Dutch Shipyard Presents Radically Different Approach to Superyacht Living
Dutch shipyard Feadship has unveiled its largest concept to date at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026: the 115-metre Hive, a superyacht designed around a fundamentally different philosophy of life on board. Studio De Voogt, led by senior designer Jan Schaffers, collaborated with Feadship’s naval architects and engineering specialists to create what the yard describes as a radically different approach to space. The concept emerged from extensive research into how a fictional family of four would spend their time aboard, what they desired, and how they would move through the vessel. This human-centered methodology proved transformative. Discussions repeatedly circled back to the yacht’s convivial gathering space, where guests congregate before dispersing to private pursuits. From this insight, the principle of “hive” crystallized: many different activities coexisting around a shared centre.
The design draws inspiration from the grand salons of 1930s Paris, spaces dedicated to conversation, culture, entertainment, and exchange. At the heart of Hive sits a vast open space extending over four decks. On the main deck, this multipurpose area transforms into a large saloon, stage, or auditorium, with terraces opening to port and starboard. Curved staircases connect balconies and intimate spaces above, while service pantries, furniture storage, and a green room enable the central space to accommodate everything from family life to performances, lectures, and large gatherings. Young designers contributed fresh perspectives through Feadship’s Young Designer of the Year competition, held in partnership with BOAT International. Finalists worked alongside Studio de Voogt, bringing their own ideas about life on board to the concept’s development.
Beyond the central atrium, Hive offers an array of specialized spaces. A two-storey beach lounge positioned close to the water accommodates water-level dining for up to 24 guests. Forward, a circular, glass-enclosed foredeck library opens onto a secluded garden area. An underwater lounge provides views below the surface, while an observation lounge features a retractable glass roof for uninterrupted night-sky vistas. The owner’s deck hosts a 20-metre pool equipped with Feadship’s patented ContraWave™ technology, which extends indoors as a suspended, glass-bottomed infinity pool.
Feadship’s exterior design language represents a new direction for Studio De Voogt, building on concepts Pure and C with an elongated, low profile. The most significant innovation lies in the bridge arrangement. Rather than a conventional forward command centre, Hive features a virtual command centre, freeing the forward superstructure for owner accommodation and the observation lounge. Cameras and sensors provide navigation information, while retractable glass wing stations offer direct views during close manoeuvring. Propulsion and power systems reflect cutting-edge sustainability thinking. A DC electrical architecture combines three 900 kW variable-speed permanent-magnet generators running on HVO with fuel cells and a 5MWh battery bank. For zero-emission operation, power can be supplied by seven 75kW solid oxide fuel cells or nine 250kW fuel cells combined with a methanol reformer. The battery capacity is approximately five times that of the 1MWh installation aboard Savannah, achieved within a comparable battery-room footprint.
Key specifications include a 115-metre length, 17.5-metre beam, and 4.1-metre draught. The concept accommodates a substantial guest complement and crew across multiple decks, each thoughtfully zoned for different activities and privacy levels.
Jan Schaffers reflected on the concept’s philosophy: “Hive is designed around the idea that experiences can change people. We wanted to explore what becomes possible when you start not with what a yacht has always been, but with how people might want to live on board in the near future.” This approach signals a broader shift in superyacht design, where owner lifestyle and social dynamics take precedence over inherited conventions. Feadship’s willingness to reimagine the bridge, reimagine central gathering spaces, and prioritize flexibility suggests that future superyachts may look and function quite differently from their predecessors.
The Hive concept represents more than a single design proposal; it embodies a methodology that other yards may adopt as owners increasingly demand vessels tailored to their actual living patterns rather than traditional maritime hierarchies. With advanced propulsion systems, innovative spatial planning, and a focus on human experience, Feadship has positioned itself at the forefront of next-generation superyacht thinking.
This article has been sourced from press releases and cross-referenced with multiple websites. Facts originally seen at Source.
