Interior photography by Emilio Bianchi
Exterior photography by Alexis Andrews
Blind Date was launched in summer 2009 at Heesen Yachts shipyard in Oss, The Netherlands. She is the fifth vessel in the 47-Metre displacement class, whose design resulted from the close collaboration of Heesen Yachts’ in house naval architects and Frank Laupman from Omega Architects, who conceived her stream-lined exterior design with its pelican beak bow – the negative sheer style that is Heesen’s trademark.
YN 14347, Blind Date is sister ship to YN 12247, Yalla (2004), YN 13147, Let it Be (2006), YN 13547 Mon Plaisir (2007), and YN 14047 Elandess (2008).
Blind Date sports some major differences from her sister vessels, including: a wheelhouse deck extension that contains a gymnasium; a staircase connecting her four decks, which features a unique panel by artists Based Upon. In addition, the windows of the owner’s suite have been doubled in size to deliver a total of 12.5 sqm of natural light to the bedroom and study.
Powered by a pair of MTU 8V 4000 M70, M/Y Blind Date will reach a maximum speed of over 15 knots.
Blind Date’s interior has been conceived by Keech Green, whose ‘Modern Deco’ style was inspired by the American Art Deco period – a look that is easy to live with, yet one that retains a sense of effortless glamour and timeless elegance.
A special feature on board in the yacht's dining table. Keech Green explains: "With storage of spare table leaves a key issue, our design for the formal dining table on the Main Deck was inspired by the original Robert Jupe table. At it’s most compact the table sits 8 persons. Working with our UK based furniture manufacture an internal mechanism was developed to create a system whereby the table expands to seat 12 simply by turning the top through 90 degrees."
"The entire operation," Green continues "requires two personnel standing on opposite sides of the tables and takes less than a minute to perform. There is no need to remove any part of the table for storage elsewhere. The table is principally constructed of Burr Elm and the requirements of the modified mechanism have dictated the layout of the beautifully crafted top."
The yacht’s ten guests are accommodated in four cabins on the lower deck (one twin and three doubles) and one full beam owner’s suite traditionally located forward on the main deck. Each cabin boasts a private bathroom panelled with different semiprecious stones, including six types of Onyx (Onyx Marina, Botticelli, Smeraldo, Caramel, to name few of them).
The four storey spiral staircase clad in an innovative bronze liquid metal finish, has been sculpted to create reeds rising from the sea bed interwoven with examples of sea life and divers; the finish has been invisibly embedded with 4,000 strands of optical fibres that through close programming of the control system give a dynamic effect of bubbles softly rising up through the reeds which create depth and perspective as well as a unique talking piece.
Keech Green explains "Our initial inspiration for the design of the staircase lining was loosely based on an antique Art Deco panel. As the design developed, it was decided that walls lining the staircase should be finished in antiqued bronze metal. With weight being an issue we were thrilled to discover Based Upon who were able to realize our design by applying their liquid metal finish to a beautifully carved relief which perfectly reflects the spirit of our underwater seascape design"
Lee Prince of Light + Design Associates comments: "Working closely with interior designers Keech Green hands on at Heesen’s workshops enabled careful positioning of each of the 4000 bubbles to create the desired effect - creating light bubbles is quite an unusual weeks work !”
This theme has been carried through to the dining salon, and lounge bar where a decorative screen and below bar screen also have this effect in carved bronze panels.
Heesen Yachts
+31 (0)412 66 55 44
[email protected]
www.heesenyachts.nl
Omega Architects
Frank Laupman
+31(0)487 51 88 89
[email protected]
www.omega-architects.com
Keech Green
+44 (0) 20 7351 5701
[email protected]
www.keechgreen.com
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