Komorebi is a Japanese word which describes how sunlight filters through the leaves of a tree. It has given rise to the architectural concept of incorporating natural light into design. VPLP has taken this idea as the basis for an ambitious project to develop a huge yet graceful trimaran which does indeed give priority to natural light. Patios and open deck spaces encourage natural airflow through the vessel’s three levels, each space having been designed for a particular moment of the day so that passengers can live in harmony with the natural world.
Komorebi’s hybrid propulsion (engines and two-panel hard wingsails) takes direct inspiration from the work VPLP accomplished during the BMW Oracle challenge on the trimaran USA 17. After USA 17’s win in the 2010 America’s Cup, Marc Van Peteghem had the idea of adapting hard wingsails to large cruising boats, by making them stowable, and hopes that similar technology will one day be scaled up to power cargo vessels. The goal was to develop greater power and reduce fuel consumption (by 30% in hybrid mode). Neither completely a sailing boat nor a pure motor boat, this “concept boat” is available in three sizes (up to 264’) and three versions: luxury cruising, exploration and deep-sea works.
