- Outdoor & travel
Imagicasa has seen a lot of yachts pass by over the years, but none of them knocked us off our socks as hard as the Acionna. This realisation by top designer Andy Waugh is really the epitome of what a super yacht should be. With a length of 175 metres, unrivalled spaciousness and the elegance and technical innovations of an almost unimaginable level, this is no ordinary vessel.
Andy Waugh describes his design philosophy as 'sophisticated simplicity'. He is inspired by the idea of what a 'classic design' should be. Elegant, to start with, but it is often a matter of looking for a sophisticated way to deal with the numerous conflicting technical and ergonomic factors. This is something Andy keeps in mind at all times in order to be able to make the right choices at every step of the design process and thus produce a unique result that clearly bears the stamp of 'Andy Waugh Yacht Design'. 
His latest design also challenges the preconceptions about large ships. The Acionna is no less than 175 meters in length but can by no means be called homogeneous and conventional. The sheer scale of the whole emphasizes the pure elegance and avant-garde styling. Andy therefore has a very specific type of owner in mind: someone who sees himself as a trendsetter and game changer, who only goes for the absolute zenith of luxury and also attaches importance to innovation.

Since the Acionna is only a concept, the interior is completely open to be completed according to the wishes of the future owner. How would you feel about owning a high-end vessel including a squash court, helicopter hangar or an indoor swimming pool of up to twenty meters long? This super yacht should also be the first with an after deck that is almost completely enclosed by water. In Andy’s designs we see the water flow down along the decks like a waterfall. The terraces and lounge areas at the back of the yacht become a central ‘island’ and will only be accessible via a bridge and via tunnels that lead directly to the innermost rooms of the ship. On a technical level, this design is also extremely innovative. The Acionna will be powered with hydrogen using a system that is similar to the one currently being tested in cruise ships and ferries. If renewable energy is used to create this hydrogen, we will be able to also speak of a 'zero impact' yacht. Compared to conventional designs, this system takes up a little more space because it only becomes interesting to use it for vessels that need to cover longer distances. However, the interior of the Acionna will still have the ultimate feeling of spaciousness. For example, the main deck is designed to have a double-height ceiling and the panoramic curved glass offers a phenomenal view of the main deck pool and the ocean. 
The ultimate mega yacht
As extraordinary as this concept is, Andy Waugh is still a long way from reaching his professional climax. “I'm really only just starting out," he tells us. “In the future I hope to be involved with an interesting range of yacht projects, I plan to keep the business small and specialised to insure I am focused on the pure quality of what I do." So, we can undoubtedly expect a lot more unique and luxurious designs from Andy. And one thing is for sure: you won't be able to keep your eyes off them!
This article was originally published in Imagicasa Magazine Summer 2019. If you want to read our full interview with Andy Waugh, then you can still order this issue via our webshop. 
All Images Courtesy of Andy Waugh.