“With KAPPA, the aft main deck and pool deck are certainly the most obvious standout differences to most other yachts, with a powerful sense of connectivity to the water, both physical and visual,” says Dickie Bannenberg. “The openness and transparency of structure is achieved in part with the transom flying buttresses carrying the hull global loadings and stresses into the rest of the yacht. A pair of inclined pillars run from the pool deck up to the mast, reinforcing the actual and apparent strength of the vessel, whilst also adding to the aesthetic. The terracing of decks cascades down from the main deck onto the pool deck and bathing platform, the flow of stairs aligned with the pillars encourages a natural flow of movement around the yacht with the sensitive placement of surrounding furniture.
The beach club and gym on lower deck open out aft to the vanishing pool, a half level higher, and have several other guest access routes from forward and directly above. To starboard there is a stairwell leading down to the Amphi-Lounge, a multipurpose space that is an underwater viewing gallery and dive store/changing room.
A continuing theme throughout the yacht is visibility. The judicious use of glass interwoven with structural forms has propagated a number of fluid- like shapes giving a dynamic and almost ethereal appearance. This is perhaps more pronounced in forward areas around the guest cabin hull windows and the glass eyelet in the hull topsides beside the owner’s suite. The mast also follows suit enabling easy access and plenty of surfaces for mounting all communications equipment. A sort of bird’s nest sits at the bow; almost an island overhanging the stem connected by a bridge (doubling as a crane) that runs over the top of the rescue boats. This is an open-air viewing snug with a high-low table for exterior dining – a sliding hatch in the deck allows the crew a separate servicing route.”
