In the last three decades, the yacht design process has changed more than it did
for the previous 10,000 years, when boats were built by hand with the materials
at hand — be they papyrus, seal skin or wood. For millennia, boats were
propelled by wind or muscle power, practices that remained unchanged until the
19th century's Industrial Revolution developed steam engines and dug coal to power
them. A century later, improved chemistry created composite structures made of
fiberglass and resins which, for the first time, allowed for mass production of
yachts. Simultaneously, the information age was leaping ahead, which led to yacht
design software capable of making weight and stability calculations, creating
accurate, realistic 3-D images, and making cascading changes as designs were altered.
GCMNA makes intensive, innovative use of several software programs to prepare a total design package, including the profile and arrangements, engineering, weight distribution, stability, hydrodynamics, interior/exterior layout, mechanical and electrical systems, and commissioning.
Establishing the goals for your yacht
Before starting any design project, the GCMNA team consults with you to learn about the type of yacht you have in mind. Naturally, we explore such aspects as the yacht's purpose, size, speed, interior space requirements and classification.
But we also become acquainted with your lifestyle. Your yacht is an individual statement, a reflection of your identity and taste. Our drawings are not "off the shelf" — we design around your needs. So we ask a lot of questions. And we listen carefully to the answers.
How do you plan to use the yacht? Is speed or distance cruising your goal? Will you do much entertaining? Do you want to fish? How many crew will be aboard? Will your children or grandchildren accompany you? If so, how will that influence the stateroom configuration? While aboard, will you catch up on your reading? On the latest movies? What are your safety concerns? Do you want a full displacement or a semi-displacement yacht?
During our exchanges, ideas flow freely and "spark" off each other. It's one of the most creative, fun and gratifying aspects of the design process.
Designing the profile and arrangements
Although it might appear a design starts with the technical aspects of your yacht, in reality we begin by developing the "look." It's where the right-brain, intuitive-thought patterns play a major role. After our discussions, we sketch the preliminary profile and arrangements by hand. This conceptual phase becomes the "design statement" which defines the yacht's intent, tests the realism of the ideas and includes details that will establish the yacht's unique style.
We emphasize that the early design phases are a step-by-step process requiring layers of reiteration. Sometimes desired specifications may compete, even clash with each other. The yacht's beam, say, may be too narrow to accommodate the number of staterooms requested and so we must make adjustments. We call this the "design spiral."
Preparing the hull concept is key to defining the space available on each deck for living quarters and for the rooms occupied by mechanical systems.
The next step focuses on designing the superstructure, which establishes cabin height along with requisite space for raceways, ducts and mechanical channels.
A draft of the interior layout is next.
These preliminary drawings reveal any design conflicts that must be resolved, uncover cost or manufacturing implications, and give you an opportunity, in 3-D images, to judge if the yacht meets your expectations. The design spiral "proves" the concept.
Refining the concept
After receiving your input on the preliminary depictions, the GCMNA crew refines the general interior and exterior layouts, and the styling. The major divisions of the interior will be designated, including the configuration of the living quarters, galley, helm station, engine room, probable tank placements, utility areas, conduits for mechanical and electrical systems, air handling ducts, stairs and storage. The design will pay special attention to headroom clearance around steps and companionways. As the design changes, our software allows for continual updating of the entire project.
Preparing renderings and a scale model
Once the next phase of the design is ready, GCMNA will prepare and send you 3-D renderings of the yacht. These pictures are worth several thousand words. At your request, we can also build a detailed scale model. Being able to assess a miniature version of your future yacht will give you tremendous confidence in the final product.
Fine-tuning the interior
After you have reviewed the preliminary 3-D images, this is the phase when brainstorming about the specific features of the yacht's interior is again a crucial component of the design process. We explore the themes you'd like to develop, the specific styling to satisfy those themes, and the type of furniture, materials, wood finishes, fabrics, hardware and artwork you'd like to see in the yacht's finished state. Your creativity and originality is part of the fun.
