In medieval times, alchemy referred to the transformation of one matter to another, such as converting base metal to gold. Today, alchemy describes the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary. With Rossinavi’s 216-foot (66-meter) Alchemy, the evolution from idea to reality was a blend of art, science and magic.
Alchemy’s owner was the key decision-maker from inception to completion. While many individuals building a custom superyacht are involved to some degree, most defer to trusted representatives about the complexities. Not so with Alchemy’s owner.
“We received a very friendly phone call from Fabrizio Loi, a project manager and owner’s rep from Interyachting LLC,” says Philippe Briand, founder and principal of London-based Vitruvius Yachts. “He had an American client who had looked us up on the web and was attracted by the Vitruvius style and naval architecture behind our vessels.”
Vitruvius Yachts, known for low profiles that echo sailing-yacht aesthetics, became responsible for Alchemy’s exterior design and general arrangements plan.
“Alchemy’s silhouette is a study in proportioned balance, exuding tranquility and enhanced by optimal volumes and a thoughtfully distributed living space,” Briand says. “The yacht incorporates the proprietary Briand-optimized hull, plumb bow and stretched lines that draw on the Vitruvius DNA.”
The owner, according to Briand, is a businessman who is extremely practical with discerning taste. During a 10-year period of chartering yachts, he took copious notes about what he liked and didn’t like, in preparation to build his own yacht.
“During the planning phase, we held weekly phone meetings at 5 a.m. New York time every Friday, and face-to-face meetings monthly,” Briand says. “The communication throughout the project was flawless. I personally learned a lot, and one of my big takeaways is: Never assume, always ask. This has become the slogan of the project and is now on the walls of our office.”
Briand says that to create the layout, his team started by asking what the perfect day on board might entail.
“We then divide the deck into purpose, from more formal gatherings to intimate moments such as sundowners and barbecues,” Briand says. “Alongside this comes the challenge of creating hyper-efficient routes for the crew that both maximize service while minimizing intrusion on guest areas.”
Federico Rossi, chief operating officer at Viareggio, Italy-based Rossinavi, says: “The key word for this vessel is balance.” For interior design, Rossi introduced the owner to Venice-based Team for Design and its chief designer, Enrico Gobbi.
Gobbi’s team collaborated with Briand to create large, geometric spaces and openings that allow panoramic views, which are a focal point of the interior design.
“The main brief for the interior styling was to have a relaxed and elegant lounge style—a sophisticated yet quiet atmosphere on all decks,” Gobbi says.
Indeed, a “spa mood” characterizes all the main areas. Natural materials such as wood, stone and leather enhance the soberly chic interior. The look is different from what the owner has in his homes—which Gobbi visited—because on board, the owner wanted what Gobbi calls a minimal penthouse feel with a theme of serenity and wellness.
“The décor of the decks dialogues with the mood of the interiors,” Gobbi says. “Shades of gray were chosen for the external areas of the main deck, recalling the interior salon, and navy-blue and white tones were selected for the areas of the bridge deck and fly deck.”
Oak-dyed natural teak is the primary wood used for the walls. Gobbi wanted a three-dimensional grain, both visually and to the touch.
“All the loose furniture was sourced from the Danish luxury brand Glyn Peter Machin, and customized in the colors of the external decks, where teak wood details are the protagonist,” Gobbi says.
Inside, a particularly captivating interior feature on the main deck is the suspended staircase that crosses the lounge and connects to the bridge deck. White marble steps are suspended between two glass partitions, with leather details on the sides of each step. The double-height staircase opens the space vertically as well as horizontally. Looking aft from the owners’ suite forward, you can see right through the salon to the cockpit.
Art was sourced in galleries throughout the world. Some pieces are signed by Murano glass artists, as well as by artists from Europe, New York and London.
“All are very modern works, some also technological installations, in which the simplicity of the form is emphasized and takes on a strong identity in the colors, also chosen and combined with the main colors of the interiors,” Gobbi says.
Other notable features include a waterside terrace and lounge aft for sunbathing, followed by the spa and gym, which has Technogym equipment. Amidships are the garages and equipment stowage.
Also setting Alchemy apart is the owner’s commitment to sustainability. Briand used advanced hydrodynamics and production engineering to give the yacht a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 13 knots.
“I am fighting against the traditional shape,” Briand says. “I always keep the waterline as long as possible. The longer it is, the less fuel it is going to consume because the hull slices through the water with much less resistance and drag.”
Alchemy also has hybrid propulsion and an electric stabilization system to minimize emissions. The yacht really is a combination of art and science—with a palpable feeling of magic from your first step on board.
ROSSINAVI ALCHEMY
LOA 215ft. 5in. (65.7m)
Beam 37ft. 1in. (11.31m)
Draft 10ft. 2in. (3.11m)
Construction Steel and aluminum
ENGINES Diesel-electric
Speed (max./cruise) 16/12 knots
Range 5,000 nm @ 13 knots
Gross tonnage 1,194
Naval architecture Philippe Briand, Vitruvius Yachts, Rossinavi
Exterior design Philippe Briand, Vitruvius Yachts
Interior design Enrico Gobbi, Team For Design
Builder Rossinavi
This article was originally published in the Summer 2024 issue.
