Gold Yacht and Marine Vessels Design · 2026
Aqualis Hybrid Motor Yacht
by Albanautica Yacht Design Studio
- A' Design Award 2026 Gold Winner in Yacht and Marine Vessels Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Albanautica Yacht Design Studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 36,365
- Verification code 3849C8CFE5 · Verify this award
About Aqualis Hybrid Motor Yacht
The Aqualis is a 50 meter hybrid motor yacht that redefines efficiency and spatial experience through an integrated design approach. Its hull form and propulsion system reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact while maintaining high performance. A balanced exterior with fluid lines enhances both aesthetics and hydrodynamics, while interiors are organized for seamless circulation, comfort and functionality. The design merges advanced engineering with a refined architectural language for sustainable yachting.
Abdullah Fırat's Aqualis Hybrid Motor Yacht emerges as a distinguished exemplar of contemporary maritime design philosophy, representing the convergence of advanced propulsion technology with refined aesthetic sensibility that has come to define the most progressive expressions of seafaring luxury in the current era, the vessel's formal language demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the horizontal emphasis characteristic of modern superyacht design while introducing distinctive volumetric articulations through its terraced superstructure arrangement that recalls the stepped profiles of cliffside architecture adapted to the particular constraints and opportunities of naval form, the technical achievement evident in the design extends beyond mere stylistic consideration to encompass the integration of hybrid propulsion systems suggested by the designation that positions this work within growing discourse surrounding sustainable approaches to recreational maritime activity, compositionally the yacht presents a masterful balance between enclosed and open volumes with extensive glazing dissolving boundaries between interior salons and surrounding seascape while generous outdoor deck areas furnished as proper living environments demonstrate commitment to the experiential dimension of yacht ownership where connection to marine environment takes precedence over hermetic separation, the chromatic restraint exercised throughout contributes to an atmosphere of sophisticated calm appropriate to contemplative voyaging with warm wood tones providing necessary visual warmth against cool gray structural surfaces, the stern beach club configuration opening directly to water level represents contemporary programmatic innovation responding to evolved patterns of use emphasizing water sports accessibility and intimate engagement with the sea, careful attention to proportional relationships maintains visual coherence across the vessel's considerable length preventing the segmented appearance that can compromise lesser designs while the integration of living vegetation introduces biophilic elements that soften the technological precision with organic vitality, viewers are invited to consider how this design negotiates the fundamental maritime tension between shelter and exposure, permanence and passage, creating a mobile environment for dwelling upon the waters
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Aqualis stands out with its elegant lines and contemporary presence, achieving seamless harmony with the sea. Its fluid form and expansive glass surfaces create perfect integration with the surroundings. Featuring a 4-person jacuzzi on the flybridge, a pool integrated into the aft deck, a spacious and modern lower deck lounge with 4.30 m ceiling height and an elegant piano, and a tender garage at the bow, this yacht combines comfort and luxury.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Loa: 49.00 m Bmax: 9.00 m T: 2.60 m Gross Tonnage: 490 Class: Rina or TL, Unrestricted Navigation
Number of Passenger: 10/12 Number of Crew: 9 Hull: Steel Superstructre: Aluminium Fuel Tanks: 40.000 litres
Water Tanks: 10.000 litres
Propulsion System:( E.Mode Hybrid) Auxiliary propulsion system with electric engines working in parallel with main diesel engines.
Range: 4.500 nm @ 10 knots
Zero Emission Speed: 6 knots
Cruise Speed: 19 knots - Tags
- superyacht, motoryacht, aqualis, alba yacht design, albanautica, eco friendly, zero emission, yacht design, naval architecture
- Production Technology
- This yacht offers safe and comfortable access to the water thanks to its custom-designed aft boarding platform. The hybrid propulsion system prioritizes environmental sustainability while providing a quiet and efficient cruising experience. With a fully automated yacht management system, navigation, energy management, and all operations can be easily controlled through a user-friendly interface, maximizing both safety and comfort.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge was integrating the hybrid propulsion system without compromising spatial openness and comfort. This was resolved through iterative layout optimization and careful coordination between engineering and design.
- Project Duration
- The project began in December 2024 in Izmir, Turkey, with the aim of competing for design awards, and was further developed in Bodrum and Izmir, Turkey.
- Operation Flow
- Enhanced Comfort Mode: Ideal for low-speed coastal or night cruising, this mode’s main benefit is the exceptional comfort it offers. The diesel engines are switched off, but the gensets continue to supply energy to the electric motors.
Extended Range Mode: Designed for long transfer journeys and coastal cruising, this mode delivers reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. The gensets are switched off and the yacht can go at full speed, with the electric motors powered by the main engine and working as shaft generators.
Eco Transfer Mode: Both diesel generators are switched off while only one propulsion engine runs, enabling the yacht to halve the running hours of the main engines and gensets. As a result, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 16% and NOx emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional propulsion systems.
Eco Cruise Mode: This zero-emission mode is most suited to short trips along the coast. It allows entry to protected marine areas or zones usually designated as off-limits to motor yachts, with the range depending on the capacity of the battery pack. - Research
- Type: Applied design research. Objectives: Optimize hybrid yacht efficiency, spatial layout, and sustainability. Methodology: Comparative analysis of hull forms and propulsion systems. Data collection/tools: CFD simulations, energy modeling, material studies. Results: Reduced fuel use, improved flow. Insights: Integration of engineering and design enhances usability and eco-performance. Impact: Guides sustainable yacht design, influencing industry practices and user experience.
- Inspiration
- This yacht is designed with inspiration from the beach club concept, focusing on spacious and social areas. Its expansive deck areas provide guests with comfortable movement and entertainment opportunities, while the open and fluid lines create an aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the sea. The choice of materials and details combine sophisticated comfort and elegance, making the design both functional and visually distinctive.
- Image Credits
- AlbaNautica Yacht Design Engineering, 2025