Combining an enormous volume with a 56.5m LOA and perfectly balanced proportions – as well as thoughtful customisations that set her apart from her sisters in the series – Virtuosity The second hull of the new 57Steel line from Sanlorenzo.
Sanlorenzo had to carefully balance volume, size and proportions when creating the new 57Steel series. The Italian builder aimed to increase its selection of steel-hulled yachts with a product that offered a generous volume above 1,000GT, without being too long or looking top heavy.
Ferruccio Rossi, Group General Manager and President of Sanlorenzo Superyacht, says: “One of the 57Steel’s strengths lies precisely in being able to provide extraordinary volumes and liveable spaces, while staying below 60m in length and maintaining a perfect balance in proportions.”
It was a challenging brief for the yacht’s designer, but fortunately one that it was prepared for, as Zuccon International Project is one of Sanlorenzo’s longtime collaborators.
“My design has become almost second nature when it comes to drawing for Sanlorenzo,” Bernardo Zuccon says. “The integration and synergy with the shipyard’s style have made it almost spontaneous for me to incorporate the Sanlorenzo DNA into new designs. Starting from a general language, I introduced stylistic elements and details to make the 57Steel an extremely recognisable yacht.”
Styled for the Owner
Zuccon aimed to create a timeless style exterior that would stand out from the rest of the fleet and be recognisable within the Sanlorenzo group. The designer achieved it with specific design features, such as handrails that are unique to the upper and main deck.
A different colour than the rest of all-white VirtuosityThe dark-grey handrails guide the eye upwards from the deck below. The handrails don’t merely end at the top of the bulwark, but continue at a 45-degree slope, connecting to the superstructure above. This subtle style cue gives the impression of movement and forward momentum.
Virtuosity The first 57Steel was introduced in 1957. Alma. It’s obvious that the two are sisters, but Virtuosity Grey-hulled Alma With a hull and superstructure that are almost entirely white.
Rossi says: “Virtuosity The line is characterized by a distinctive colour that gives it a sportier look, according to the wishes of the client. The foredeck pool is another distinctive exterior element. Virtuosity’s upper deck, located in front of the owner’s cabin.” Such personalisation speaks to Sanlorenzo’s quest, and company motto, to create ‘made to measure’ yachts.
DIFFERENT LEVELS
To strike a proper proportional balance in the 57Steel series, the yacht’s general arrangement was pored over and revised from what you might typically expect in a yacht of similar length. A layout that breaks with tradition was created.
The wheelhouse, which is normally located forward on the upper level, has been moved up by one level. The enclosed bridge is placed forward on top deck instead of a sun deck that’s completely open. This is set forward of a chart room and captain’s cabin, while a corridor leads to a small interior lounge/DJ area that opens out onto an aft deck exterior party area.
“It’s a real bridge deck, like those found on much larger yachts, which made it possible to utilise the upper deck in a different way,” Rossi says.
A higher vantage point for the bridge is not only a benefit to the captain, but this shakeup in the general arrangement has allowed the upper deck to host a sprawling 54sqm owner’s suite like you might find on a yacht with a longer LOA.
An owner’s office and walk-in dressing room at the entrance to the suite lead into the forward-facing bedroom. This upper-deck oasis is surrounded by windows, and at an elevated height. It offers expansive views.
Zuccon says: “It’s challenging to pinpoint a single favourite space on board Virtuosity, but considering the typological characteristics of the yacht, the owner’s cabin on the upper deck with its exclusive external deck is perhaps the most fascinating space on board.”
On the main deck forward is a full-beam stateroom that would make for an enviable VIP cabin or a worthy second owner’s suite for dual charterers. On the lower deck, there are four additional cabins. Two of them are doubles, and two are twins. One can be used as a crew cabin.
CUSTOMIZATION IS IMPROVING
The build of Virtuosity After months of carpentry, the client was able to add their own personal touch to the vessel. Rossi explains: “One of the most interesting challenges was meeting the clients’ request for a ‘masterpiece’ within the boat, a situation that could create astonishment, a wow effect.”
Lissoni & Partners created Virtuosity’s minimal yet chic interior, which includes a wow-feature of a staircase at its core. Designer Piero Lissoni, Sanlorenzo’s Art Director, is known for his utterly unique, architectural staircases, and the one found on Virtuosity is no exception. This curvaceous stairway is a study in organic forms. piece de resistance That’s what I set out to do.
“I couldn’t resist adding one of my staircases,” Lissoni admits. “It’s not a simple staircase; it belongs to a kind of twilight zone, something in-between different places. I hope that the owners keep on going up and down these stairs as if they were in a dream.”
The steel and aluminium staircase spans four floors, winds itself around and creates a new perspective on pathways and passages. A glass skylight allows natural light to filter in, creating a play of light and shade.
The challenge was to achieve a feeling of transparency and weightlessness while maintaining structural integrity. Precision engineering and innovative construction methods, overseen by Lissoni’s team, were employed to bring this exceptional staircase to life.
Rossi says: “It was a stimulating challenge not only from a formal and stylistic perspective but also from an engineering and craftsmanship standpoint due to the complexities arising from placing such a sculptural staircase in such a compact space with a complex structure.”
Onboard technology is also a big interest for clients, particularly audio/video. Virtuosity A DJ area, complete with DJ decks, is situated aft of the bridge deck. It also has a bar. The space creates an ideal space to celebrate. This party area, as well as a pool on the main deck and a beach club below, shows that Virtuosity Entertainment is the key.
Building a superyacht on spec can be a gamble, but it’s one that paid off for Sanlorenzo. Three units of the 57Steel series are already being produced. And Zuccon says that the owner’s satisfaction with Virtuosity A collaboration for a larger project is ongoing.
The word Virtuosity, of course, means an impressive skill in an artistic pursuit, and it could be said that the yard and designers have showcased great virtuosity befitting of the yacht’s name in the creation of this well-balanced superyacht.
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This article was first seen on yachtstyle.co
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