Druten may not have the reputation or stature as some of the major Dutch cities, but it does have that certain familiarity as all quintessential rural towns do. It's a town where heritage and the modern-age are just as present, and also the town where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a> chose to set up shop. Both town and superyacht design studio seem to ponder the same question: how to find the perfect intersections between tradition and modernity? <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222326/image/large-36687fa48b2c1172fb85d91adc58e416.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222326">As founder, Frank Laupman, explained his (and by extension, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a>’s) design language is “characterised as being romantic and modernist, while simultaneously being contemporary and innovative”. To date, Frank has designed more than 120 yachts and there are many more to come. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> needs no introduction and its insignia is held in high esteem in the yachting sector. In the last 12 months, six superyachts featuring a design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a> have hit the water and the firm has some exciting projects that they’re currently working on.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222330/image/large-b44030e6be2719893764e15486cbc8d0.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222330"> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> has partnered up with the Turkish-bashed shipbuilder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4909" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Venture Yachts (Company)">Venture Yachts</a> on three forthcoming projects: a 24-metre, currently in-build; a 43-metre, in the design stage; and a larger tri-decked yacht in the preliminary stages. There are also ongoing “conversations about a 65-metre project to be built in Turkey,” Frank divulged. The team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> is also working on a 42-metre project with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2496" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alia Yachts (Company)">Alia Yachts</a>. The last time this collaboration was forged, we were graced with the highly charismatic 60.3-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5673" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Samurai60.3m (197'10&quot;)Alia Yachts2016">Samurai</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/88624/image/large-82fb0cf80f81c247e8fb334590558373.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/88624">For this forthcoming model, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> will also handle the interior styling and will incorporate features such as glass sliding doors from the saloon to the aft deck. She’ll also feature a beach club that can be completely open. “We’ve shaped her with a very sleek, traditional rake bow; however, she looks very modern,” Frank said. “She’ll also be fast, with a top speed of around 23/24 knots.”&nbsp;Closer to home, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Yachts</a> is further enforcing its relationship with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>. The Dutch duo has already launched more than 70 yachts and they currently have five models either in-build or pending. Three 55m Steels are forecasted for the coming years – Project Serena, the most recent to be announced, and Project Gemini the next to be delivered (2022). Frank described the model run as “somewhere between a stereotype and the distinguishable <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> heritage” The series is as much proud as it is proper – the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> 55m Steel are not sport yachts, they’re yachts.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/78406/image/large-796b461fd3e75633e78a2567f93943c5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/78406">The 50-metre Book Ends also has a 2022 delivery date; while the largest of the batch, the one-off 60-metre&nbsp;Project Skyfall is penned in for 2023. “Skyfall exudes power and speed in every single detail,” Frank explained. “She’ll be the most powerful, diesel-driven yacht (no turbines, just jets) to be built in the Netherlands, to date. Her aggressive paint scheme serves to further highlight these characteristics. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/206344/image/large-57640c1b3e6af16785796ffe8e1ace58.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/206344"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/177071/image/large-f617cb52abe59bd6b94ac931b8b35979.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/177071">We started the process with a normal yacht, which had to be unique, in terms of design and technical properties. But as we designed her for a keen angler, we altered her to meet the owner’s needs, to include a fully operable fish cockpit.” The owner also has a shadow vessel, which will be built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5752" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vanquish Yachts (Company)">Vanquish</a> and designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/234" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Guido de Groot Design (Company)">Guido de Groot</a>, in-build that will mirror the mothership.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222325/image/large-93db274829026a7921924245772c7cca.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222325">The following year, 2024, Heesen will launch two more <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a>-designed yachts: the 56.7-metre Akira and the 49.98-metre Project Jade. The former has a profile that carries long horizontal lines which are soothing, yet subtly aggressive and sporty. “Her superstructure is relatively aft-leaning compared to other <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> designs,” Frank said. “And the nearly vertical bow points out her sturdy and stately character. The large amounts of glass were preserved in this new design, creating a visual indoor/outdoor relationship.