VRIPACK AND OCEANCO COLLABORATE ON A FUTURISTIC WATER LILY-INSPIRED YACHT
Dutch yacht studio Vripack and Oceanco's Project Lily is one of the most ambitious superyacht concepts of the decade: a 101-metre vessel whose entire form is derived from the organic geometry of a water lily closing its petals. Unveiled at the 2025 Dubai International Boat Show and part of Oceanco's Beyond Custom collection, Lily is aimed squarely at a new generation of owners who demand originality, innovation and environmental responsibility in equal measure.
What inspired the design of Project Lily?
Co-creative director Marnix Hoekstra at Vripack conceived Lily as a response to the homogeneity creeping into the superyacht market. The closing and opening of a water lily's petals suggested a hull and superstructure of overlapping, tiered decks that fold around the guests rather than stack above them. The result is an asymmetric profile where traditional side walkways and exterior terraces are replaced by one-way glass facades: the outer skin appears smooth and impenetrable, yet guests inside enjoy uninterrupted panoramic ocean views from every deck level. The steel hull carries the continuous lines of a sailing yacht despite being a fully motorised vessel.
Interior layout and accommodation
Boarding guests arrive at the main leisure deck, greeted by a 4-metre-high ceiling opening onto a wellness zone, an integrated waterside swimming pool and a fully equipped gym. Nine double guest cabins of 50 square metres each are distributed across the half-decks, connected by a glass mezzanine and stairway that floods the central atrium with natural light. Additional guest amenities include an open-plan cinema and a children's play nest accessed by a suspension bridge. The owner's two-level suite sits at the crown of the yacht, incorporating a private interior lily pond, a personal sundeck and a terrace for undisturbed retreat.
Virtual bridge and sustainable propulsion
One of Lily's most radical technical departures is the virtual bridge, positioned amidships instead of the conventional elevated wheelhouse position. Camera arrays and display screens replace forward-facing windows, freeing the entire forward superstructure for guest living space. Port and starboard windows and balconies allow the captain and crew of 33 to verify proximity during manoeuvres. On the engineering side, Lateral Naval Architects specified methanol-reforming fuel cells and dual-fuel methanol-diesel engines, positioning Lily to meet evolving emissions regulations without compromising range or performance. Read the detailed design analysis at Boat International's coverage of Project Lily, and explore the design studio's own documentation at Vripack's official Lily portfolio page.
Photo: Vripack / Oceanco
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