Vripack’s 101-metre ‘Lily’ superyacht concept reimagines luxury at sea with asymmetrical design and innovative spaces for a new generation of wealthy changemakers.
Revealed at the Dubai International Boat Show in February 2025, the 101-metre ‘Lily’ represents a paradigm shift in marine architecture that challenges conventional design principles while anticipating the evolving preferences of future owners.
The aptly named vessel draws inspiration from nature’s own water lily, featuring a distinctive asymmetrical, split-level design that represents not just aesthetic innovation but also functional brilliance. Created in collaboration with renowned Dutch superyacht builder Oceanco, Lily is positioned as a forward-thinking solution for what Vripack calls “the change makers” – a new generation of wealthy individuals seeking experiences that transcend conventional luxury.
Breaking the Traditional Mould
“The key requirement from Oceanco was to conceive a yacht for the change makers who want to leave a mark,” explains Vripack’s co-creative director, Marnix Hoekstra. “Just as this demographic demands innovation for land-based projects, the same mindset applies to superyachts. Understanding that this new generation is quite experiential and appreciates multi-directional design resulted in a radical and fresh layout within a unique outer shape. Lily neatly straddles the line between blue-sky thinking and buildability.”
Perhaps most striking about Lily’s design is its departure from traditional motor yacht 1. The steel hull and aluminium superstructures eschew conventional side walkways and terraces in favour of uninterrupted lines reminiscent of sailing vessels. Instead, one-way glass windows create seamless panoramic views without compromising the yacht’s flowing aesthetic.
Shading the Experience
Astute observation of changing owner preferences has clearly influenced Lily’s design ethos. “Being protected from the sun and keeping cool in the shade sits high up on the wish list for a lot of younger owners, so we’ve ensured Lily’s design allows for more sun shelter than is typically found aboard a yacht,” notes Hoekstra.
This emphasis on climate comfort and protection represents an evolution in luxury seafaring, where exposure to elements was once considered part of the maritime experience. Now, controlled environments that blend indoor-outdoor living take precedence – a reflection of changing attitudes toward wellness and environmental consciousness.
An Interior Inspired by Nature
The yacht’s interior configuration demonstrates Vripack’s biophilic approach, with overlapping decks that emulate a lily closing its petals. This organic inspiration creates a sense of sanctuary and protection while maintaining a connection to the surrounding seascape.
Boarding via the main deck – dubbed the “leisure deck” – guests are greeted by a four-metre-high ceiling and expansive wellness area featuring an integrated waterside swimming pool, gymnasium, and water sports gallery. This central social hub is overlooked by the aft deck lounge and balcony on the upper level, with generous bar and dining spaces positioned forward.
Multigenerational Living at Sea
As guests venture deeper into Lily’s interior, a thoughtful arrangement of half-decks converges through a glass mezzanine and sculptural stairway. This transitional space leads to nine generous 50-square-metre double guest cabins, complemented by an open-plan cinema and an innovative children’s play nest accessible via a suspension bridge – a thrilling design feature that transforms functional movement into a memorable experience.
This area has been specifically designed with multigenerational travel in mind, balancing communal living spaces with entertainment options suitable for various age groups. It’s a forward-thinking approach that acknowledges the changing dynamics of wealth and family structures, where extended family travel has become increasingly significant.
Reimagining the Owner’s Domain
Perhaps Lily’s most revolutionary feature is the allocation of the yacht’s most valuable real estate – the top deck – exclusively to a 450-square-metre owner’s split-level apartment. This expansive private domain includes a vast 315-square-metre sundeck terrace and a serene interior lily pond open to the elements, creating a seamless connection between the vessel’s nature-inspired concept and the actual natural world.
This spatial luxury has been made possible through innovative repositioning of the yacht’s bridge, which is raditionally located on the upper levels. By implementing a virtual bridge amidships with unobstructed lateral views and a forward projector screen, Vripack has liberated prime space for owner accommodation while maintaining navigational functionality.
Service Design Excellence
While guest and owner spaces embrace organic, flowing designs, crew areas demonstrate a contrasting geometric approach optimized for functional efficiency. Forward amidships, these purpose-designed zones support seamless service delivery, while dedicated crew access pathways running below the main deck ensure staff can move discreetly throughout the vessel without disrupting guest experiences.
This thoughtful separation of service and leisure spaces represents the highest expression of luxury hospitality design principles, where exceptional service becomes invisible yet omnipresent.
Sustainable Innovation
Lily represents the latest evolution in Oceanco’s Beyond Custom design philosophy, which anticipates future owner requirements and presents innovative solutions. Like all Beyond Custom projects, Lily incorporates cutting-edge sustainable technologies, including Lateral Naval Architects’ Energy Transition Platform (ETP), hybrid Dynafin propulsion, and fuel cell technology.
“For Oceanco, Beyond Custom is about conceiving the type of project that doesn’t come out of any other shipyard, and Lily is a concept that steps beyond our industry standards,” adds Hoekstra. “It’s a boundaryless onboard experience, like the ocean itself, providing pure freedom within the whole concept. It reflects our belief that it’s in the uniqueness of an idea where the true value for the future owner lies.”
A Legacy of Innovation
Vripack’s ability to conceptualize such boundary-pushing designs stems from six decades of nautical expertise. Founded by Dick Boon in 1961, the Holland-based design studio has amassed an impressive portfolio exceeding 8,000 designs. Now led by co-creative directors Bart M. Bouwhuis and Marnix J. Hoekstra, the studio combines creativity with technical prowess to transform ambitious visions into seaworthy realities.
The 40-person team draws on diverse disciplines spanning creative design, naval architecture, and engineering. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled the studio to tackle increasingly ambitious projects, including Project Zero – the world’s first zero-emission sailing yacht scheduled for launch in 2025 – and the 52-metre Special One, currently the world’s largest sportfish yacht.
Beyond Convention, Into the Future
While Lily remains a concept, its unveiling signals an important shift in superyacht design philosophy. By reimagining spatial hierarchies, embracing asymmetrical forms, and prioritizing experiential qualities over traditional yacht layouts, Vripack has created a vessel that feels more like an organic sanctuary than a mechanical conveyance.
For the next generation of superyacht owners – individuals who have already transformed industries from technology to finance – Lily represents a vessel worthy of their innovative spirit. It challenges maritime conventions while remaining grounded in technical feasibility, offering a glimpse into how luxury seafaring might evolve for those who see themselves not just as owners but as change makers.
As waterborne architecture continues to evolve, concepts like Lily demonstrate how the boundaries between natural and built environments can blur, creating experiences that feel simultaneously protected yet connected to the elemental power of the sea. For those with the means to commission such vessels, the message is clear: the future of luxury lies not in ostentation but in innovation, experience, and harmony with nature.
This alignment with changing values among the ultra-wealthy – who increasingly seek meaningful experiences over mere displays of affluence – positions Lily as more than just a yacht concept but as a floating manifesto for a new era of maritime luxury. Whether this particular design makes it from concept to construction remains to be seen, but its influence on future superyacht design seems assured.
