Heesen Yachts reveals YN 20457 Project Akira, now named Santosha

The first in Heesen's new 57-metre series, she boasts an interior volume of 780GT and features exterior lines penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Originally built on speculation, the vessel's design took a new direction when the owners came on board. Working closely with the yacht's interior designer, Harrison Eidsgaard, and Heesen's interior engineers, the clients tailored the yacht to reflect their taste and lifestyle, transforming Akira into Santosha.

The owners chose the Sanskrit name Santosha for their vessel and the lotus as a logo. This shall remind them to "remain happy under any circumstances or be contented with what we can achieve through our capacity. It creates a balance between our external and internal worlds by controlling the tyranny of the senses. Contentment is a feeling of mental satisfaction."

Peter Wilson', Owner's Representative, said: "Our collaboration with Heesen on this project has yielded an excellent result. Collectively, we have been working as a cohesive team, with each party doing their utmost to achieve a world-class superyacht - one that is distinct from her peers. This was our second project with Heesen, and we look forward to many more in the future. Once delivered, I have no doubt that the clients will enjoy Santosha to her fullest."

First revealed at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, Heesen's 57-metre series has a shapely silhouette with an elongated profile. A sweeping arch ties the length of the superstructure together, while the slightly raked angle of the bow gives the yacht a stretched optical length. The scooped-shaped stern ensures that the 57-metre will stand out among other superyachts berthed in a marina.

Owners' vision and personal touch

Santosha's owners envisioned an interior with a relaxed but elegant ambience, and Heesen's craftspeople masterfully executed this concept. The clients were heavily involved in material selection, incorporating many sustainable options, such as recycled wood, 'performance leather' and 'art silk' carpets. The yacht’s design seamlessly merges luxury and functionality, featuring a free-flowing layout and neutral colour palette.

The interior showcases a refined architectural hierarchy and consistency. Minimalist aesthetics, carefully considered embellishments, and unique door treatments create a sense of fluidity throughout. The design details are meticulously curated, with elements like woven leather accents around the TV in the sky lounge and gleaming curved wallpapers that reflect sunlight.

Santosha's interiors are also adorned with carefully curated art pieces. The use of art adds a playful and brave touch to the serene and elevated decor. The works are balanced by the pale-coloured floors and 'art silk' carpets, contributing to the vessel's fresh and elegant aesthetic.

Interior quarters

The yacht features a nearly 70 sqm owners' apartment, which includes a study, a full beam stateroom, and expansive bathroom. Elegant light fixtures and bespoke artwork make it a truly personal space.

The master bathroom is an ode to the Garden of Eden, with lush white-on-white designs inspired by bas-relief techniques, designed in collaboration with the client, and masterfully crafted by London-based artists of DKT studio.

The snake, a totem animal for the Owners, takes center stage in the artwork. Beyond
transformation, this creature epitomizes rebirth. In its cyclical shedding of its skin, the snake becomes a symbol of renewal and resurrection. The spiritual energy of the snake inspires us to view endings not as finality but as gateways to new beginnings. The snake also represents the journey of healing.

The area also sports beautifully carved Calacatta Sponda marble and an expansive vanity desk.
The guest quarters are designed with practicality in mind, drawing on the clients' extensive experience and deep understanding of life on board. They feature light, elegant aesthetics with breezy pops of colour, curated artwork, and contemporary photography, creating a serene yet playful atmosphere.

Performance

Santosha is not just a work of art but also a high-performance vessel that delivers. The Heesen 57-metre features a full aluminium hull, an iteration of the ultra-efficient FDHD devised by Dutch hydrodynamicists van Oossanen Naval architects.

The hull has been perfectly engineered by Heesen's in-house team and crafted by the shipyard's highly skilled welders. Two MTU 16V 4000 M65L (IMO Tier III) engines propel the yacht up to 22 knots and deliver a transatlantic range of 3,900NM at 13 knots. A draft of just 2.3 metres makes her an ideal platform from which to explore the turquoise shallows of the Bahamas.

Heesen's CCO Mark Cavendish comments: "Santosha is a yacht designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life, combining elegance with practicality and meticulous attention to detail with a relaxed ambience. It stands as a true testament to Heesen Yachts' commitment to excellence and innovation in yacht building."