The sample board and 3-D renderings
The next stage of the interior design incorporates the results of our latest brainstorming sessions and leads us to produce a complete set of 3-D renderings.
As these 3-D images are computer generated, you can view each area from multiple angles and "fly" visually through the yacht. You will also be able to see the elevation for each space. This is an additional opportunity to make changes and adaptations, adjust styling details and rearrange furniture.
If requested, we can also prepare full-color sample boards. These measure about 75 x 90 centimeters and provide a realistic portrayal of how the quarters will ultimately look. Each board presents an individual room and includes a concept drawing; a top view of the space; renderings of the walls and how furniture will fit against them; renderings of wall coverings and lighting; samples of woods used, their finishes and joinery; hardware samples; carpeting; fabrics and upholstery; and, exemplars of such claddings as travertine, marble, granite or Corian.
The renderings and sample boards provide you with a strong indication of the "atmosphere" that will prevail in your yacht.
Decorating the interior
Some of the yacht's furnishings will be built in — other pieces will be constructed or purchased separately. During the decoration phase, you will make the final selection of a myriad of things: deckhead finishes, moldings and wainscoting, light fixtures for all areas, draperies and other window coverings, floor coverings, bathroom fixtures, switches and outlets, countertop finishes, wall treatments, upholstery fabrics for furniture, bed linens and furniture hardware. The names of manufacturers are included as appropriate.
In the decoration phase, we again combine our creativity with powerful technology. Let's assume we've designed the master stateroom with cherry joinery and a certain color theme. This will be our "showcase cabin." With the click of a key, we can show you in 3-D how your stateroom looks in teak, or mahogany, or pear, or any other wood you might choose. We can instantly change the fabrics and wall coverings, choosing among thousands of colors. We can show you the effects of different art objects, novel lighting, or different carpet. This capability gives you true choices in what your interior will look like.
Designing practical aspects of the yacht
Now that the main configuration and interior features of the yacht have been established, the next design phase focuses on specific details of the yacht's functionality. Questions asked include:
GCMNA makes intensive, innovative use of several software programs to prepare a total design package, including the profile and arrangements, engineering, weight distribution, stability, hydrodynamics, interior/exterior layout, mechanical and electrical systems, and commissioning.
Establishing the goals for your yacht
Before starting any design project, the GCMNA team consults with you to learn about the type of yacht you have in mind. Naturally, we explore such aspects as the yacht's purpose, size, speed, interior space requirements and classification.
But we also become acquainted with your lifestyle. Your yacht is an individual statement, a reflection of your identity and taste. Our drawings are not "off the shelf" — we design around your needs. So we ask a lot of questions. And we listen carefully to the answers.
How do you plan to use the yacht? Is speed or distance cruising your goal? Will you do much entertaining? Do you want to fish? How many crew will be aboard? Will your children or grandchildren accompany you? If so, how will that influence the stateroom configuration? While aboard, will you catch up on your reading? On the latest movies? What are your safety concerns? Do you want a full displacement or a semi-displacement yacht?
During our exchanges, ideas flow freely and "spark" off each other. It's one of the most creative, fun and gratifying aspects of the design process.
Designing the profile and arrangements
Although it might appear a design starts with the technical aspects of your yacht, in reality we begin by developing the "look." It's where the right-brain, intuitive-thought patterns play a major role. After our discussions, we sketch the preliminary profile and arrangements by hand. This conceptual phase becomes the "design statement" which defines the yacht's intent, tests the realism of the ideas and includes details that will establish the yacht's unique style.
We emphasize that the early design phases are a step-by-step process requiring layers of reiteration. Sometimes desired specifications may compete, even clash with each other. The yacht's beam, say, may be too narrow to accommodate the number of staterooms requested and so we must make adjustments. We call this the "design spiral."
