To secure the contract for the construction of the 54.8-meter yacht Atlante, the designers and shipyard were presented with an uncompromising directive: the design had to be very angular, reminiscent of military aesthetics, and feature a camouflage theme. The outcome is nothing short of extraordinary.
As Mark Twain once remarked, “There are no new ideas. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope…we keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.” This quote resonates with the innovative minds behind Atlante’s creation.
This custom yacht, crafted by Italian shipyard CRN, presents a striking profile with its metallic grey hull, matte jet black superstructure, extensive 200 square meters of glass windows, and its absence of traditional nautical curves.
Stepping on board Atlante reveals an even more captivating dimension. Starting with a relaxing beach club adorned in elegant spruce wood and featuring spaces for a gym and a massage room, a central staircase leads to the main deck. At the top of the stairs, you enter a vast area with wide teak boards and enclosed on all sides. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the gentle light filtering through substantial louvres before details come into focus.
Gradually, from the shadows, a sizable movie screen and a couple of chairs become discernible. But there’s more to it: hinges on the large louvred shell doors on both port and starboard sides, a black crane cleverly integrated into the ceiling, and floor attachments. This area is an exquisitely designed tender garage that can effortlessly transform into an expansive panoramic beach area at the main deck level. The large side doors slide outward before lifting up. Come evening, should the mood strike, this aft deck/upper beach area becomes the ultimate open-air theater, capturing the breeze yet ensuring privacy. It’s just one of many familiar spaces on board that have been reimagined through the kaleidoscope of innovation. This ingenious transformation was inspired by the owner’s request: “I told the designers I did not want to see the tenders.”
After enjoying 15 years of Mediterranean cruises aboard two motor sailers, the owner dedicated nearly four years to conceptualizing, designing, constructing, and finishing his first motor yacht. Despite scouring marinas and magazines, he couldn’t find a vessel that truly ignited his inspiration. “I don’t like round windows or round shapes,” he explains. “I wanted to build something very angular, with a strong military aesthetic, capable of remaining stable when anchored offshore. Most importantly, I desired clean, simple lines—incorporating exquisite details but avoiding over-design.”
An entrepreneur and creator renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, he harbored no reservations about challenging the conventions of the yachting world. Alongside his vision for the yacht’s appearance, he adhered to several principles: Firstly, he wanted the yacht to be constructed in Italy; secondly, he sought a vessel capable of venturing beyond the usual confines of Mediterranean cruising; and finally, he sought partners who would not only comprehend and respect his vision but also translate it with precision. He found these collaborators in Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard of the design studio Nuvolari Lenard.