The Star-Shaped Superyacht Named Star Is Unlike Any Other You’ve Seen

Much like in the automotive industry, concepts are made and released to the public for a variety of reasons: they could serve to showcase the use of existing or developing tech, to indicate a desired direction for a maker, to draw attention to certain issues and open discussions, or – as is the case with Star – to show off. Simple as that.

Back in 2014, Igor Lobanov of Lobanov Design and Alex Malybaev of the FIRMA branding agency were sitting down for what we assume was a friendly chat. Malybaev drew a strange shape on a napkin, while making a commentary about how superyachts all looked the same to outsiders to the industry. Lobanov decided right then and there to turn that napkin sketch into an actual design, just to prove to the world that, number one, he could, and number two, that it didn’t necessarily have to be like this.

The result is stunning, even though it never left the paper it was drawn on – or the computer on which the renders were created. Star is unlike any other superyacht the world has ever seen, and it stands out for more than just its unexpected form. It’s also revolutionary for its propulsion system and for the incredible volumes of space it disposes of thanks to, you guessed it, the star-shaped form factor.

Lobanov designed it with assistance from Britain-based BMT Nigel Gee, which handled the naval architecture. When it was unveiled, it was described along the lines of world’s most exclusive private hotel. To this day, it’s also one of the aesthetically impressive and norm-defying.

Lobanov imagined Star as a 133-meter (436-foot) long vessel that would tower above the waterline by almost 60 meters (197 feet), with a symmetric fore & aft double ended hull. Inside, this superyacht would dispose of 3,500 square meters (11,482 square feet) of space and a total volume of 9,000 gross tons. It would have eight massive decks, connected by no less than four elevators – one of which would go to the top and then underwater, where a submarine viewing deck would be.

The shape is the thing that surprises the most with this superyacht concept: shaped like half of a star, it rises from the water like a white pyramid. It has little glazing and the latticework windows add an extra celestial element to the celestial theme.

However, at the time it was unveiled, it was also revolutionary for the proposed propulsion system. Lobanov imagined Star would be powered by no less than eight MTU 16V 4000 m33f generators and two azimuth thrusters. A dynamic positioning system would rotate Star within her own length throughout the day, meaning guests would compensate for the lack of massive exposed sundecks by getting direct sunlight whenever they wanted.

Accommodation on board would be possible for 36 guests and staff, or for gatherings of over 200 people. Range was rated at 5,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots, while top speed would be of 18 knots.

And, while it looks like Star is almost barren in terms of amenities, as compared to other superyachts, it’s not so: it would come with its own helipad, and a unique viewing platform at the top of the tip. This, in addition to the submarine viewing deck. No mention if it would also have a pool or two, but with views like this, who needs swimming.

“Historically, yacht design has been described as both an art and a science. Star is a tangible view of a 21st century interpretation of art and science,” James Roy, yacht design director of BMT Nigel Gee, said at the time. “We are fortunate to live in an era where technology makes the delivery of bolder designs more possible – for clients who are adventurous innovators anything is truly possible.”

Sadly, after six years, Star is still a concept. But it doesn’t hurt to dream, does it?