Beyond 'super': unique yacht design with Burgess

Published 04 December 2025

Redefining what ‘super’ means in yachting

For decades, the term ‘superyacht’ was synonymous with scale – the bigger the yacht, the greater the prestige. But as ownership values evolve and technology accelerates, the industry is leaving this one-dimensional definition behind. Today, ‘super’ has very little to do with size and everything to do with purpose.

A new generation of yacht owners – younger, values-led – is driving this shift. They’re looking for vessels that work as an extension of their lives: platforms for exploration, wellbeing, and connection.

This is redefining the very foundations of yacht design. Modern yachts are no longer feats of size, but feats of intelligent engineering, sustainability, lifestyle-driven architecture, and master craftsmanship. From advanced hybrid propulsion to extraordinary outdoor living environments, the future belongs to yachts that deliver meaning – not just magnitude.

A new era of yachting design

The evolution of yacht design has always been defined by pushing boundaries – whether in terms of luxury, technology, or the ways in which yachts can transform the experience of life on the water. Gone are the days of excess where bigger was always seen as better. Today, it’s more about refinement.

From pioneering new propulsion systems to imagining entirely new types of social spaces, yacht builders and designers are rethinking the purpose and potential of life at sea. With decades of experience at the forefront of groundbreaking new builds, Burgess Technical Services (BTS) has witnessed – and driven – this shift first-hand.

We take a look at the three defining trends shaping this new design era.

1. The rise of experiential, lifestyle-driven yachts

Over the past few decades, there has been a shift toward purpose over tradition, with yachts moving away from being designed simply to impress but being designed to enable. Today, owners want yachts built around how they intend to experience the world, not simply what they want to show the world.

Yachts are no longer designed simply to impress; they are designed to enable. Owners want vessels that support deeper experiences – whether that’s explorer yachts designed for off-the-beaten-path adventures, private sanctuaries with entire decks dedicated to wellness, or a home at sea suitable for multi-generational living.

2. Design that blends architecture, artistry, and engineering

Luxury yacht design has transformed dramatically, with yachts evolving into sleek, architectural marvels blending artistry, architecture, advanced engineering and sustainable technology. Modern luxury yachts are more than vessels; they’re floating architectural statements.

From innovative materials used in design (think panoramic glass and sustainable wood) to sculptural silhouettes and fluid forms, shipyards are pushing the boundaries of what a superyacht can be.

3. The importance of seamless indoor-outdoor living

Nothing defines modern yacht design more than the pursuit of true indoor–outdoor harmony. Yacht owners and charter guests are prioritising a connection to the water, and shipyards are reimagining layouts to deliver this.

Benetti’s Oasis Deck – an open-on-three-sides beach club concept – has become one of the industry’s most influential innovations. Lürssen, Turquoise and other leading luxury yacht manufacturers have similarly invested in expansive beach terraces, glass bulwarks, fold-out platforms, and cascading exterior lounge spaces.

Inside, structural advances allow for larger windows, higher ceilings, and uninterrupted sightlines, ensuring the ocean remains the star of the show. The boundary between yacht and nature is dissolving, and the on board experience has become more fluid, free-flowing, and immersive than ever before.

Collaborations that push boundaries

Burgess Technical Services has played a guiding role in some of the most celebrated new builds in modern history. Working alongside the world’s foremost custom yacht builders – from prestigious German shipyards to leading Dutch and Italian yards – BTS provides strategic oversight, technical expertise, and project management that ensure every vision is realised to its fullest potential.

Below are three landmark yachts that demonstrate how Burgess has driven design innovation on a global scale.

Case study 1: BRAVO EUGENIA

109m (358ft) | Oceanco (2018)

BRAVO EUGENIA redefined what an environmentally conscious superyacht could be. Built at Oceanco, she debuted the groundbreaking LIFE (Lengthened, Innovative, Fuel-Efficient, Eco-friendly) design – an engineering philosophy that maximises efficiency without compromising comfort or performance.

Her hybrid propulsion system incorporates PTO/PTI technology, enabling engines to generate electricity or provide additional thrust depending on operational needs. This dramatically improves fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and enhances overall performance. A sophisticated battery bank enables peak-shaving, lowering noise and vibration while enabling periods of silent cruising, and waste-heat recovery further reduces her environmental footprint.

