Winch Design has announced a partnership with Italian builder Cantiere delle Marche on a 44-meter (144-foot) Flexplorer 146. Third in the series, the yacht is due to launch in 2025 and the Winch Design interior will showcase a fusion of environmental responsibility and cutting-edge design.
Driven by the owner and his young family’s deep commitment to nature and sustainability, the interior will be crafted largely from eco-friendly materials. The family plans to spend a large amount of time on the yacht and have a strong interest in healthy, sustainable living. Winch Design’s pursuit of sustainable luxury is pushing the boundaries to deliver an eco-friendly yacht.
Using only natural, non-toxic, or eco-friendly materials, the interior will embody the natural world, favoring practices that create low levels of EMF and materials with low VOCs to deliver a clean-living environment. Earthy colors, matte surfaces and organic textures will be used throughout, keeping nature at the heart of the design.
The eco-friendly interior will feature a number of innovative, “green” materials including reclaimed seashell composite, eggshell finishes, Foresso, recycled fishing nets, woven grass and Thames wood. Mafi flooring will be used throughout the yacht, produced by an Austrian company that specializes in the production of high-quality and completely ecological natural wooden floors, free from any VOCs.
The incorporation of eggshell textured walls into the interior imparts a sophisticated and organic aesthetic. 250,000 tons of eggshell waste are produced annually worldwide as a byproduct of the food industry and can be repurposed through a roasting and coloring process to create a variety of patterns, colors and textures. In addition, carpets made from recycled fishing nets provide a soft and plush flooring solution while contributing to the reduction of waste in the oceans. Woven grass is another material that can be seen in a number of applications including ceiling domes.
One of the standout features will be a green living wall made from preserved moss, connecting the interior with nature and providing a focal point on the staircase. Reclaimed seashell composite will be used throughout the bathrooms, which emulates the Ocean’s iridescence and offers a second life to discarded seashells. Rustic charm will be brought to the interior through the use of recycled wood chips on a number of furniture applications, recycling offcut timber and wood dust from local sawmills and building sites to create an organic patterned surface. Palm leather, chosen for its durability and an eco-conscious alternative to animal leather, will also be applied on several furnishings.
The yacht’s engineering also places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. Notably it incorporates a selective catalytic reduction system in compliance with TIER III IMO emissions standards enabling navigation in marine protected areas and sanctuaries such as the Galapagos. The interior outfitting contractor has also been carefully selected based on its carbon-neutral business model.
The interior will mark a new standard for sustainability and the production, carbon footprint and appearance of all materials has been meticulously monitored by the in-house Winch Design Sustainability Specialist working alongside experts EcoNest to achieve global standards for a healthier living environment. All materials have been carefully chosen, and analysis undertaken on their specific set of data related to different criteria to identify their impact on the environment.
The Flexplorer 146 project marks a pivotal moment for Winch Design to bring together years of research in sustainable alternatives to fruition and highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, instilled into the business by founder Andrew Winch throughout the studio’s many years at the vanguard of the industry.
Creative Director, Jim Dixon comments, “Our studio has an important agenda to change our clients’ perception of conscious luxury, and we have a wonderful opportunity in this project to make a significant step forward.”
For more information: winchdesign.com
