YachtTalk Special 1: Design special with Bannenberg & Rowell

The first episode of Heesen’s YachtTalk Specials kicked off in June 2021 by going behind the scenes at renowned London-based superyacht design studio Bannenberg & Rowell. As long-time Heesen collaborators, the studio has designed over 12 Heesen boats, including Lady Petra, Galactica Star, and most recently, Moskito. Host Charlotte Kan caught up with Dickie Bannenberg, designer and son of the legendary Jon Bannenberg, and Heesen’s Executive Commercial Officer, Mark Cavendish, to learn more about the complex design process.

Building on spec Heesen’s partnership with Bannenberg & Rowell has spanned the past 14 years and their latest collaboration – 55-metre Moskito (formerly Project Pollux) – successfully launched in 2021. True to form, Heesen began building Moskito on spec in parallel with her sistership Project Castor, now named Solemates. Both form part of Heesen’s 55-metre FDHF Steel Class and both feature interiors by Bannenberg & Rowell.

“Castor and Pollux were hulls number four and five in the series, but the first to feature a much bigger upper saloon,” explains Cavendish. “We also moved the fifth guest cabin from the lower deck to the upper deck and made it a large VIP cabin. Then we handed them over to Bannenberg & Rowell with a relatively free rein to produce evolutionary interiors. I think we hit it perfectly with Castor and Pollux, as there have been no improvements needed since.”

This Superyacht Guide item is an original editorial summary based on the official Heesen Yachts news release.

Image source: Heesen Yachts official news release.