Outlier: new 2000 GT concept from Foster + Partners and Lateral
British studio Foster + Partners has unveiled a megayacht concept with a unique engineering approach that allows for the creation of triple-height living spaces and promises to "push the boundaries of yacht design". The new design concept is aimed at showcasing how a 2,000 GT yacht could feature attributes typically found on vessels exceeding 5,000 GT. To illustrate this, Foster + Partners collaborated with naval architecture specialist Lateral on the design for the 88-metre Outlier I yacht. The project is based on the third generation of the studio's Ultra-Efficient Hull series and adopts Lateral's battery-powered Electric Hybrid system.
The design's key innovation is the relocation of the engine room towards the bow, which frees up space in the middle and aft sections for larger living areas with double and triple-height ceilings that can be naturally lit via floor-to-ceiling glazing.
The longer hull and redistributed machinery create up to 40 per cent more exterior space, while internal routing of exhaust systems allows for greater flexibility in the yacht’s profile. The extra exterior space allows the vessel to offer features such as a swimming pool and helipad.
Visualisations created by the studio show a faceted hull design with an angled section of glazing allowing daylight to flood into a central atrium.
The triple-height space contains a lounge and dining area, with a glass lift and spiral staircase that lead up to further social areas, including a bar and a private deck on the top level.
The yacht also features a full-length service spine on the tank deck that incorporates storage and circulation. According to the studio, this spine helps improve connectivity for guests and crew both horizontally and vertically.
Although developed with the 2,000 GT market in mind, Lateral says the concept can be scaled down to 1,500 GT or even 950 GT, bringing the same technical backbone to smaller formats.
