Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS), part of The Viken Group, has designed a luxury superyacht, also called a yacht liner, for Four Seasons, a renowned brand that runs 127 luxury hotels and resorts all over the planet. The studio has been appointed for the designing and master planning as well as the complete exterior styling of the 207-metre vessel that is scheduled to be launched in 2025. TDoS also designed all the guest suite accommodation, including the illustrious funnel suite, and a few of the most iconic guest shared areas onboard.
“This project confirms a new and strong trend in modern yachting - luxury yacht liners. They are a new breed of very exclusive vessels that combine the scale of small and intimate cruise ships with superyachts’ amenities, splendour and level of sophistication,” said TDoS’ Partner and Executive Director Fredrik Johansson. “Our new project started with a very clear and unique vision from our client. The brief was condensed into a single line: imagine that [legendary yacht built for Aristotle Onassis] Christina O meets James Bond. It would be hard to go wrong there, you may think - but it is also a huge challenge. You must not go wrong - failure is simply not an option. Every part and every detail of the yacht has to be perfect.”
The yacht is engineered and constructed by Fincantieri.
Established in 2022, The Viken Group includes Tillberg Design of Sweden, Hot Lab and Thalia Marine. It provides a full range of design, naval architecture and project management services in the yachting industry. All these proficiencies will be available to both cruise line and yacht clients, as well as to customers within hotel, resorts and private island developments. TDoS has long been one of the major players in cruising design and today it specialises in design concepts for cruise ships and yachts, while also providing graphic design and branding for a variety of clientele.
Based in Trieste, Italy, Thalia Marine is a full-service project management firm providing technical design expertise ranging from design consultancy, quantity surveys, on-site inspections and much more for the cruise ship and yacht building industries.
Hot Lab from Milan, Italy is The Viken Group’s most recent acquisition. The studio embraces the sophisticated “Architecture for Voyagers” concept that helps find the perfect balance between style and luxury. It has received some of the most prestigious international design awards in the yachting industry, including many World Superyacht Awards and ShowBoats Design, and it works with interior and exterior designs on both custom and series produced yachts.
For the Four Seasons Yacht the TDoS team has created a truly timeless elegance, with a curvaceous and elegant architecture. The harmonious lines and proportions of Christina O, which also featured a very generous and beautifully furnished aft pool deck, inspired the designers to add a 20-metre long pool with a surrounding deck in the very aft of the 14-deck Four Seasons Yacht, and its layout caters perfectly for both privacy and socialising. The pool bottom will double up as a stage for catwalks, live music, etc.
“At the inception of this project, Tillberg Design of Sweden worked very closely with the Marc-Henry team and Four Seasons, in analysing extensive market research, and creating a very clear and solid brand manifesto. As we are building a whole new guest experience from scratch, this document has been instrumental as a guidance for the development of our entire yacht, which has turned out distinctly unique,” said Larry Pimentel, CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings. “The iconic, timeless and beautiful exterior is also the work of TDoS, and they have since master planned the whole vessel, designed all the guest suites, and some of the prime public areas onboard. Our collaboration with TDoS has been incredibly inspiring and fruitful. As our lead architects, they have once again demonstrated their passion and deep knowledge of high-end design, from the broad strokes down to the finest details.”
The silhouette of Christina O is largely shaped by its large and iconic funnel. The Four Seasons Yacht however, will be designed and equipped to minimise emissions. The Tillberg Design of Sweden team therefore thought hard and long of a way to give the funnel of the Four Seasons Yacht a completely new and innovative context - and the concept of the sublime ‘Funnel Suite’ was born. Guests will have a total of 892 square metres of combined indoor & outdoor space, distributed over four levels, meaning that they really are on top of the world here. It’s also accessible, directly and privately, from a tender platform at water level, allowing one to invite friends onboard at complete discretion. This is as close as one will come to a true James Bond moment on any yacht.
“Much inspiration was taken from the private and sophisticated atmosphere of Surf Club, Miami Beach - and of course from the golden era of classic yachting. Already at the outset, we concluded that the master planning must be made to welcome every single guest as if it was to the yacht of a close friend, instilling an instant sense of relaxation and belonging,” adds Johansson.
Yet another spectacular design feature onboard is the port-to-starboard transversal marina. Not only is this dual marina a unique engineering masterpiece, but its terraced design also allows the guests to enjoy the sea first hand, with immediate access to water activities, and to “sea limousine” transfers to shore. It can also be transformed into an exclusive dining experience.
As for the interior, the TDoS’ design team will create suites and social spaces that reflect a truly effortless Dolce Vita and worldly sophistication, offering everything that is essential for a truly epic yachting experience.
The vessel’s 95 spacious accommodations will feature an extensive network of joining suite combinations creating adaptable, villa-like residences. Each suite will offer floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed natural light and access to expansive terrace decks. The combination of generous indoor and outdoor private guest space and ceiling heights of more than 2.4 metres will achieve a new level of guest comfort. The Four Seasons Yacht will also feature a number of high-class restaurants, lounges, bars, spas and other high-class amenities.
Tillberg Design of Sweden has a strong experience in the relatively new yacht liner field. The studio is the lead architect for master planning and interior concepts for 222-metre Somnio dubbed the world’s largest private residence superyacht and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.