half-yacht, half-submarine 'nautilus' by u-boat worx exudes lush living above & under the sea

U-boat worx designs diesel-electric superyacht ‘nautilus’

There’s a new opulent water vehicle in town and it goes by the name ‘Nautilus’. Maker U-Boat Worx takes a step toward luxury above and underwater with the design of its diesel-electric superyacht. Half-steeped in the sea, the upper deck remains open and roomy for sightseeing far from land.

Heading down, the submerged body of the vessel enjoys large round windows that afford the view of the marine species and oceanic life. Amidst these wonders gracing the design, Nautilus seems to hone in on exquisite affluence, drawn from the interior of the superyacht that revels in a five-star-hotel atmosphere.

images courtesy of U-Boat Worx and Officina Armare

Exploring Nautilus with Officina Armare

Working with design studio Officina Armare for visualization and interior design, U-Boat Worx canopies its passengers in a cavernous part-residential, part-watercraft expedition. Two-level decks separate the sunken vessel with the main deck taking its influence from the chalets found in the Alps.

The area is designed to offer cozy spaces regardless of the time of the year with comfortable low-profile seating that provides a good view for observation and lounging also with groups of people. The seating itself may already be turned into bed spaces with its influx of curved and bent shapes that allow for quick naps.

The second level, named Maindeck Sunken Lounge, is designed 25 centimeters lower than the main deck level. Lounge mattresses are placed in front of the round window structures to instill a sense of natural entertainment right before the passengers’ very own eyes (although a pop-up TV screen is present in this space, nestled between the windows). In the observation mode, the TV is hidden and courtesy lights are synchronized with life underwater.

U-Boat Worx takes a step toward luxury with the design of its diesel-electric superyacht.

Nautilus carves its own observatory under the sea. Inside the Mezzanine Observation Lounge, U-Boat Worx and Officina Armare hammer out a circular, flowy glass above and in front of the passengers’ heads that peer through the scenic seascape outside. A C-shaped sofa brushing against a couple of leather armchairs gathers people together to bear witness to the marine life unfolding outside and the lap of luxury being served inside.

The sleeping areas are holed up on the lower foredeck and accessed from the grand staircase. Here, rich colors converge with the refined, glossy visuals of the surroundings, starting with the golden light that the rods by the headboard emit. The floor is only half-covered in a silky white carpet to make way for the glass areas. The Master cabin has an en suite bathroom with a bathtub and walk-in wardrobe directly accessed from inside the cabin.

the submerged body of the vessel enjoys large round windows that afford the view of the marine species and oceanic life

Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel

As U-Boat Worx states, Nautilus is rooted in Jules Verne’s classic novel, ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ where Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, embark on a journey beneath the seas. While its conception is still yet to unravel, the submersible superyacht is foreseen to have a depth rating of 200 meters, with a surface cruise speed of 9 knots and an underwater speed of 4 knots.

When functioning as a yacht, the part that is not steeped in the sea, the Nautilus offers a massive sundeck equipped with a freshwater pool, a bar, and a luxurious dining table. The privately-operated submarine hopes to carry up to 10 passengers, excluding crew, in a fully conditioned environment to a depth of 150 meters, and thanks to the abundant power supply, the Nautilus can stay submerged for up to 18 hours with 10 guests.

Nautilus seems to hone in on exquisite affluence, drawn from the interior of the superyacht