BRAVO EUGENIA’s innovations earned her the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Belle Classe Explorer Award for Technology & Innovation. Burgess’ technical leadership helped ensure the project’s pioneering systems were seamlessly integrated, marking her as a milestone in sustainable superyacht design.

Case study 2: AZZAM

180m (590ft) | Lürssen (2013)

The world's longest yacht at 180m, AZZAM remains one of the most extraordinary feats of marine engineering ever achieved. While size was never the ultimate objective (she was originally envisaged as ‘just’ 110m), the brief was to deliver a sleek yacht with an innovative yet timeless design that would be able to travel at high speed in warm and shallow waters, and she absolutely delivers.

As well as being the largest yacht built by Lürssen, she’s also the fastest. Her top speed of 34 knots comes courtesy of two gas turbines and two diesel engines that deliver an astonishing 94,000 horsepower. Add to this the world’s largest water jet – 2.3m in diameter – which assists her propulsion system instead of traditional propellors – and she more than earns her place as an engineering marvel.

With an unusually shallow draught of just 4.3m (14.1ft), she can navigate diverse cruising grounds typically inaccessible to yachts of her size. BTS’ specialist oversight contributed to the delivery of a yacht that remains unparalleled – a benchmark of innovation, complexity, and precision.

Case study 3: JUBILEE

110.1m (361.2ft) | Oceanco (2017/2020)

The largest superyacht built in The Netherlands at the time of her delivery, JUBILEE (now KAOS) boasts cleverly positioned false decks in her superstructure as a visual trick. This flowing trompe l’oeil exterior, sculpted by Igor Lobanov, was acclaimed by Oceanco as a ‘visual and technological tour de force’ at the time of her launch, and had the purpose of masking her unusually high deck heights and to further improve her elegant proportions.

Wrapped inside JUBILEE’s intriguing curves are interiors by Sam Sorgiovanni, with structural engineering and systems design by Azure Naval Architects of The Netherlands. Unique features include a glass-sided fish tank between the swimming pool and the beach club, but perhaps the most unusual element is that she was built fully turnkey – everything from tenders to crockery and crew – outfitted for the owner’s immediate use. BTS were brought in to manage the project, which would go on to be one of the largest turnkey yachts ever delivered.

Responsible innovation: The future of sustainable yacht design

Sustainability is no longer a niche request but a central pillar of modern yacht ownership. In a response both by shipyards to address the environmental concerns of the industry, but also by this new generation of yacht owners that expect environmentally responsible solutions that align with their wider values, it’s becoming almost expected that yachts will have sustainability as a core feature.

New builds are integrating hybrid propulsion engines which reduce fuel consumption while providing quieter, more efficient cruising, as well as solar panels and hydrogen fuel cells to lower their carbon footprint and promote a greener approach to yachting.

Leading the way in sustainable cruising, LAMMOUCHE stands out as the most progressive yacht in the Burgess charter fleet. She runs on second-generation biofuel, a major step forward in reducing environmental impact. This advanced fuel can cut CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent and particulate matter by up to 80 percent, without producing black smoke. It’s also non-toxic, biodegradable and odourless – making it better for the planet, her guests and the pristine waters she explores.

For owners embarking on a new build, Burgess ensures sustainability is not an afterthought but a guiding principle – from early feasibility studies to technical specifications and long-term operational planning. The future of yachting will be defined by responsible innovation, and Burgess is actively helping owners lead the way.

What’s next? The designs shaping the next decade of yachting

Looking ahead, Burgess’ new build experts anticipate a wave of innovations that will transform how yachts are built, operated, and enjoyed.

When it comes to decks, they predict a shift in materials away from traditional teak to limestone like that on board KOGO or polymerised woods. And glass will continue to dominate future exterior design, enabling sweeping vistas and architectural transparency, alongside other daring material choices that push the boundaries of traditional design.

And when it comes to size? We’ve seen that it’s no longer about building the biggest boat – it’s about having the right boats catered precisely to each yacht owner, offering a more versatile and personal yachting experience. The future of yachting is sleek, innovative and adaptable, reflecting the changing needs of owners who want luxury without compromise.

Discover how Burgess can bring your vision to life

Building a yacht is one of the most ambitious and rewarding creative projects you can undertake. With unparalleled technical expertise, strong relationships with the world’s leading shipyards, and decades of experience delivering landmark new builds, Burgess is the partner who ensures your vision becomes a masterpiece.

If you’re considering building your own yacht, speak to the experts who do it better than anyone else.

Get in touch today