Inspired by Lego blocks, Glass is an unexpectedly elegant alternative to conventionally sleek superyachts

It’s almost a given that any newly built superyacht will be sleek, smooth and streamlined, so architect Lujac Desautel has flouted convention by designing one that is inspired by skyscrapers and bricks of Lego.

The Glass superyacht was conceived in response to a brief given as part of this year’s Boat International Young Designer of the Year competition. Participants were asked to design a superyacht based on the hull of a commercially available 60m SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) hull.

For Desautel, an Oregon-born student at the California College of the Arts, School of Architecture, the contest provided an opportunity to dramatically redefine the aesthetics of these luxury vessels. The versatility of Lego bricks (they “can be connected a thousand different ways”, he says) has influenced much of his work and each floor of Glass is stacked upon the other like a building block.

At its core, the 5,600sq ft yacht features an elevator shaft, alongside living and working space for staff. The interior is otherwise largely open-plan and, in keeping with the brief, includes six guest bedrooms, a private owner’s lounge, a family lounge and children’s playroom. The steps at the aft deck, meanwhile, are meant to resemble those found at ancient Mayan temples and provide additional outdoor space.

A shortlisted entry in this year’s awards, Desautel’s design has been commended by the Boat International Young Design of the Year judges for being particularly family-friendly, but for now Glass remains a concept. Its rigid looks stand in marked contrast to other recently unveiled superyacht prototypes, such as the sinuous yacht designed by Zaha Hadid for Hamburg-based shipbuilders Blohm + Voss. One of the most distinctive superyachts currently on the water is the 390ft (119m) A, designed by Philippe Starck. It features an unusual upside down hull and a hooked, beak-like bow. Also built by Blohm + Voss, it is one of the world’s largest superyachts.

> via Telegraph