Preparing the hull concept is key to defining the space available on each deck for living quarters and for the rooms occupied by mechanical systems.
The next step focuses on designing the superstructure, which establishes cabin height along with requisite space for raceways, ducts and mechanical channels.
A draft of the interior layout is next.
These preliminary drawings reveal any design conflicts that must be resolved, uncover cost or manufacturing implications, and give you an opportunity, in 3-D images, to judge if the yacht meets your expectations. The design spiral "proves" the concept.
Refining the concept
After receiving your input on the preliminary depictions, the GCMNA crew refines the general interior and exterior layouts, and the styling. The major divisions of the interior will be designated, including the configuration of the living quarters, galley, helm station, engine room, probable tank placements, utility areas, conduits for mechanical and electrical systems, air handling ducts, stairs and storage. The design will pay special attention to headroom clearance around steps and companionways. As the design changes, our software allows for continual updating of the entire project.
Preparing renderings and a scale model
Once the next phase of the design is ready, GCMNA will prepare and send you 3-D renderings of the yacht. These pictures are worth several thousand words. At your request, we can also build a detailed scale model. Being able to assess a miniature version of your future yacht will give you tremendous confidence in the final product.
Fine-tuning the interior
After you have reviewed the preliminary 3-D images, this is the phase when brainstorming about the specific features of the yacht's interior is again a crucial component of the design process. We explore the themes you'd like to develop, the specific styling to satisfy those themes, and the type of furniture, materials, wood finishes, fabrics, hardware and artwork you'd like to see in the yacht's finished state. Your creativity and originality is part of the fun.
The sample board and 3-D renderings
The next stage of the interior design incorporates the results of our latest brainstorming sessions and leads us to produce a complete set of 3-D renderings.
As these 3-D images are computer generated, you can view each area from multiple angles and "fly" visually through the yacht. You will also be able to see the elevation for each space. This is an additional opportunity to make changes and adaptations, adjust styling details and rearrange furniture.
If requested, we can also prepare full-color sample boards. These measure about 75 x 90 centimeters and provide a realistic portrayal of how the quarters will ultimately look. Each board presents an individual room and includes a concept drawing; a top view of the space; renderings of the walls and how furniture will fit against them; renderings of wall coverings and lighting; samples of woods used, their finishes and joinery; hardware samples; carpeting; fabrics and upholstery; and, exemplars of such claddings as travertine, marble, granite or Corian.
The renderings and sample boards provide you with a strong indication of the "atmosphere" that will prevail in your yacht.
Decorating the interior
Some of the yacht's furnishings will be built in — other pieces will be constructed or purchased separately. During the decoration phase, you will make the final selection of a myriad of things: deckhead finishes, moldings and wainscoting, light fixtures for all areas, draperies and other window coverings, floor coverings, bathroom fixtures, switches and outlets, countertop finishes, wall treatments, upholstery fabrics for furniture, bed linens and furniture hardware. The names of manufacturers are included as appropriate.
In the decoration phase, we again combine our creativity with powerful technology. Let's assume we've designed the master stateroom with cherry joinery and a certain color theme. This will be our "showcase cabin." With the click of a key, we can show you in 3-D how your stateroom looks in teak, or mahogany, or pear, or any other wood you might choose. We can instantly change the fabrics and wall coverings, choosing among thousands of colors. We can show you the effects of different art objects, novel lighting, or different carpet. This capability gives you true choices in what your interior will look like.
Designing practical aspects of the yacht
Now that the main configuration and interior features of the yacht have been established, the next design phase focuses on specific details of the yacht's functionality. Questions asked include:
- Are the traffic patterns adequate?
- What are the optimum locations for hatches, portholes and doorways?
- How does the yacht store tenders, aquatic equipment and transportation devices?
- Where will utilitarian equipment like a washer/dryer, freezers, wine coolers and tool chests fit?
- What are the escape routes if the yacht were to founder?
