Darnet Design is proud to announce that the owner of 64m Atomic has taken delivery of the ABSclassed superyacht, built by VSY in Italy — a momentous and exciting occasion for all parties involved. The project, which was for a repeat client and is the largest build to date for Darnet Design, was a pleasure to work on and we are delighted to have conceived the interior design.
Based in Nantes, France, Darnet Design creates interior and exterior designs for superyachts and production boats. Our studio of 7 is managed by Franck Darnet, founder and CEO, with over 20 years of experience and design credit for more than 2,500 yachts ranging from 12m to 64m. The experience Franck gained while sailing around the world helped him make his clients’ dreams come true and is the basis for our studio’s philosophy, which is to create designs that are an “Art of Space” and “A la carte style”.
Having worked with the owner of Atomic previously, we were familiar with his interior pallet and passion for diving. The brief required a warm, cosy and timeless interior inspired by marine life. This theme extends from bow to stern, achieving calm and inviting spaces throughout the yacht. Sold by Jean-Claude Carme of TWW Yacht Brokers, Atomic is the third yacht in a timeless design series penned by Espen Oeino and is an evolution of her slightly smaller sisterships Sealyon (ex Candyscape II) and RoMa. The project reflects the owner’s drive for precision, performance and design along with his love for the sea. It encapsulates the owner’s corporate inspiration and personal passion for the ocean, most notably in the professional diving centre — a key interior space on the lower deck.
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“The key design words were elegance, warmth and natural,” says Franck Darnet, who had also designed the interior of the owner’s previous 45m yacht. “An elegance that is expressed through simplicity and understatement. The owner’s trust and support has made all the difference in achieving a masterpiece that reflects his personality and matches the needs of his personal and exclusive way of living at sea together with his family.”
To achieve the natural warmth in the interior, we have opted for light-coloured natural materials and tones to achieve the right balance between simplicity and elegance. American walnut features throughout the yacht and is evident on floors, slats and furniture. Elegance and sophistication are added with polished nickel inlays in the shape of grooved brain corals — this is the main design detail and reflects the theme onboard, appearing on panels and the floor. These details are complemented by natural and mushroom finished leather upholstery and 100 per cent white cotton carpets, creating a soft and calming experience underfoot.
Atomic accommodates up to 12 guests across six en suite cabins split between the lower and main decks, with the owner’s master suite situated forward of the main deck. This suite is raised half a level from the main deck and offers just shy of 270-degree views. Behind the master bed are His and Hers bathrooms and wardrobes along with direct access to private exterior terraces. These terraces are both exterior and interior: a reading lounge on starboard side and a large “panoramic shower” on portside. This special exterior design feature by Espen Oeino distinguishes Atomic from the previous yachts RoMa and SeaLyon.
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A key feature within the large bathroom is a dimmable sculpted glass panel by Bernard Pictet, with white Botticino marble on the floor and walls.
The master suite also caters to the owner’s wife and her love of reading with the inclusion of a cosy alcove with an outstanding view out to sea. Another key feature within the room is a central wooden sculpture by Thierry Martenon, with a second piece placed within the main corridor leading to the suite. “The mirror ceiling and the lights give the main corridor on this level an unbelievable feeling,” says Darnet.
This light and engaging look appears within the main staircase and lift where horizontal walnut slats together with over 1,100 metres of LED lighting create an incredibly special atmosphere. Lighting was important throughout the yacht with the main saloon fitted with a custom chandelier above the dining table – designed by our studio and crafted by Black Body using 161 OLEDs to illuminate the dining experience.
Forward of the main saloon is a large decorative bronze panel, which has been sculpted to reflect the strong collaboration between the American owners and the European shipyard and design teams, symbolising an oceanic bridge. “It represents the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and as the owners are avid divers, it makes sense,” says Darnet. The main saloon and dining area have furniture with refined lines and minimalist curves that blend in to the overall look of the interior.
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With two VIP suites on the main deck — behind the master suite and each with large windows — a further two double guest cabins are located on the lower deck along with a cabin for kids that can sleep four on bunkbeds. This deck is also home to the crew forward and the dive centre aft — the heart of Atomic.
The dive centre is a custom build with a specific layout designed and built by Moondog, which specialises in yacht dive centres. The layout of lockers, drawers and mechanically ventilated wetsuit lockers makes the area special for dive equipment. The layout and backlit glass-enclosed lockers create a special aesthetic in the dive centre. A central bench is the correct height for dressing and access to the platform is very convenient.
