Sommaire

The superyacht market is at its crest

The SL44 is very much riding the strong and growing wave of private pleasure yachts that are cruising the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the China Sea. Behind this rather matter-of-fact name lies a sleek 44.5-metre yacht, entirely built in aluminium by the (Italian) shipbuilder Sanlorenzo. All the fittings were entrusted to Studio Liaigre, under the responsibility of Guillaume Rolland.

The brief given by the client and owner of this luxurious sea vessel was short and simple: the yacht was to convey a dialogue between Asian culture and the iconic “French touch” that has become the hallmark of the Liaigre teams. They took up the challenge with relish and realised the dream of a hedonist anxious to express his conception of yachting pushed to its ultimate expression of refinement. More than an art, an art of living.

Mark Seelen

Luxury in simplicity

The play of materials. This is perhaps Liaigre’s greatest strength, that subtle art of combining a very limited number of the noblest materials. In this particular case, the designers decided to opt for wood, mainly light elm and varnished eucalyptus, leather and natural stone, green or white onyx. These beautiful materials are used for furniture featuring clear lines, designed to measure, in a palette of shades that reveal elegant contrasts.

Mark Seelen

The colours are those of the wood species, in its blond or dark versions. They are warmed up by the addition of deep tones, Prussian blue leather in the cockpit, garnet-coloured leather in the dining room and celadon green facing an onyx bar in the smoking room. Not forgetting a palette of whites and creams, particularly on the deck. While each new project has its own unique story to tell, says Guillaume Rolland, there is no mistaking the Liaigre signature that is freely expressed throughout: an apparent simplicity, or at least a conscious attempt at non-ostentatious luxury, and a timeless aesthetic designed to highlight the beauty of the material.

Mark Seelen

On a boat, everything is a matter of flow

Fluidity is the key feature of any boat. The SL44 expresses this freedom of movement in its design, fittings and furniture. As Guillaume Rolland succinctly puts it, sailing on a yacht is above all about living on it. The focus must therefore be on the comfort of the interior and exterior spaces, and their ability to offer moments of conviviality, but also an environment conducive to rest. This fluidity of space is reinforced by a play of transparencies.

The partitions, or to put it more accurately, the walls of partitions, are never put right up against the structure of the boat, they are perforated and fit into the space like floating panels and contribute to the feeling of well-being that emanates from the entire layout. In the cabin, there are no sharp angles, just curves and round lines that give an immediate feeling of softness.

The yacht has been designed as a floating apartment where each room opens onto a different viewpoint. This architectural concept is unique for a yacht this size. The idea is to take advantage of each given space to exploit and optimise all of its functionalities by offering multiple possibilities to the owner.

Mark Seelen

Sailing: an art of living

Are superyachts the last “spaces of freedom”? For Guillaume Rolland, Yacht Designer at Liaigre, sailing offers a perception of space and time that allows us to escape from our usual landmarks and reconnect with the elements. Admiring the sea, gazing out at the horizon, having the choice of destination are absolute luxuries in today’s world. A luxury of remarkable simplicity that is also found in a multitude of details that are not immediately obvious, but that make all the difference and have always characterised Liaigre’s specific approach. A light atmosphere for the day rooms, darker ones for the spaces dedicated to nightlife and parties, a solarium, swimming pool and beach club on the water’s edge, everything about this yacht exudes relaxation and the art of living.

Mark Seelen