Destined for Dubai Marina? Jazzy addition to superyacht world

Zaha Hadid, the Iraqi-British architect, has unveiled a prototype for a 128-metre superyacht, in conjunction with German ship builders Blohm + Voss.

Pritzker prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid has collaborated with the renowned Hamburg-based shipbuilders Blohm+Voss to design a new superyacht. Zaha Hadid Architects / Blohm+Voss

New yacht? Boring. New superyacht? Daddy bought me one last year. New superyacht designed by celebrated architect Zaha Hadid? OK, now you have my attention.

Following on from triumphs such as London’s Olympic Aquatics Centre and the Guangzhou Opera House in China, the Iraqi-British architect has unveiled a master prototype for a 128-metre superyacht, in conjunction with German shipbuilder Blohm + Voss. The prototype forms the basis for a further five yachts, each 90 metres in length.

When describing a fancy new superyacht, it is standard procedure to focus on its internal aspects such as dozens of opulent guest suites, helipads, swimming pools (that may also convert into dance floors) and so forth.

Yet the unique selling point of a superyacht designed by Zaha Hadid, one of the most celebrated architects of the past 20 years, will always be its exterior structure. And the results do not disappoint.

The external structure of the Jazz yacht, the first of five 90 metre yachts to be technically specified by Blohm + Voss from the original prototype design, could not be further from the clean horizontal lines favoured in the design of traditional superyachts.

The yacht’s appearance is, according to the official release, “informed by fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems, with hydrodynamic research informing the design of the hull”. The yacht’s upper section structure consists of an interwoven network of supports of varying thicknesses, designed to evoke the organic structural systems found in natural marine formations.

To this writer’s eyes, however, it resembles a spaceship manned by alien life forms with a superior intellect from another galaxy, as imagined by Japanese cartoonists. And in case you’re wondering, that’s a very good thing.

While this is Ms Hadid’s first venture into superyachts, Blohm + Voss have a long and distinguished track record. Their roster includes the 162-metre-long personal yacht of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the world’s second largest yacht, Eclipse, owned by the Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich.

How much will Jazz set you back once its built? If you have to ask that, it’s probably not for you. But here’s hoping that it will be spotted at the Dubai Marina before too long.

Q&A

Who is Zaha Hadid?

Zaha Hadid is one of the most celebrated architects working today. Born in Baghdad in 1950, she established her own practice in London in 1980. She was awarded the Pritzker Prize – considered equivalent to the Nobel Prize for architecture – in 2004, the first woman to receive the honour.

Here in the UAE her work can be experienced first hand by driving to Abu Dhabi island, over the Sheikh Zayed Bridge, which she designed. It was announced last month that she would design a number of serviced apartments for the ME by Meliá hotel in Dubai, scheduled to open in 2016.

It’s a lovely exterior, but what about the features inside?

According to the shipbuilder Blohm + Voss, the yachts “have been designed to fulfil the different requirements and individual requests of their designated owners. Each design will vary in layout according to the owner’s preferences.” So fret not, there will be plenty of room for the swimming pool(s) and any other refinements that your heart may desire.

When can I my hands on one?

Not anytime soon sadly. At time of writing, the yachts were only a concept, launched at the latest exhibition of Zaha Hadid’s work at David Gill Galleries in London last month. Blohm + Voss were confident that the yachts will eventually see the light of day and hit the ocean wave, but didn’t speculate on when that would be.