Italian shipyard Wider Yachts and Dutch designer Phathom Studio have unveiled a new, 72-metre superyacht concept named Aetherius. The design is tailored for a new generation of owners, featuring multi-functional, informal spaces that cater to a "tech-savvy, sustainability-conscious" clientele.
Inspired by architecture and the automotive industry, the concept boasts a masculine silhouette with extensive glazing from bow to stern. The "Club Beach" redefines the traditional beach club, aiming to enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. It includes a fold-out beach platform with simulated sand and openable cabana balconies with pergolas on both sides. Additional amenities such as a gym, Hammam, sauna, and an indoor-outdoor pool are also featured, with lighting panels mimicking the sky to blur the lines between inside and out.
Sean Bekeschus, yacht designer and managing partner at Phathom Studio, emphasized the concept's focus on open-air spaces designed for multi-functional use, inspired by adventure and connection with the environment. "We aim to fulfill the desires of a new generation of yacht owners who, in a concept like Aetherius, can experience sensations that transcend mere ownership," he said.
Raquel H. Grijota, another managing partner at Phathom Studio, highlighted the seamless flow between levels, with no sensory, spatial, or visual boundaries. "Connection is the key; people and nature can touch and experience one another without limits, both outside and inside the vessel, thanks to the use of completely natural materials," she explained.
Inside, the yacht offers numerous social areas for lounging and relaxing, with outward-facing seating and large windows providing natural light and panoramic views. Sustainability was a key consideration, with eco-friendly materials used throughout, including leather made from leaves and recycled natural fibers.
The upper deck features additional entertainment spaces, including a cinema room with an immersive screen extending to the ceiling, and a versatile upper deck bar that transforms into a disco area. The owner's suite offers extra exclusivity with its private foredeck, featuring a drop-down bulwark revealing an infinity pool. The yacht can accommodate a total of 14 guests in six guest staterooms, with further quarters for a crew of 21.
Built on the same technical platform as other Wider models, Aetherius features hybrid propulsion with two variable-speed generators and a battery bank. Marcello Maggi, president of W-Fin Sarl, the holding company of Wider, described Aetherius as a "true technological masterpiece on the sea" thanks to its cutting-edge hybrid propulsion system. "We are confident that this yacht will mark a new era in the design and construction of superyachts, further raising the standards of the industry," he said.
Jacob Van de Haar, commercial director at Phathom Studio, added: "In collaboration with Wider, we brought to life a vision that merges technical innovation with a design that celebrates both beauty and functionality. We are thrilled with how every detail, from sustainable materials to multifunctional spaces, contributes to offering a unique and unparalleled experience for anyone who steps aboard."
According to BOATPro, Wider currently has three yachts under construction, all belonging to the WiderCat92 series. The first unit in the series, Acali, made its global debut at this year's Cannes Yachting Festival.
