EMOTIONALLY AWARE
DESIGN

From its offices in the UK and Greece, AB Yacht Design creates forward-thinking and emotionally aware concepts for superyachts. The studio seamlessly combines creative design with engineering and physics. The result is customized yachts that feel completely natural to everyone on board.

AB DESIGN

Turning dialogues Into Visions

THE ART OF LISTENING

The studio is built around a very personal and highly attentive approach. By taking on only a limited number of projects at a time, AB Yacht Design ensures that every client and every vessel receives exactly the care and attention they require. We don’t just design; we listen, study, and strive to understand what each project must achieve. For the team, every yacht is a unique experience for the owner and the first step toward bringing a dream to life.

The charming pro!

„He came to meet me and won me over right away with his personality. Creativity and professionalism, combined with tremendous technical expertise—that’s what Aristotelis is known for.

That’s exactly what the industry needs!"

BJÖRN BENECKE | SALES MANAGER YACHT DEPARTMENT

More than a yacht, an experience

ARK 101 METRE EXPLORER

A PLATFORM FOR EXPLORERS

A prime example of the studio’s innovative spirit is the 101-meter-long Explorer concept known as ARK. Designed as a global adventure park, this project is fully equipped to deliver incredible experiences from every corner of the globe. It combines a bold and elegant silhouette with exceptional space for tender boats, vehicles, and even research areas. The design perfectly underscores Aristotelis Betsis’ focus on emotionally conscious design, where natural light and skillful proportions shape the space and prioritize efficiency.

Design for the life on board

INTERVIEW

IN DIALOGUE WITH
ARISTOTELIS BETSIS

Can you still remember your first attempt at a yacht design?
Does it still exist?

A&R 01

For an unexplained reason, I had this issue of sketching yachts nonstop since childhood. Since then I have sketched a few. Most of them still preserved in sketchbooks, school books and textbooks. I do have a look back to these memories as it is even fascinating to me today seeing what I had in mind many years ago, some still don’t make sense.

Aristotelis Betsis

Was this career always your dream, or did an unusual opportunity lead you in this direction?

A&R 02

I would say it was my childhood dream and the only thing I could do every single day. I was a huge yacht enthusiast as a child and always attracted to design, architecture, engineering and the sea, so yacht design became the natural meeting point of all these interests. What makes yacht design fascinating is that it is not only about beauty. It is about lifestyle, taste, naval architecture, ergonomics, movement, craftsmanship, technology and many more.

A yacht is a very complex object, but at the same time it must feel simple and natural to the people who use it and those who enjoy watching them. At some point, I understood that this complexity was exactly what I enjoyed. It is a field where creativity has to work together with engineering and physics, and that challenge attracted me even more.

Aristotelis Betsis

What is the most important advice you would give to new yacht designers?

A&R 03

Only get into this industry if you truly love yachts – not the lifestyle – and have the skillset. You try hard and then – no matter what – it will reward you.

Aristotelis Betsis

If you had the chance to design a yacht for a film, which film would it be, and what would the yacht look like?

A&R 04

It would have to be something for the Pirates of the Caribbean. Maybe gentlemen’s classic steam powered wooden yacht, with a low volume superstructure, exceptional silhouettes and a vertical bow with classic flair.

Aristotelis Betsis

What future trends in yacht design excite you the most and why?

A&R 05

I am very excited to see the market going towards more elegant, silhouette focused exteriors, which embrace proportions, enabling the sunlight to highlight different surfaces and design elements, consequently unlocking a plethora of emotions. I like to call that a switch towards emotionally aware design. That also leads to more slender yachts being now born, compared to 10 years ago, meaning that although length gets increased, volume doesn’t. This also improves performance characteristics and consequently reduces the required power, as volume gets reduced, proportions change too and more efficient hull forms are being utilized. But energy efficiency is not a trend. It is a necessity. Evolvements are already happening and new technologies are not only tested but already applied, also in the yachting world.

Regarding specific amenities and characteristics of the yachts, we have seen in recent years designs that interconnect the indoors with outdoors, have multipurpose areas or activities focused areas etc. All these came from the Owners’ requests and preferences. Yachts shall always be the best platform for guests to enjoy life, whether this is quality family time, parties, business trips or adventure-focused experiences. I believe that in the next 20 years, as a new generation of Owners enters the industry, we will see a lot more focus on practical solutions and lifestyle amenities that match their routines.

Aristotelis Betsis