Back to previous page    Language

Wanderlust95, a yacht that builds space across different levels

Wanderlust95 is Franco Gnessi’s 32.49-metre concept combining open-air living, a transformable stern and a continuous connection with the sea

A two-level stern, a flybridge conceived as a rooftop and flexible outdoor areas define the new Wanderlust95 yacht concept

The Wanderlust95 begins with a precise figure, 32.49 metres, yet Franco Gnessi’s design immediately shifts the focus away from length and towards the way that space can be experienced.

Developed by DYDXL Design Forge, the concept explores layered outdoor architecture, a transformable stern and visual continuity between different levels of the yacht.

The intention is not simply to compress the functions of a larger yacht into a smaller platform. Instead, Wanderlust95 uses each deck to create a different experience while keeping the sea constantly present in everyday life on board.

A stern that changes throughout the day

The defining area of the project is the stern, arranged across multiple levels and designed to alternate between an operational platform and a generous guest environment.

At water level, a full-beam beach club features teak decking, movable furniture, chaise longues and ottomans. Storage for sports and diving equipment is integrated into the same area, allowing activities connected with the sea to become part of the design rather than being confined to a purely technical space.

Folding side terraces further increase the usable surface and reinforce the sense of openness that runs throughout Wanderlust95.

When required, the same part of the yacht can become an operational area for tenders and water toys. Flexibility therefore goes beyond simply rearranging furniture; the entire space is able to assume a different role depending on how the yacht is being used.

Two levels without losing contact with the sea

Above the beach club is another protected outdoor lounge, reached by symmetrical staircases on either side.

This is where the concept of layered architecture becomes particularly clear. Different functions are physically separated without breaking their visual relationship. Guests in the upper lounge remain connected with the sea and with what is happening on the lower level.

Modular sofas, large cushions and loose furniture allow the area to move easily between quiet relaxation and informal social gatherings.

Rather than creating a sequence of independent decks, Gnessi has designed a series of spaces intended to communicate with one another.

The flybridge becomes a rooftop above the sea

The flybridge follows the same unconventional approach. It is conceived as a genuine nautical rooftop, drawing on some of the ideas associated with contemporary high-end hospitality.

A small integrated pool occupies the forward section alongside sunpads and glass bulwarks, which minimise visual barriers towards the horizon.

Further aft, a large dining table and fully equipped bar turn the deck into an open-air setting for lunches, aperitifs and social occasions.

It is one of the areas that best expresses the concept’s interpretation of luxury. The focus is not simply on the number of amenities available, but on the ability to use the same environment in several different ways throughout the day.

Natural light continues the connection indoors

The relationship with the surroundings does not end once guests move inside. Large windows are intended to increase natural light while preserving views of the sea and landscape.

Wanderlust95 is designed to accommodate up to 10 guests, supported by a crew of four.

Here too, the emphasis is placed on the perception of space rather than simply increasing the number of enclosed rooms. The glazed surfaces become part of the interior architecture and help reduce the visual separation between saloon, decks and sea.

An explorer that does not want to feel like a ship

Wanderlust95 has the underlying character of an explorer yacht, but deliberately avoids some of the more severe qualities traditionally associated with the category.

Its lines remain purposeful, while a substantial proportion of the yacht is dedicated to outdoor living and social spaces. This makes it possible to imagine very different types of use, from longer passages to relaxed weeks cruising between Mediterranean bays and marinas.

That dual personality is one of the concept’s most interesting aspects: a platform capable of cruising and carrying equipment, yet designed around the idea of spending much of the day outside.

Three propulsion possibilities

In the configuration presented, Wanderlust95 is designed with twin MAN V12-1900 engines and conventional shaft-line propulsion.

The concept is not restricted to this solution. It is also intended to be available with Volvo Penta IPS propulsion or a diesel-electric hybrid arrangement.

Offering different propulsion systems allows the project to address varying operational requirements and reflects a yachting industry that is gradually broadening its alternatives to traditional powertrain configurations.

As Wanderlust95 remains a concept, these alternatives should be regarded as design possibilities rather than specifications of an existing yacht.

Luxury measured by the quality of time on board

Wanderlust95 offers an interesting perspective on a sector in which size has traditionally been one of the main measures of comparison.

Here, the 32.49-metre length becomes a framework within which volumes, functions and circulation are carefully organised. The beach club transforms, the stern unfolds over two levels, the flybridge becomes a place to spend much of the day, and the interiors continuously seek light and views.

It is a way of understanding luxury that depends less on the yacht’s overall scale and more on the freedom to decide how its spaces are used.

That philosophy feels particularly appropriate for Mediterranean cruising, where navigation is often only one part of the experience and much of the pleasure of being on board comes from time at anchor, swimming, outdoor lunches and long evenings beside the sea.

__
www.dydxl.com

20 August 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
Wanderlust95, a yacht that builds space across different levels
__
The information in this article has been sourced from and adapted from official sources and/or press releases, in accordance with our editorial code of ethics.