– Tillberg Design of Sweden, part of the Viken Group, is a world-renowned cruise ship and yacht design studio with 60 years of history

– The TDoS team works across five key disciplines covering everything from ship layout design to branding and signage

– From iconic cruise liners to innovative superyachts, the TDoS studio draws on an extraordinary depth of experience to exceed owner demands

– As part of the Viken Group, TDoS can lever the expertise of sister companies develop a complete design and engineering solution for any marine project

Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS), part of the Viken Group, is no stranger to creating extraordinary projects that give owners and guests – from the cruise ship industry right down to private yachts – an exceptional experience both during the design phase and on board.

It all started nearly 60 years ago when, in 1964, founder Robert Tillberg developed the design for the ocean cruise liner Kungsholm and made it a showcase of bespoke Scandinavian style. Today the company’s extensive team works across cruise ship design, superyacht design, branding and signage, drawing on a prodigious depth of experience, talent and iconic reference projects from throughout its six-decade history.

Indeed, TDoS history is littered with examples of bold designs and technological steps forward drawn from more than 350 reference projects, and borne from long-standing relationships with every major brand in the cruise industry. Robert Tillberg’s and the team’s innovations have included everything from the very first atrium on a cruise ship, aboard Sea Venture (1971), to the awe-inspiring, 2,101-cover, multi-deck restaurant on Freedom of the Seas (2006) and the grandeur of Queen Mary 2 (2003) – at the time of her launch, the longest and largest passenger ship ever built.

The secret is that TDoS enjoys several perfect balances: between cruise ship design and functionality and superyacht style and finishing; between the experience with architects who have been with the company for 30 years and the creative energy of those who are relatively new to the team; and between the exquisite craftsmanship of Scandinavian design and the environmental caretaking that is innate in Scandinavian society.

These are all things that the partners of the company know well. Fredrik Johansson, for example, joined TDoS in the 1990s after working as an architect in Denmark – he soon found himself working on the refit and the design of the iconic liners Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 respectively for Cunard. Helena Sawelin worked in the fashion industry before joining the FF&E division of TDoS to specialise in materials and interior finishes, as well as becoming a sustainability guru within the company. Michal Jackiewicz also came from a land architecture background before landing in TDoS and working on everything from rebranding cruise vessels to project management, business development and team mentoring.

Cruise control

The team is increasingly seeing a blend between traditional cruise ships and private superyachts, with the emergence of the cruise yacht reshaping boutique cruise opportunities. These vessels carry the operational functionality of cruise ships but offer a limited number of guests a superyacht-like experience, with attendant levels of superyacht facilities and finishes. It’s a blend that the multidisciplinary team of designers and architects at TDoS are perfectly placed to create.

“We see a lot of crossovers now between cruise ships and yachts – we call them cruise yachts, which are like commercial passenger vessels but with a yacht feeling,” says Jackiewicz. “There are operational aspects therefore which are morphing and changing and we are leading this process in the industry.”

Selective superyachts

These values and attributes are reflected perfectly in two recent yacht projects undertaken by the TDoS Yacht team – the 60-metre contemporary explorer yacht Mimer, and the 77-metre Lycka for German superyacht builder Nobiskrug.

The 60-metre Mimer displays a perfect harmony between clean, luxurious and functionally refined interior spaces and crew routes, and flexible explorer functionality that allows for three different aft end options for the owner to choose between to cater to differing requirements for an extensive toy chest, heli-cruising or additional guest lounge and large tender garage.

Lycka – the Swedish word for happiness – draws on TDoS’s design flair and passion for environmental considerations, with longevity in everything from sustainable materials to the technical systems front and centre of the concept. Indeed, TDoS has made great strides to be a leader not only in selecting sustainable materials and technologies, but also in looking to develop more circular designs in collaboration with like-minded companies who are not necessarily from the marine sector.

Collective experience

It’s the varied and combined experience of the TDoS team that sets the studio apart from competitors. “Our oldest team member recently retired after 40 years with Tillberg Design of Sweden, and we have a lot of people who have been here for two or three decades,” says Johansson. “Combining their experience with the ideas of some of the younger and newer team members is one of our secrets – we really know what we’re doing, but we can still be creative and innovative because we have that mix. And we have done so many projects in cruise ships and with yachts that clients trust us – we really know how to design a ship, and how to do it on time because with a billion-dollar commercial project there just isn’t room for mistakes or delays.”

In addition, the formation of the Viken Group – a parent company to Tillberg Design of Sweden that now also encompasses superyacht design studio Hot Lab and naval architecture and engineering firm Thalia Marine – means that the team can offer a full-service package, from small bespoke yachts to the largest mega cruise ships.  “We can design not just the interior and exterior but we can also engineer it, and design and service check the complete technical platform,” says Johansson. “We can start with the guest experience or the owner’s vision and then really tailor the total solution in-house, which is unique in this industry.”

“When bringing in new employees, we mentor them,” says Sawelin. “It’s important, because the designers need to understand the differences between marine projects and a land-based hotel. What’s very important for us is that the design is not just a pretty picture, it has to be functional as well.

“We have five divisions,” Sawelin continues. “One takes care of the general arrangement and the exterior and creates the broad strokes, as well as developing the horizontal and vertical flow of the vessel; another focuses on cabins and suites, detailing down to the last millimetre. Then we have a team one public areas, restaurants and outdoor areas; FF&E, which is where I started, which looks after the material finishes and concepts; and a fifth division which focuses on branding and on signage and graphics design.”

It’s worth noting too that Tillberg Design of Sweden is home to the biggest materials library in the business. It can be found at the company’s head office, which is located in the beautiful marina of Höganäs, just a stone’s throw from the village of Viken where it all began for Tillberg.

