A technically demanding brief

The competition challenged entrants to envision themselves as recent graduates working at Feadship, tasked with designing a yacht for an existing Feadship owner eager to explore beyond the Mediterranean.

The brief called for a long-range expedition yacht, capable of navigating remote and high-latitude regions such as the Northwest Passage. It needed to seamlessly combine robust seaworthiness with the refined luxury expected from a Feadship vessel, while also incorporating dedicated research facilities, accommodation for scientists conducting ocean conservation studies, and helicopter-carrying capabilities.

Rugged exteriors, a warm and inviting interior

ZAZI means "to know oneself" in Zulu. A name chosen carefully — as the owner moves to explore uncharted territories, you really have to be 100% sure of yourself.

Translating the spirit of an expedition vessel into a tangible design was both a challenge and a creative journey. I spent a significant amount of time studying what defines a true explorer — from its design language to its technical standards.

I wanted to create something that was bold yet graceful, designed not just for endurance but also for the experience. ZAZI's exteriors are rugged and modern, where her interior is warm and inviting. The whole design process was a juggle between the brief, my own design philosophy, and the aspirations of the yacht's future owner.