To commemorate the recent opening of Laraki Yacht Design in California, Abdeslam Laraki took some time off from the ongoing design projects to create Prelude, a nine deck, 163 metre superyacht that has the essence and the potential to challenge any other yacht design. Prelude is Abdeslam Laraki’s vision of a gigayacht design when questioned and rethought from keel up, as well as a visual overview of the level of creativity and esthetics to expect from the new Laraki Yacht Design studio.
“To some extent, but with some exceptions, the majority of the world’s largest mega yachts seem to be, at least in appearance, almost just a blowup in size of smaller yachts. Although they are hugely impressive by their sizes and price tags, unfortunately, I think most of them don’t seem to pioneer much if not any really new design clues”, Abdeslam Laraki explains. “I think every new entry should be an inspiration to mankind, just like an iconic architectural creation can be”.
“My challenge in Prelude is to invent and create an innovative and true one of a kind yacht, in the deepest meaning of the words. A yacht with its own character, style and looks, as far as possible from the rest. I allowed myself to take risks proposing new shapes that I hope are still in harmony with the yacht’s natural environment, the ocean”.
Besides its original looks, Prelude gives the owner and his guests the ultimate superyacht experience. Opulence, distinction, originality but also feasibility are the main four words the designer had in mind to guide him through the project during its ideation, research and creation phases.
Unique huge and unusual lateral glazing surfaces Prelude has on both sides of the superstructure, and the large extensions here and there that stretch passed the hull’s width, allows guests to enjoy exceptional views.
Prelude is composed of many dedicated areas which the designer calls modules. Towards the top, on the eighth deck is the Aqua-module, consisting of two pools. The wellness and water treatments pool is located in the front section, to be enjoyed by the owner and his guests. While the pool located on the back section of the module is dedicated to play and fun. Two water slides go to the aft pool, taking start two decks higher. In the shallow water part of the fun and play pool, between the waterslides is located an indoor tropical forest like environment, along with an automated sushi bar for 20 guests, where you can enjoy the view on the pool and ocean on one side and the dense tropical vegetation on the other side. On the same deck, near the wellness pool in the front section, we have a dining area protected by cylindrical glass walls all around. While on both sides of the module, are located wide promenades that stretch the full length.
Above the Aqua module there is the Flying-module. The name describes its aeronautical, detached and autonomous appearance, standing on the top of the gigayacht. The Flying-module consists of a glass covered lounge area, located at the front, while on both sides of the module, there are a bar, pool tables, comfortable seating, and card play areas that lead to two large terraces, located in the back and overlooking the waterslides and the play pool on the eighth deck. The roof of the Flying module holds the radar and satellite receiver arch, along with the start area of the waterslides that go throw the module and all the way to the play and fun pool. Besides its dynamic looks, and thanks to its large glazing surfaces, the Flying module offers unbeatable and exceptional all around high rise views.
Bellow the Flying and Aqua module, we have the seventh deck that offers, both in the front and rear, a large lounge and entertainment area, fitted with large sunbeds, sectional sofas, a water fountain, flat screens and bars. All overlooking the ocean.
The sixth deck is exclusively dedicated to the owner, the Owner-module. Besides the impressive size of such space, the owner can enjoy a large pool terrace looking forward, along with two large general use terrace spaces located on both sides. At the rear of the Owner-module, is located the private reception area, consisting of a large circular living area, fitted with large sofas of different shapes and seating configurations, a dining area and more. All with a large walk around path and full glazing.
The wheelhouse is located on the fifth deck. Other than the distinctive futuristic look the command room has, the fifth deck offers a huge surface that holds numerous living and entertainment areas to host large events and receptions, almost entirely boarded by glazing. All leading to the fifth deck’s aft section, where we have a large open space with a helipad, a fish pond, a bar and a variety of comfortable seating configurations and relaxation areas.
In the front part of the forth deck, we have the Beach-pool-module. A unique open sky space that includes a helipad on its front section, a large pool with a Jacuzzi and a wet bar, a variety of comfortable seating areas, large size sunbeds and two bars, one on each side of the pool. All leading under the wheelhouse, where we have even more commodities. The forth deck is also where six 160 square meter VIP guest suites are located. Three on each side. They all have 28 square meter of furnished private terrace space, full ocean view bath space, each equipped with an individual sauna, steam bath and other wellness equipment. On the rear part of the forth deck, we have the restaurant area that leads to a large open space fitted with round shaped seating and dining areas that extent passed the width of the yacht for a unique unobstructed view.
One final feature the designer would like to draw your attention to, is the Ocean-access-module. It is in fact what could mistakably be taken for exhausts that run at the bottom rear of the hull. In reality, the module holds two 13 by 4m pools, one on each side. When both huge lateral doors of the module are opened, both pool areas have direct access and full view on the ocean. The module is fitted with all the necessary equipment for leisure, fun and relaxation.
Laraki Yacht Design
Abdeslam Laraki
+1 310 496 4520
[email protected]
www.larakiyachtdesign.com