Tuesday, April 1, 2008

"Maraya": a name that brings to mind echoes of distant paradises and given to the new 54-metre hull turned out by CRN shipyard. "Maraya", construction project number 121 in steel and aluminium, was launched last 8th September. <br /><br />Fruit of the working relationship between the technical staff of CRN and Zuccon International Project, which designed the external layout, this five-deck ship was built from the same nautical platform as the 54-metre ship "Ability".Fruit of the working relationship between the technical staff of CRN and Zuccon International Project, which designed the external layout, this five-deck ship was built from the same nautical platform as the 54-metre ship "Ability".<br />At the request of the ship-owner, the interior furnishings were handled by the designers of the Claude Missir Agency. While the healthy external volumes leave no question as to the fact that the vessel is a CRN ship, the interiors of this mega-yacht herald the start of an absolutely new design approach.<br />The fundamental design choices underlie the vessel's interior decorating scheme: a single type of wood, channel walnut, line the panels and the built-in furnishings and fixtures, while the floors re-decorated with two-tone geometric squares whose materials change in the various settings.<br /><br />"Maraya", a fully customised project that faithfully mirrors the client's wishes, is the shipyard's first mega-yacht to utilise a lighting system based exclusively on fibre optics and led. This innovative feature is fully in line with the vessel's overall concept of harmony and modern elegance.<br /><br />In addition to serving as a refined element of decoration, the lighting plays a key role in the architecture of the boat, heightening its charm and seduction.<br /><br />The spaces are set apart by cones of light typical of a fibre-optical system and projected in a precise manner towards the specific decorative features, lending them even greater depth. This dialogue between light and interior decoration provides the key for analysing the design choices made in outfitting "Maraya".<br /><br />This distinctive characteristic becomes visible as soon as one enters the lounge of the main deck, which is preceded by an outdoor relaxation area equipped with comfortable sofas. Covering an area of 100 sqm, the main lounge is part of a single space that includes a dining room seating 12. All that divides the two areas is a bureau with a 42" plasma TV, equipped with an up-down hideaway mechanism and designed to be rotated at 180°, so that it can be viewed from both areas.<br /><br />The flooring of this day area follows a refined, unique design, being made of tiles in Navona Travertine marble with parquet frames.<br /><br />An interplay of light and shadow can be found throughout "Maraya", created by more than 600 points of light installed in all the internal areas set aside for the 12 guests.<br /><br />This alternating motif is also present on the four beige velvet couches and on the two cream-coloured chairs upholstered in leather and found in the lounge, together with two ebony coffee tables and two leather trunks whose surfaces can also hold objects. Meanwhile two benches in morado wood, a dark material offset with elegant veins, serve as the central coffee tables.<br /><br />The vertical cones of light in this conversation area combine with the horizontal bands of the decorative floor and table lamps, giving rise to an alternating sequence of reflections and stage-like effects similar to those of a museum. The ivory-colour curtains and the window frames in Nabuk leather complete the chiaroscuro interplay of the lounge.<br /><br />In other words, the design of the vessel marks a change in the language of the architecture itself. Not only is the personality of "Maraya" forcefully highlighted through the decorative elements, but the light serves as a further factor of style.<br /><br />The lights are crisply outlined, featuring elegant curves and strong vertical lines, as well as dark tones, such as those of the decorative panels in Canaletto walnut, offset by luminous bands of white. The skilfully arranged sequence of artfully lit scenes that unfolds in each of the settings recreates a seductive, soft, delicately muted lounge setting. A unmistakable aura of privacy thus characterises not only the night area, but all the areas set aside for the daytime activities of the guests, such as the two lounges on the main deck and the upper deck.<br /><br />Exquisite materials and finishing touches are to be found in the dining room, equipped with a large ebony table and comfortable seats made of antiquated beechwood and upholstered with pummelled leather in a cognac shade.<br /><br />Moving in the direction of the bow, we find a lobby finished in parquet to the right, including a glass elevator that services the 3 covered decks of "Maraya". The owner's cabin begins with a private study and is characterised throughout by the masterful use of Nabuk leather, as in the case of the headboard and the window frame, a decorative motif that is also taken up in the 5 guests cabins. The floor of the owner's suite, made of a parquet frame that surrounds a central zone of light-shaded carpeting, reinforces the luminous, modern elegance of the setting, though the owner's private balcony is definitely the single most innovative element. A distinctive feature of this ship, it was built to serve as a full-fledged platform perched over the sea, thanks to a hatch that can be lowered 90 degrees and outfitted as a fully-fledged balcony, with tables and chairs for taking breakfast.