The YN 20457 project Akira, dubbed Santosha instead, is revealed by Heesen Yachts as the first model in Heesen’s new 57-meter line of boats. The Santosha is designed with exterior lines penned by Omega Architects’ Frank Laupman and an internal volume of 780GT, taking on a new direction in design. She was first revealed at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show.
Her logo takes the form of a lotus. This serves as a friendly reminder to the owners to “remain happy under any circumstances or be contented with what we can achieve through our capacity. It balances our external and internal worlds by controlling the tyranny of the senses. Contentment is a feeling of mental satisfaction.”
The interior designer and interior engineers worked hand in hand to create a yacht that perfectly captures the style and lifestyle of Heesen’s prestigious clients. The yacht is shaped by a shapely silhouette, an elongated profile, and a sweeping arch tile that spans the length of the superstructure together. Her scooped-shaped stern guarantees the 57-metre will stand out among other superyachts berthed in the Marina.
The Santosha is designed meticulously with the owner’s vision and personal touch. The owner’s ideas were brought to life with an interior of a calm yet sophisticated environment. When designing her, including the clients was of utmost importance. The clients played a hand in material selection by incorporating many sustainable options such as recycled wood, performance leather and art silk. Her design combines luxury and functionality all into one with a fluid layout and a neutral colour palette.
The Santosha’s interior focuses on refined architectural hierarchy and consistency. The interior masterpiece was crafted by combining minimalist design elements with thoughtfully chosen accents. Woven leather accents surround the sky lounge’s TV while the wallpaper on the boat is curved to reflect the golden sunlight. Her luxurious interior is tastefully decorated with curated art pieces positioned around her. The pieces add a playful yet brave and are balanced by the pale-coloured floors and “art silk” carpets that contribute to the contribute to the vessel’s fresh and elegant aesthetic.
The owner’s apartment on board stretches over 70 square meters and makes out her internal quarters. The apartment includes a study, a stateroom with a full beam ceiling, a large bathroom, elegant light fixtures and bespoke artwork. The master bathroom is nothing but majestic. As an ode to The Garden of Eden, the master bathroom is decked out in lush white-on-white designs that are inspired by bas-relief methods. The room is designed in collaboration with the clients and is masterfully crafted by London-based artists at DKT studio.
A snake, which is said to be the owners’ totem animal, is one of the many pieces of decor that stands out. The creature is the embodiment of rebirth while the cynical skin-shedding represents resurrection and renewal. The spiritual energy of the snake inspires us to view endings not as finality but as gateways to new beginnings. Snakes also represent the journey of healing.
The guest quarters on board are designed with practicality in mind through the clients’ extensive experience and deep understanding of life on board. These quarters feature light elegant aesthetics with a light touch of colour, curated artwork and modern photography that creates a calm yet lively atmosphere.
Performance-wise, Santosha replicates the incredibly efficient FDHD devised by Dutch hydrodynamicists Van Oossanen naval architects, complete with a full aluminium hull. The hull is perfectly engineered by Heesen’s in-house team while highly skilled welders while being crafted by the shipyard’s highly skilled welders. She is propelled by two MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines. The engines can power up to 22 knots and can cover 39000 nautical miles at 13 knots. A draft of 2.3 metres makes her the perfect platform for exploring the Bahamas’ turquoise shallows.
