flame – hence its name. The designers imagine they'd be enough to run hotel functions at anchor on clean energy and maybe to maneuver in and out of marinas, thus serving to reduce the overall impact of the vessel on the environment.
"From the very first sketches, Flame has been perceived with the intention to give up to easy compromises between space and form," the designers say in a statement to one trade publication. "[Flame] allows for clean and decisive lines to flow freely from the bow to the stern volume, where the living areas of this yacht are concentrated."
The striking exterior features an interior to match, favoring open flowing spaces, minimalism, and understated luxury features. The bad news is that the interior hasn't been rendered yet, so we'll just have to use imagination for it. CentrolstileDesign notes that there will be plenty of outdoor and indoor areas for socializing and relaxation.
Photo: CentrostileDesign
Flame tries to blur the lines between guests' private space and the surrounding nature, allowing the latter in when desired for a more immersive seafaring experience. Expansive glazing throughout helps with that, and the highlight here is the way in which windows are integrated flush into the hull and superstructure, creating a sleek, smooth surface that adds to the sporty character of the vessel.
Other notable features of Flame include the most spectacular (but fictional) beach club, framed on either side by large openings that create vertical spaces that allow for panoramic views, a pool aft, a helipad at the bow, and a flydeck that is almost entirely glass.
Details regarding propulsion, range, performance, or guest capacity are not available as of this writing, but that doesn't mean you should lose hope.
With some concept studies, and solely on the condition that they generate enough interest, the studio might further develop them down to the most minute detail, like the exact layout of the sleeping quarters. If Flame gets the right reaction, it might live to be more than just a silhouette on the virtual page.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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