<br /><br />Two closet cabins, a corner area outfitted with comfortable upholstered chairs and a coffee table, plus a dressing-room table complete the suite, for which the owner has chosen a 42" Magic Mirror TV: a television, installed in front of the bed, that is transformed into a mirror when it is turned off.<br /><br />The ship-owner's bathroom, which follows a minimalist, refined design, is equipped with a double entrance and double toilet facilities, plus a wash basin in serene stone and a spectacular oval bathtub made of Corian and designed by the exclusive Company Boffi. Another TV, measuring 32" and positioned in front of the bathtub, where it offers the same "magic mirror" function, completes this meeting, unmatched in terms of its forms and materials.<br /><br />Also found on the main deck is a high-tech kitchen made entirely of steel and equipped with ovens made by Rational, for high-class cooking.<br /><br />From the lobby, the elevator leads to the lower deck, which holds 4 guest cabins, equipped with separate bathrooms and wardrobe closets and decorated with flooring consisting of a central portion in carpeting, framed by parquet. A fifth, VIP guest cabin is located at the centre of the vessel, on the upper deck. The bathrooms are lavishly decorated with sivec marble and floors heated in the areas of the sanitary facilities.<br /><br />The decorating schemes of the three VIP cabins with double beds feature muted colour tones of brown, beige and indigo, whereas a completely different style has been used for the two cabins with twin beds, one of which even has a French bed. The upholstery has been chosen in classic seagoing colours: red, blue and white, together with striped motifs and flags, all of which create a lively, refreshing décor. The architects have outfitted each of the guest cabins with exquisite Flos table lamps designed by Philippe Starck and coordinated with the dominant colours in the rooms.<br /><br />Moving along this deck, in the direction of the bow, we come across the zone set aside for the 10-man crew of "Maraya". The area holds a roomy crew mess and 6 comfortable cabins, all with their own bathrooms, while the laundry area, the dry storage space and cold room are found on the sub deck below.<br /><br />The Captain's quarters are on the upper deck, next to the radio room and the wheelhouse, which are equipped with all the latest devices needed by a pleasure vessel. The external well area of the upper deck holds a comfortable dining area, plus two semi-circular sofas and a chaise-longue. All the outside areas of "Maraya" are decorated with fabrics in ecrù shades, while the decorative cushions set themselves apart with their geometric and floral motifs, all in pastel hues.<br /><br />On entering the sky lounge, guests find themselves in a relaxation area holding two chocolate-coloured leather couches, plus an elegant gaming table of morado wood on the left. In order to provide every possible comfort, his space is also equipped with a corner bar and a 42" TV that hides away in a custom-designed bureau. The stern hatch closes with four sliding linen panels that replace the standard curtain.<br /><br />A cosy, intimate lounge atmosphere is found throughout the large sun deck, where the owner has established alluring niches for relaxation and confidentiality. The classic sun lounges have been replaced astern by two round Orbit units: comfortable island units equipped with tops that can be raised or lowered to be protected from the sun, when necessary. A drawing room decorated in synthetic fabrics featuring light hues sits behind the dining table, which is covered and served by a large, fully equipped bar. On the forward portion of the deck is the traditional Jacuzzi whirlpool tub, almost 2 metres in diameter and surrounded by cushioned furniture in vibrant designs. The ear portion of the sun deck, which can be outfitted for the landing of a helicopter weighing up to 1500 kg, also holds a ski boat measuring 7.10 m.<br /><br />In the engine room, which comes with its own control room, two Caterpillar 3512B engines drive the vessel at a cruising speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 15 knots.<br /><br />To the rear of the engine room is a garage that holds a CASTOLDI JET 23 tender measuring 7.10 m, while the jet ski and the rescue boat are positioned in the technical area, found in the forward portion of the main deck.<br /><br />There is no fitness area on the "Maraya", a mega-yacht custom-designed by its owner to cater to the needs of his family. In fact, the stern portion of the lower deck, facing out on the beach platform, is outfitted as a "children's room", giving small guests the chance to play right next to the ocean, in a magically seductive setting.<br /><br />Photo credit: Maurizio Paradisi