Convenience was key with the dive centre in every aspect, especially location. The way in which equipment is stowed and accessed alongside the layout of the space with the inclusion of an internal staircase pushes this dive centre out of the usual diving gear spaces seen on other vessels that form part of a tender garage. Atomic has one internal filling station, air and nitric — to allow for longer or deeper dives — one separated filling station on which we can connect a long hose in case we have to charge bottles inside a dive boat that is moored alongside the vessel and one filling station connection on the stern of the vessel in case the dive boat is moored at the stern.
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Every aspect of the dive centre has been carefully considered with features such as a platform that has separate custom-made titanium dive-ladders. It means that the spores can open from the side so guests can go up and down while keeping their diving fins on — a useful feature especially for the elderly and more challenged guests. Thanks to the location of the air and nitric compressor, crew can fill bottles day and night and even with guests around the dive centre. The system is very quiet, so that guests aren’t disturbed by the compressors during heavy dive sessions.
Alongside various safety sensor and systems such as special nitrox sensors, explosion free pumps and extortion fans, Atomic has a portable hyperbaric chamber for one person. This is a fully professional chamber with an automated computer so that once charged and connected, a doctor ashore can monitor and assist the crew during any emergency.
The dive centre can store 24 scuba tank bottles and has six designated mechanically ventilated lockers with keypad locks in which at least three sets can be stored. This space also provides for a designated locker for storing and charging electrical dive equipment as well as a large locker for drysuits and one for spearguns.
The exterior compliments the interior layout by allowing a careful balance between inside and outside areas across the yacht’s four decks, ensuring greater enjoyment for the owner and their guests. For instance, the sundeck is the main party area with a large infinity pool aft, bar amidships and a cosy fire pit forward.
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“We ensured that the sundeck could be used day or night and as such have included lighting within the pool that create amazing colours at night,” says Darnet. The pool area includes seven Tuuci umbrellas for controllable shade during the day. The bar features nine custom stools designed around the owner’s wishes, which required a high and comfortable backrest. The seating around the firepit doubles as a great space to relax and sunbathe during the day. Meanwhile the upper deck aft terrasse offers cosy seating areas, a bar with four custom stools and a large dining area that can seat up to 14 guests.
Unsurprisingly this 64m motoryacht has been fitted with advanced technical solutions and enhanced engineering, adopted from VSY’s 72m flagship Stella Maris, such as a dynamic positioning (DP) system with diesel electric stern thruster. The DP system provides greater control over the vessel while also minimising the impact on the seabed when anchoring. While the Kongsberg integrated control system provides seamless integration of navigation, propulsion control and ship automation.
“Atomic’s owner , loves the sea and intends to cruise in remote areas of the world in a respectful manner for the environment and marine life together with his family and guests,.” says Lorenzo Cerulli, owner’s technical representative. “Therefore, minimising the environmental impact of the yacht was a key objective and underpinned many of the decisions that were made during construction. The shipyard was perfectly aligned with the owner’s wishes and our technical requirements for the integration of leading-edge environmental systems and programs.”
This superyacht has also been fitted with exhaust gas cleaning systems and four 200 kW generators power the electric thrusters, allowing navigation under electric propulsion without starting the main engine. All these systems meet the owner’s desire to minimise the impact Atomic has on the ocean while allowing him and his family to enjoy time at sea.
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Jean-Claude Carme shared his thoughts as the project’s broker: “Delivering Atomic is a very special moment: for the owners, it is the much awaited materialisation of a vision and the promise of uniquely happy times at sea; for the broker, the designers, the build team, it is a great feeling of accomplishment, a commitment fulfilled. Atomic itself is a very special yacht: I dare say one of the finest ever built in Italy, with a strong design by Espen Oeino, a warm and elegant interior design by Franck Darnet, and a high level of technical specifications. TWW thanks all involved in successfully completing this project. We wish the owners a wonderful time onboard and we will follow and assist with enthusiasm the yacht’s ambitious programme of navigation to the world’s most remote and spectacular dive sites.”
Atomic is a strong example of Darnet Design’s expertise in delivering stunning interiors that exceed owner’s expectations. When combined with our studio’s exterior design capabilities — as demonstrated in our 86m Starlight concept, presented to the market at the Monaco Yacht Show 2019 — it reaffirms our ability to deliver a complete turnkey design service.