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Photo: Jozeph Forakis 2023
A 3D-printed superyacht that blends into the aquatic hue of the ocean around it, with transparent solar panels that extract hydrogen from seawater for zero-emission, near-infinite travel.
No, it’s not a villainous lair straight out of sci-fi. This is New York native Jozeph Forakis’ newest and wildest concept to emerge from his Milan-based eponymous studio, Pegasus.
The 88-metre concept stems from Forakis’ time on the Koufonissi islands in Greece, where he was “inspired to create a yacht as close to the sea and nature as possible, made out of clouds floating above the waterline”.
And while he hasn’t yet developed a technology that can turn clouds into superyachts, he’s got the next best thing: panels of mirrored glass upon a 3D-printed superstructure – which the studio says uses less energy, materials, space and time compared to conventional construction methods, without compromising on strength or weight – thereby allowing the yacht to take on the look of the environment it’s in.
Credit: Photo: Jozeph Forakis 2023
This also allows sunlight to penetrate all levels of the vessel’s interior, subsequently powering a multi-level hydroponic garden dubbed the “Tree of Life” that seeks to provide guests with nature’s bounty (i.e. fresh food and purified air).
After all, the ship is designed to be “virtually invisible”, both visually and environmentally. Therefore, it is powered by transparent solar panels – this is a real thing that is now being installed commercially – that power electrolysers drawing hydrogen from seawater, in turn powering all operating systems.
As there’s a virtually limitless supply of both sun and sea to draw from, the Pegasus accordingly purports to have a more-or-less unlimited cruising range, completely emission-free.
Credit: Photo: Jozeph Forakis 2023
As it is a superyacht, one can expect the usual suite of passenger niceties, including a forward-facing master suite on the top level complete with large private terrace; a pool club with open balconies and an aquarium-style lap pool that can be converted into a helipad; and a host of other facilities like spacious guest lounges and an aft-side beach club with mega-sized jazcuzzi.
While a yacht covered with glass sounds like a potential privacy nightmare – or a field day for the paparazzi – there are a number of exciting ideas presented in this concept that might make it worth an owner’s while. Forakis envisions that his yacht could be built as early as 2030.
Says the designer: “Now is the time for courageous leaps toward our collective sustainable future. Pegasus is a bold but achievable vision for the near future of the superyacht industry, where man and machine live in harmony with nature rather than competing or compromising it.”
