US yacht designer Patrick Knowles Designs reveals a first look at the interior concept for the Owner’s Residence aboard the 367ft AUGEAN Expedition Yacht.
US-based yacht designer Patrick Knowles Designs has revealed a first look at the 367ft AUGEAN Expedition Yacht – a supply vessel conversion capable of exploring the globe.
With a name stemming from Greek mythology, an “Augean task” has often been thought of as a mammoth task that at first glance may seem almost impossible, but if the idea of converting a supply vessel into a state-of-the-art expedition yacht posed a challenge – Patrick Knowles and his design team were more than happy to rise to the occasion and make the impossible possible.
Led by Patrick Knowles, the team created the AUGEAN Expedition Yacht concept by firstly extending the intended supply vessel into a 367ft yacht design, fully equipped with the ability to embark on long expeditions and ocean voyages.
Challenged with creating a floating home that felt warm and intimate amidst the cold Arctic environment, the interiors have been entirely redesigned with modern styling, luxurious soft finishings and timber elements made from walnut and oak, creating an inviting and intimate living space onboard.
The AUGEAN features an Owners Retreat (affectionately known as “The Residence”), which occupies the entire third deck and provides a highly private living space with direct helicopter access and 360-degree views of the horizon from the private deck.
Home to the Owners Master Stateroom, the “Residence” is made up of a private salon for the owner, a dining area, his and hers heads, a personal wardrobe, a library & study area, private gym with steam, sauna, and hydrotherapy facilities, a massage/therapy area and even a photo processing lab in which photos and videos taken throughout the day are viewed, sorted and shared.
Along with its own private helipad at the aft and a Jacuzzi on the forward deck, the owner’s deck, which adjoins and extends out from the “Residence,” also offers a large entertaining area for fire-pit gatherings and dining along with a private elevator and staircase connecting the deck to the rest of the yacht.
“Given the size of the vessel, it is easy to feel disconnected or lost in her sheer volume. However, there are several areas that help to reduce the mass of the vessel. One such area is the private observation deck forward, shares Patrick Knowles. “Because of her elevation, when on that deck, it’s difficult to see any of the boat’s structure. You have the feeling of being secluded, [which is] a nice accomplishment to achieve on a vessel this size.”
Additional terrace platforms offer the owner and guests of the AUGEAN the opportunity to enjoy over-water lounging and dining (or for use as a diving platform for those brave enough to enter the sub-zero waters of the Arctic).
Giving further thought to how the owner would engage with and use the space of AUGEAN Expedition Yacht, Patrick Knowles specifically designed dual entry spaces for the owner with one entry created as a wetroom for the owner returning from an at-sea expedition or rough weather conditions outside and the second created as a primary point of reception for the owner to welcome guests onboard.
The first entrance – the wetroom – is designed to include heating for immediate relief from the elements, along with a perforated deck to assist with the run-off of dripping water. Lockers for wet-weather gear would be positioned within arms-reach and double as a dumb waiter ready to shuttle the contents directly to the laundry service below deck before being returned shortly, ready to be used by the owner on their next expedition.
The second entrance – aka the reception – serves as a primary point for the owner to welcome guests onboard to the receiving lounge and would include a concealed refreshment bar, hanging lockers, and a private day head.
In addition, the Owner’s Deck has two flex cabins serving a wide range of purposes, including accommodations for medical or personal protection staff should the owner wish to use them. They can also double as cabins for young grandchildren and their nannies if the family is joining.
Of course, no expedition yacht is complete without a swathe of water toys, aircraft, and land vehicles. The design for the AUGEAN does not disappoint with ample space for two helicopter pads, a seaplane, research and recovery submersibles, amphibious vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and an extensive dive room and a decompression chamber in addition to every surface toy and gadget one can imagine.
AUGEAN’s fully enclosed garage has also been designed to accommodate a 60′ low profile sportfishing craft, and currently includes onboard hospital facilities in the design, in the event of any at-sea emergency or rescue missions!
Throughout the design process of the AUGEAN Expedition Yacht concept, the team at Patrick Knowles Designs worked through and successfully solved the “Augean task” of personalizing the gigantic scale of the supply vessel’s interior volume.
The result is an extraordinary expedition yacht concept that envelopes the owner and those close to him in an intimate setting while providing the rugged capabilities required to travel virtually anywhere in the world the owner desires.