Heesen Yachts sets a new benchmark in yacht design with the launch of Santosha, the first in their new 57-metre series. Formerly known as Project Akira, Santosha embodies luxury, innovation, and personalized design, crafted to reflect the lifestyle and preferences of her experienced owners. This highly anticipated superyacht prepares for delivery this fall and promises to be a unique standout among modern vessels.
Santosha’s Transformation: From Project Akira to a Custom Masterpiece
Originally built on speculation, Project Akira quickly evolved into something more personalized when the owners came on board. Renamed Santosha, meaning contentment in Sanskrit, the yacht’s design took a new direction to reflect the owners’ taste and philosophy.
The name Santosha wasn’t chosen at random—it carries deep meaning. In Sanskrit, it refers to a state of contentment and balance, embodying the owner’s approach to life. This concept aligns with the yacht’s ethos, balancing external luxury with internal serenity.
The owners worked closely with Harrison Eidsgaard, a renowned interior designer, and Heesen’s interior engineering team to create a space both elegant and functional. This level of customization is a key highlight of Santosha, setting her apart from other yachts in her class.
Collaboration Between Heesen and Omega Architects
The sleek and innovative exterior of Santosha is the brainchild of Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Known for their visionary designs, Omega Architects crafted a yacht both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. The 57-metre series, to which Santosha belongs, is characterized by its elongated profile, sleek lines, and scooped-shaped stern. These features give the yacht a striking silhouette making her stand out in any marina.
The elongated profile and scooped stern enhance the yacht’s hydrodynamic efficiency, contributing to her ability to reach top speeds of 22 knots. The shallow draft of just 2.3 metres makes her ideal for cruising in places like the Bahamas, where navigating through shallow waters is essential.
Technical Excellence: Speed and Range
While Santosha’s aesthetic appeal is undeniable, her technical specifications are equally impressive. Powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines comply with IMO Tier III standards, the yacht can reach a top speed of 22 knots. This performance is thanks to the advanced engineering behind the FDHD (Fast Displacement Hull Form), designed by van Oossanen Naval Architects and refined by Heesen’s in-house team.
At a cruising speed of 13 knots, Santosha boasts a transatlantic range of 3,900 nautical miles. This makes her ideal for long-range cruising, allowing her owners to explore various global destinations without the need for frequent refueling stops.
Contstruction started in 2022
Hydrodynamic Efficiency and Performance
The FDHD used in Santosha is a marvel of modern yacht design, offering fuel efficiency and high-speed performance. Developed by van Oossanen, this hull form was tested and optimized for minimal resistance in the water, making it one of the most efficient displacement hulls in the market. The FDHD allows the yacht to glide smoothly across the water, reducing fuel consumption while maximizing speed and range.
This combination of power and efficiency makes Santosha one of the most versatile yachts in her class. Whether cruising the Mediterranean or exploring the shallow waters of the Caribbean, this yacht performs at the highest level, offering a smooth and comfortable ride for guests.
Luxurious Interiors: A Blend of Elegance and Functionality
When it comes to interior design, Santosha excels in creating a space both luxurious and practical. The owners’ desire for a relaxed yet elegant ambiance is reflected in every aspect of the yacht’s interior. Harrison Eidsgaard, a highly respected name in yacht design, worked closely with the owners to achieve a fluid, open layout combining modern aesthetics with personalized touches.
Sustainable Material Choices
One of the most notable aspects of Santosha’s interior design is the use of sustainable materials. The owners, conscious of their environmental impact, selected recycled wood, performance leather, and art silk carpets for the yacht’s interior spaces. These materials add to the yacht’s luxurious feel and reflect the owners’ commitment to sustainability.
The art silk carpets give the interior a soft, luxurious feel, while the recycled wood used in the furniture and wall paneling adds warmth and character to the space. The use of performance leather ensures durability without compromising style, making Santosha’s interior both beautiful and long-lasting.
Open and Airy Layout
The layout of Santosha’s interior is designed for easy movement and relaxation. The free-flowing spaces create a sense of openness, while the neutral color palette adds to the feeling of calm and serenity. The designers focused on creating a seamless transition between the yacht’s different areas, allowing guests to move effortlessly from one space to another.
In addition to the communal areas, the yacht offers six staterooms, accommodating up to 12 guests. Each stateroom is designed with comfort and privacy in mind, featuring bespoke furnishings, luxurious materials, and curated artwork adding a personal touch to the space.
The Owners’ Apartment: A Personal Retreat
The owners’ apartment aboard Santosha is a masterpiece of design, offering nearly 70 square meters of private space. This apartment includes a full-beam stateroom, a study, and an expansive bathroom, all designed to the owners’ exact specifications. The master bathroom is a particular highlight, with design elements inspired by the Garden of Eden.
Working with DKT studio, a London-based design firm, the owners created a bathroom both elegant and symbolic. The centerpiece of the bathroom is a stunning piece of art featuring a snake, a totem animal for the owners. The snake symbolizes rebirth and transformation, aligning with the owners’ philosophy of viewing endings as new beginnings.
Luxurious Materials and Finishes
The Calacatta Sponda marble used throughout the bathroom adds a sense of luxury, while the expansive vanity desk offers a practical space for daily routines. The design of the master bathroom blends form and function, with every detail meticulously crafted to reflect the owners’ vision.
The owners’ stateroom itself is a sanctuary, offering a serene retreat from the outside world. The light, airy design is complemented by bespoke artwork and elegant light fixtures, making this space a true reflection of the owners’ personal style.
Guest Quarters: Comfort Meets Practicality
The guest quarters aboard Santosha were designed with both luxury and practicality in mind. Drawing on their extensive experience, the owners ensured the guest areas were as comfortable and functional as the owners’ apartment. Each of the five guest staterooms features a light and elegant design, with breezy pops of color and carefully curated artwork adding personality to the space.
The designers paid close attention to the functionality of the guest spaces, ensuring they are both beautiful and practical for extended stays on board. The result is a series of staterooms offering the perfect balance of comfort and style.
The Beach Club: A 35-Square-Metre Haven
One of the standout features of Santosha is the beach club, a 35-square-metre space designed for relaxation and enjoyment. Located at the yacht’s stern, the beach club offers direct access to the water, making it the perfect place for guests to unwind after a day of exploration.
The beach club is equipped with everything needed for a luxurious day by the water, including comfortable seating, a bar, and ample space for storing water toys and equipment. This space epitomizes the blend of luxury and functionality defining Santosha.
Conclusion: A Superyacht Like No Other
Santosha is a reflection of the owners’ lifestyle and values. From her sleek exterior to her meticulously crafted interior, every aspect of this yacht was designed with luxury, performance, and sustainability in mind.
Heesen Yachts, along with Omega Architects and Harrison Eidsgaard, created a vessel standing apart from her peers, offering a unique combination of elegance and functionality.
As Santosha prepares for her maiden voyage, it is clear she will exceed the expectations of her owners. With a top speed of 22 knots, a transatlantic range of 3,900 nautical miles, and an interior blending luxury with sustainability, Santosha is set to become one of the most iconic yachts of her generation.
