SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

Meticulously devised for different occasions and scenarios, the many exterior decks vary greatly in length allowing for a fluid and open-plan layout. The covered area on the vast main deck alone is a staggering 140sqm, conceived with large parties and entertaining in mind, while the more intimate owner’s deck is dedicated to just the owners and a few of their close friends and family. For Lobanov, creating areas of ambience on a yacht of Jubilee’s magnitude was not an issue, but the sheer scope of the project required some considerable upscaling compared to his previous projects. “We spent a lot of hours on 3d modelling, and oceanco spent a lot of hours on engineering,” says Lobanov. “Just the number of surfaces alone was 15 times bigger than our previous yacht, simply due to the layers and details, but we really enjoyed how complex this project was. i still think it’s the most complex superstructure ever done in the world. And, of course, now that we’ve done it once, we can do it again.” The success of Jubilee has furthered Lobanov’s career longevity among the high-profile yachting fraternity since he first burst on to the scene as owner’s rep on the revolutionary motor yacht A. Most importantly for Lobanov, the celebrated exposure (heightened again in november 2018 when Jubilee was sold to her new owner for a whopping 275million Euro) has enabled him to continue his passion for boundary-pushing design, and in doing so has earned Lobanov design a name for being a studio for the future. “i think the most beautiful part of yachting is diversity. That way you don’t get bored repeating the same design, at least, that’s why i like it,” he says. Currently collaborating with Crn shipyard on a new 75m project, Lobanov is keen to avoid being typecast in any way. “Engineering has already started, and it doesn’t look like anything we’ve done before,” he says. “it’s very different styling, and that was really important to us to demonstrate that we’re not limited to only one or two types. our goal is to work professionally in multiple styles with varying design languages. We’re also working with other shipyards on smaller boats, and a couple of private clients on medium-sized yachts.” When allowed to sketch freely, Lobanov produces visionary concepts like Star and Tuhura. both are perhaps a little far-fetched for owners of today, but Lobanov firmly believes that at some point soon, they will come into their own. “i designed Tuhura in 2012, but i’m sure that in a couple of years’ time people will look at it as something that is realistic, something that can be built. There will be more diversity in the coming years.” Having himself dabbled in both aviation and automotive design (with a short internship early on at Volkswagen), the pool of designers at Lobanov design are trained in a wealth of disciplines, from architecture to transport. This melting pot of style, aesthetic and inspiration is what gives Lobanov and his team the edge. Even the sight profile of Jubilee is based on a car design, although the decks are purely inspired by modern architecture. “A lot of my influence comes from the likes of Zaha Hadid and other architects,” says Lobanov. “you can’t avoid the world around you when designing, you just see it and try to implement it.” Post-Jubilee, Lobanov’s dream is simple, that is, to design different yachts of really varying lengths, and to see more of his designs in the water. “My aim is to bring more of my vision to life,” he says. “There are so many different clients and yachts out there, but not all of them are nice looking boats; there is still so much opportunity for us to make our mark. in terms of an end goal, the number of awards that we have achieved is enough, i don’t dream about awards anymore. i don’t think we need to prove anything. now it’s about enjoying building yachts for lots of different clients from a vast range of cultures. i would like to see as much diversity as possible, and to continue to enjoy designing every day.” igor and yulia Lobanov