On Board the 47m Hot Lab–Designed Acqua Chiara

Acqua Chiara

The 47-metre Acqua Chiara is the third yacht in the Atlantique line developed by Columbus Yachts in collaboration with Milan-based design studio Hot Lab, part of the Viken Group. Delivered in 2025 to an Italian entrepreneur, the yacht was conceived from the outset for charter and is managed by Fraser Yachts. Her successful first Mediterranean season has already confirmed the strength of this vision.

Originally designed on a 43-metre platform, Acqua Chiara was lengthened at the owner’s request to enhance her proportions and overall balance. Despite the additional four metres, the yacht comfortably remains within a 499 GT envelope, while preserving the distinctive Atlantique design identity.

With exterior lines by Hot Lab and naval architecture by Columbus Yachts, Acqua Chiara stands out for her sculpted stern, a defining feature inspired by sailing yacht principles. The aft area unfolds across three cascading levels, carefully designed to maximise onboard liveability while maintaining a strong and continuous relationship with the sea.

From bow to stern, the layout flows naturally through an elegant covered dining area, a central lounge with a pool and fold-down balconies, and a versatile sea-level platform equipped with a transformer, positioned just 50 centimetres above the waterline. This configuration allows guests to enjoy the yacht intuitively and effortlessly from the moment they step on board.

Designed for Immediate Liveability

According to Enrico Lumini, co-founder and design director at Hot Lab, the charter-oriented nature of Acqua Chiara was central to the design process.

“When a yacht is conceived with charter in mind, the priority becomes immediate liveability. Guests should feel confident from minute one, even if it’s their first time on board. We focused on clear zoning between social and private areas, intuitive circulation and multiple parallel experiences, allowing different groups to enjoy the yacht at the same time.”

Social spaces throughout the yacht are highly adaptable. The upper deck, for example, can seamlessly transition from a lounge to a cinema-style setting, while the main social areas are equally suited to relaxed daytime use or more formal evening gatherings, without compromising the yacht’s overall identity.

The Atlantique platform plays a key role in this flexibility. As Lumini explains, the three-tier stern naturally separates dining, lounge and sea access areas, while keeping guests visually and physically connected to the water, a defining requirement for today’s charter market.

Modern Detail, Timeless Warmth

Inside, Acqua Chiara offers a bright and universally welcoming atmosphere. A timeless architectural base is enriched with carefully controlled accents, textures and crafted surfaces, creating a refined yet warm interior environment.

Contemporary details such as dark metal-effect finishes, Sicis mosaics and Vetrite panels add depth and character. The main saloon is a standout space, featuring custom-made white sponge sofas with blue detailing, Fendi Totu armchairs and a teak coffee table. White parquet floors and natural oak ceilings, partially finished in matt white lacquer, enhance the sense of light and openness, while floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides flood the space with natural light.

Private Spaces with a Strong Identity

Acqua Chiara accommodates up to ten guests in five generously proportioned staterooms, served by a professional crew of nine. The owner’s suite, located on the main deck, is conceived as a private apartment, defined by dark leather framing, burnished metal accents and Galaxy blue glass surfaces.

The suite is complemented by a spa-like bathroom, complete with a marble bathtub and separate shower, fully clad in striking glass mosaic.

On the lower deck, the guest cabins follow the same design DNA in a softer, more serene interpretation. White marble, tactile contrasts and Sicis mosaic accents create calm, elegant spaces designed for comfort and relaxation.

An Evolving Design Language

As the third yacht in the Atlantique series, Acqua Chiara represents a significant step forward in Hot Lab’s design evolution. According to Antonio Romano, commercial and marketing director of the Viken Group and co-founder of Hot Lab, the yacht embodies the studio’s philosophy of incremental innovation.

“Over the years, we have quietly refined small elements of each project to improve both construction quality and life on board. Acqua Chiara is the result of this ongoing process.”

These refinements include the seamless integration of technology into the architecture, such as screens embedded into surfaces, the pairing of timeless materials with contemporary finishes for durability and depth, and social spaces that transition from day to night through lighting and spatial logic rather than physical reconfiguration.

With her elegant proportions, intuitive layout and refined interiors, Acqua Chiara is a clear expression of modern charter-focused yacht design, balancing sophistication, comfort and a deep connection to the sea.