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/71072/image/large-5896eba81178daf094c4e21175a5c3e6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/71072">Project Jade, however, falls more into the remit of tradition. “She is the third from our 50-metre series – <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7333" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquamarine49.98m (163'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Aquamarine</a> being the first – and combines the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a> heritage with the one of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> as a builder of elegant and sporty aluminium motor yachts,” Frank explained. “Jade features the ‘integrated hull and body design’ which was firstly featured in the iconic 65-metre Galactica Star,&nbsp;now called <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3676" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Illusion65.0m (213'3&quot;)Heesen Yachts2013">Illusion</a>. Her raised aft-deck features a full height beach club which directly connects to a flush swim platform level, and is harmoniously combined with this ‘integrated hull and body design’.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222247/image/large-3e2f4aea36c277fc9178aa42cbf2834f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222247">The engines of the design process are in constant motion and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> is busy drawing up new concepts and new designs, which they were kind enough to give SYT a sneak peek of. The collection all exceed 60-metres and is diverse in styling. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222248/image/large-819eca4ac740db723faff85cd4abcf59.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222248"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222246/image/large-56103a5a9782d99191d98203c1e94466.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222246">The 70-metre Project Elle is characterised by long, sinewy lines that taper to aft. She is sleek, modern and incredibly generous for outdoor living space. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> has wrapped her midship with glass, adding additional sports-like charm, while also providing views from the main saloon. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222252/image/large-d6949596f8a56c5540976ed958c27d83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222252"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222250/image/large-bd1ee84c5cd9327cbcad82bf68d17f61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222250"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222249/image/large-1cc9511bb6bd0f66fcb3568e47c80a85.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222249">There is an ongoing conversation in yacht design about how to strike a harmonious balance between the exterior and interior spaces. Many are heading down the route to remove all barriers, but for Frank and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> the exciting challenge is “to not conjoin the spaces, but to harness them so they communicate in an intelligent and interesting way without blending them into one unit.” The second concept takes this same approach, but from an entirely different angle. She has an enclosed superstructure that is broken up by long stretches of black, tinted glass. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> has opened up the aft with three large, cascading decks. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222253/image/large-0bfdfe1e441b7c18a858124e899eb8fd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222253"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222251/image/large-c145f546ef8c4d2a0265d4647ba819a2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222251"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> also presented a 70-metre support vessel, akin to an explorer. It boasts heaps of space to aft to carry a hoard of tenders and toys, as well as a fully certified helipad. While <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> isn’t famed for designing explorers, with the rise in requests for this type of vessel with more rugged capabilities and space for tenders, they’re furthering into the space. “We may not yet be explorer specialists,” Frank said. “But we come with a unique approach and exciting ideas.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222328/image/large-6e792bc5931cab58571e7af30610751e.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222328"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222296/image/large-61e9e66b1764b77a23680738fb25f08f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222296"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222295/image/large-c99e6223e61c6a198bc7304119e30b2a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222295">Spending time at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> proved to be a great opportunity to hear about how the design process has adapted over the years, and Frank was more than happy to share. “The process itself hasn’t exactly changed, but client expectations are now higher than they used to be. It is more common to be joined by technical representatives and not just the captain. As the yachts develop there are more specialists involved.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222257/image/large-5a34ae8bd5b8ec1b8f73a9b46009bdb1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222257">“Designers then also manage people and teams – and our clients are well aware of this. If an owner is building his first yacht, he has likely built up factories, businesses and sales teams. He understands the value of communication between teams. There is more of this now than there was before.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222256/image/large-4194c0312fa121069a606c37580b8b88.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222256"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222255/image/large-c84904a3474066cfe9bd2d9dc7edcae8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222255">“The interior/exterior conversation is just one point in question – both frequently work in each other’s field so good communication is paramount. It’s in everyone’s interest to stay on the same page. This isn’t a negative either as it spurs on innovation as design is driven by conversations and people.”The challenge of a designer is how to make something unique and special, but importantly possible. A designer is constantly testing the pliability of the crossroad where tradition and modernity meet, and the continual fleet of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a> pays testament to this.&nbsp;

At the studio with Omega Architects

Project Skyfall yacht exterior rendering

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SkyFall superyacht hull in-build

Project Elle yacht concept

Omega Architects 80m yacht concept 

Omega Architects 70m support yacht concept 

Omega Architects sketches 

Omega Architects 

Omega Architects team

Galactica Star yacht exterior

Heesen Project Castor yacht exterior design 

Samurai yacht cruising

SYT paid a visit to Omega for an exclusive "behind the scenes look" at the Dutch design studio. 

New Designs

The great crossroad of design: At the studio with Omega Architects