The 45-metre explorer Kumu has her origins in long discussions with clients and deep reflection on what people are looking to experience today when they spend their precious time on the water. A strong connection to nature is blended with meticulous attention to detail and intelligent design to create a superyacht that is as kind to the environment as it is to those who spend time onboard.  

With close to 25 years of experience in real estate onshore and off, we are renowned for our ability to use design to create pockets of time that translate into valuable experiences. Our track record in the superyacht sector spans some 600-metres of new builds and refits, but it was a post-pandemic sailing holiday in Greece that led to the exceptional design of the 45-metre Kumu.

Living with purpose

“We were discussing recent conversations with clients on how the days of Covid had altered their perceptions of what truly matters in life,” says Dimitris. “Like many of us, they had a renewed focus spending time with purpose and enjoy the best things in life. Relaxing on a small boat off the Greek coast, with clear skies allowing the light to dance on the waves, Kate and I decided to design a yacht that would truly distil the essence of time spent on the water.”  

“It was a perfect moment of maritime harmony that we wanted to capture for our superyacht clients,” adds Kate. “To offer them an environment in which they would feel entirely at home with nature, enjoying good company and exploring the sea. We have always taken a full life-cycle approach to yacht design and Kumu synthesises our dedication to designs that stand the test of time, providing their owners with the best use and optimum value both literally and figuratively.”

Intuitive design

This philosophy, which has also successfully been applied to around 87,000 square feet of high-end residences on land, can perhaps best be summed up as intuitive design. Kumu translates sailing’s connection to the elements to the speed and amenities of a motoryacht platform in an exceptional way. All visual and physical barriers to the surroundings are removed thanks to long unobstructed on-deck sightlines. A liberal use of skylights brings the outside environment in, flooding the master suite and main deck guest cabins with natural light. The sun deck spans 225 square metres while two fold-down balconies extend an impressive beach club to 65 square metres.  

Meaningful moments

All the spaces onboard have been created with making meaningful memories in mind. An internal and external bar flows uninterrupted from the main deck saloon to the aft deck, encouraging togetherness whether guests are in the water or on deck. The sweeping main deck interior is designed for further gathering, with dining for up to 12 and clever use of lighting defining spaces for intimacy without blocking the overall flow of the space.  

The overarching design ethos in terms of size strikes the perfect balance of flexibility and freedom of choice. Kumu has the volume to offer sufficient storage and space to explore the world’s cruising grounds, while remaining compact enough to fit into any anchorage or atoll of the owner’s choosing. In line with the yacht’s adventurous appeal, there is capacity for two tenders – a 7.5 metre on the aft deck and a 5.5 metre in the toy garage, where there is also ample room for diving equipment, sailing dinghies, jet skies and bikes.

The two-and-a-half deck layout allows options for a number of arrangements according to the owner’s preference. The yacht can be configured with five guest cabins, three crew and a permanent spa treatment room, or there’s plenty of scope to create further guest areas, crew cabins, a gym or a family room. A generous stew pantry is designed for ease of service while providing the possibility for a family-style galley if required.

Sustainable thinking

A yacht designed to emphasise our connection to the natural world obviously has to have the least possible impact on the environment. Examples include using sustainable alternatives to teak for the decks and having furniture onboard crafted in natural materials. The engine space has been designed with the capacity to easily install more sustainable propulsion technologies as they develop in the future. As we are constantly exploring the potential of new eco-friendly materials and products, there will be further features available for a build.

With her clean lines and muscular appearance, Kumu combines the ability and equipment of an explorer with a sleek, go-anywhere style that will see her equally at home in the upper latitudes as on the rivieras.