fran silvestre arquitectos redesigns turkish schooner to create all-white sailing vessel

fran silvestre arquitectos has completely redesigned a 20-meter-long (66ft) turkish schooner to reflect the firm’s signature monochromatic style. the vessel was previously used for fishing and as a cargo ship before being used in regattas. the sailboat, named the ‘topaz of braye’, has now been reconfigured to include three cabins with built-in bathrooms and a fourth cabin for two crew members — also with its own bathroom. meanwhile, a new ventilation system improves circulation and frees up space on the central deck for other activities.

all images and video © jesús orrico

fran silvestre arquitectos says that it took the same approach to the project as it would with any architectural brief. ‘the attitude with which we approach the project does not differ from that used when operating inside a historic building, we respect the existing elements that confer added and proven value to the ship,’ explains the design team. ‘in short, we have applied the values ​​that have fascinated us in the world of design for years to this floating architecture that today sails the mediterranean.’

the architects also integrated the kitchen with the boat’s main living space, while a rear platform makes the boat more versatile. ‘the exercise of working in a discipline very close to architecture, but with many peculiarities, is an extremely stimulating task,’ continues fran silvestre arquitectos. ‘together with a team of naval engineers, we explored the limits of a design in which small-scale ergonomics was of the utmost importance. the great advantage of this multidisciplinary team consists of a prejudice-free view of the naval world that allows us to ask questions in most of the occasions obvious, reaching solutions that have quickly become part of our architectural practice.’

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project info:

name: topaz of braye
location: marina de valencia, spain
built area: 131.39 sqm
architecture: fran silvestre arquitectos
project team: fran silvestre, ricardo candela (principals in charge)
interior design: alfaro hofmann
collaborating architects: maría masià, pablo camarasa, sandra insa, sevak asatrián, estefanía soriano, vicente picó, rubén march, jose manuel arnao, rosa juanes, gemma aparicio, paz garcia-españa, ángel pérez, juan fernandez, javi hinojosa, pau ricós, andrea baldo, blanca larraz, juan sanchis, carlos lucas, miguel massa, paloma feng, bruno mespulet, javi herrero, pablo larroulet, gino brollo, angelo brollo
financial manager: ana de pablo
marketing and communication: sara atienza
collaborating engineer: jorge puig
collaborating industrial designer: alicia simón
carpentry: carpintería náutica terraso
photography and video: jesús orrico