An Invisible Superyacht Could Soon Exist—Here's How

Superyachts, long considered flashy toys of the uberwealthy, are meant to be seen. But that’s not the case for a new concept vessel by Jozeph Forakis. The invisible superyacht, named Pegasus, is crafted with a silver-metallic finish and glass wings, which camouflage within the water and reflect the surrounding sky and clouds. After spending time on Koufonissi in Greece, “I was inspired to create a yacht as close to the sea and nature as possible, made of clouds floating above the waterline,” Forakis said in a statement. “I wanted to honor nature by blending into it, becoming virtually invisible.” 

For the Italian designer, it wasn’t enough for the yacht to be just visually imperceptible, he also strived to ensure that its impact on the earth was inconspicuous. “[She’s] invisible both in design and in her environmental impact,” he said. With a goal to construct the yacht by 2030, the integrated hull and superstructure of the 288-foot vessel would be 3D printed—which can minimize construction waste—and would be powered by a collection of green energy sources. According to the press release, on-board solar panels would harness solar energy to convert seawater into hydrogen, which would be stored in high-pressure tanks before being converted into electricity by fuel cells. With this mechanism, the designers claim the boat would have an infinite range and produce zero emissions. “Now is the time for courageous leaps toward our collective sustainable future,” Forakis added. 

Inside, the invisible superyacht centers on a multilevel Tree of Life, which the designers describe as a “living, breathing monument to mother nature.” Starting at the base, the “tree” begins on a reflecting pool on the lower deck and extends vertically through the ship’s other four levels. A sculptural spiral staircase accompanies the monument. In addition to the centerpiece, the ship also houses spacious lounges, an owners suite encompassing the entire top level, an aquarium-style lap pool, port and starboard balconies, and a beach club with an oversized Jacuzzi. The interiors are outfitted with minimalist furniture and decor, further emphasizing the designers’ vision to honor nature. 

Though Forakis and his firm, Jozeph Forakis Design, started as product designers (perhaps best know for the Havana floor lamp, which is in the MoMA’s permanent collection), the team has been stepping into the transportation industry in recent years. Pegasus is the firm’s third superyacht design, and it has also created a vertical take-off plane. According to the firm, it’s this breadth of experience that makes Pegasus’ creation possible. “At Jozeph Forakis Design, our experience designing across many industries gives us unique exposure and perspective to various new technology and innovation verticals,” Forakis said. “Pegasus is a bold but achievable vision for the near future of the superyacht industry, where man and machine live in harmony with nature rather than competing or compromising it.”