Ambient Lighting:
A Bright Idea |
|
|
There is much to celebrate about Dutch studio Vripack’s forward-thinking design of the 55-metre Al Waab. Large volume. Owner-centric layout. The marriage of space, weight, and function. But at the heart of the creative is sophisticated ambient lighting that transitions from morning through to evening. In answering the owner’s brief to have the ultimate home at sea, Vripack set about addressing the nuances of illumination. The result is a design that celebrates natural sunlight by day and soft diffused lighting by night.
“Almost all the yacht interiors we see as designers and produce as an industry are visuals by day. But what about representation of life on board in the evening, which is predominantly inside?” says Co-Creative Director Bart M. Bouwhuis. “Night mode lighting is super critical to an owner’s experience, and something that we spent a long time refining on Al Waab.” |
|
The Feel of an Intimate Setting |
|
|
Key to the brief was the owner’s request to avoid bright direct light and to opt for beige and grey tones in place of white. Vripack responded with diffused lighting throughout the vessel, including deep sunken spotlights that shine muted indirect beams onto the floor. The owner also required warm tones, verging on yellow in hue. This is best exemplified in the sky lounge, which will serve as the family’s evening retreat. The sundown setting refined by Vripack mimics the feel of an intimate setting. Its dark and moody ambience is akin to a members’ club.
“All the lighting on board is hidden and elegant in its approach,” says Senior Designer Robin de Vries. “Everything is concealed and indirect. Even subtle lighting on the window mullions frame the view with soft twinkles while reflecting light back into the room.” |
|
The one exception in the open plan layout is the back wall cabinet that serves to conceal the staircase. It features a stunning light installation that spans three decks and features integrated crystals that sparkle and pop under the lights.
“During the design process, we carried out a lot of testing on the amount and colour of light that is reflected or absorbed by the interior decor materials,” adds Bouwhuis. “Matt finishes and textured fabrics absorb a lot of light. White materials reflect light and produce glare. Getting this balance right is crucial when looking to provide depth and warmth in an interior.” |
|
The final combination of materials selected include matt bamboo on the ceiling to provide a diffused glow. This also helps to absorb the abundance of natural sunlight flooding through the large floor-to-ceiling windows by day. The floor is part stone, part carpet, for both reflection and absorption. The central stairs include lighting on the underside of the treads proliferating a muted glow as guests ascend.
The overall effect has been perfected using state-of-the-art software that uses real-time simulations to demonstrate how light interacts with the room. “It has enabled us to play with the lighting and position the final selection exactly where we want it,” says de Vries. “This software proves that the purpose of lighting is not simply to light a room, but to support the interior design and atmosphere.” |
|
| Build by Alia Yachts. At Alia Yachts, in Turkey’s coastal city of Antalya, work on this 55-metre yacht has continued apace, and the yacht will be delivered to the client in a few months Project manager and owner’s representative throughout the build SF Yachts. |
|
|
About Vripack Vripack is a yacht design studio, made strong through its extensive naval architecture and engineering experience. From the moment it threw open its doors in 1961, Vripack studio’s approach to design has been governed by the playful interaction between form and function. With a portfolio that represents over 7.500 designs, Vripack has been able to evolve its processes to be as efficient and as effective as possible. Vripack’s unique working structure, which provides a holistic approach to the design of a yacht, ensures that we produce better boats in less time. Our involvement in the entire process of designing the safest and most durable yachts ensures that clients and their guests feel at home at sea. |
|
|
|
|