“For Robert Tillberg, the most important thing was to combine function into the design,” Sawelin says. “He also used to say, never give up until you get it right. That ethos is as strong at Tillberg Design of Sweden today as it was 60 years ago when he founded the company.”

– TDoS Yacht, part of The Viken Group, shows Mimer, a 60-metre expedition yacht that offers family-and-friends exploration to the ends of the earth

– AES Yacht has now prepared a build specification for the project and they are working together with The Viken Group on the realisation of this flexible platform

– The design team has developed three different core designs to cater to travel with a helicopter and a phalanx of tenders and toys

– Mimer can be configured with conventional engines and shafts or with diesel-electric pods, and with a conventional hull or with a Polar Code certified Ice Class hull

– The yacht offers Scandinavian touches throughout, from her sustainability to her stunning interior design

The Viken Group selected Kocaeli-based AES Yacht as the partner in development of a stunning 60-metre, 6,000-mile-range expedition platform called Mimer. The project has been designed and developed by TDoS Yacht, part of The Viken Group, while the AES team prepared technical specifications.

Milan-based studio Hot Lab, another valuable asset of The Viken Group, has long standing relations with the shipyard as they have three superyachts built with AES, ranging from 24m to 68m in length.

“The Viken Group is very happy about this new collaboration with AES Yacht – we have already worked with them on other projects and we are well aware of their capabilities and we know the team,” commented Antonio Romano, Commercial Director at The Viken Group. “We have chosen this shipyard because it has one of the largest facilities in Turkey with very experienced naval architects and engineers. They can provide everything in-house, from steel and metal construction to furniture and interior. Another important factor in our decision is that AES has capacity and a slot available for the Mimer project and they can build it in 36 months when an owner signs a contract.”

“We are delighted to become partners of The Viken Group on the Mimer project,” said Erdem Bicer, Shipyard Manager and Partner at AES Yacht. “Mimer is a unique explorer superyacht that provides owners with unlimited experiences all around the world. As the shipyard, we’ll ensure the superyacht quality and comfort during this adventure with our experienced team.”

Different category

The team’s ‘target client’ when they started the blank sheet design was someone in their 30s or early 40s, and who was looking for a family boat or a platform to share with family and friends.

“We have done a lot of expedition vessels before and they are all very masculine in their design,” begins Daniel Nerhagen, Partner and Yacht Director at Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS). “We say an expedition vessel doesn’t need to look aggressive – we wanted to create a ‘she’. That’s where we started, and then we also wanted to showcase our heritage of Scandinavian design, which is very simplified – luxurious, with the finest materials and craftsmanship, but clean and with the aesthetics of simplicity in the design.”

As they say, 60 metres is the new 50, and Mimer – named for the Norse god who protected the well of knowledge at the base of the mythical tree Yggdrasil – is the perfect size as an introduction to true explorer yachting. Any smaller and you would have to compromise on space for expedition tenders and toys, and any larger and you move into a different (and more expensive) category of yacht.

That said, Mimer’s svelte styling and highly practical features will appeal to any passionate yacht owner, particularly those who like to be able to venture off the beaten track.

Driven by design

To realise that ambition, TDoS has considered every facet of Mimer’s design, from the acres of glazing and bulwark glass that deliver 360-degree views from the guest saloons to the routing and functional crew aspects of the layout to ensure efficient operational capabilities.

It is here that, on top of its extensive catalogue of yacht projects, Tillberg’s experience in the commercial and cruise ship worlds comes to the fore, where the balance between form, function and fluid service is critical for commercial success. And true to Mimer’s namesake, the team has drawn not only on its own wider experience but also the wisdom, knowledge and experience of key experts, including two expedition companies and a yacht management company as well as the naval architecture know-how of Laurent Giles Superyacht Architecture.

The result is a yacht that caters for up to 12 guests – set across five luxurious main deck guest suites, and an exquisite upper deck owner’s suite that includes its own forward terrace with spa pool – while accommodating 17 crew and with space for an additional owner’s staff member. There are also exciting entertaining spaces inside and out, from a huge sundeck atop the superstructure – which makes full use of the yacht’s elevation to provide the ultimate observation deck – and up to three guest saloons, two dining areas, and a gym and beach club in the stern.

Her explorer capabilities have also been carefully considered, and Mimer is offered both with a full high-latitude hull – which is built to Polar Code Category C, Ice 1-C standards – or with a conventional hull which offers a more economical build solution for owners who don’t intend to cruise to the extremes. There are also two propulsion configurations, comprising pod drives with diesel-electric generators, or conventional engines and shaft drives, and studies are currently being undertaken to consider alternative propulsion and power solutions as they evolve.

A la multi-mode

Perhaps the biggest hint at Mimer’s aspirations comes in the extraordinary range of tenders and toys she has been designed to carry, making every cruise a true voyage of discovery. Indeed, she is offered with three variations – World Traveller, Adventure Explorer, and Air Explorer.

The World Traveller offers a helipad aft with an additional guest lounge below at main deck level, and space for an array of tenders and toys including electric luxury tender, landing craft, two expedition RIBS, quad bikes, a submersible, jet skis, and even an amphibious vehicle and a beach buggy. The Air Explorer offers the same as the World Traveller, but with a helicopter hangar in place of the aft guest lounge – perfect for high-latitude or trans-ocean cruising. The Adventure Explorer layout uses the aft lounge/hangar area as an additional tender garage, adding further capability for carrying toys such as a Range Rover, more quad bikes, and a hovercraft.

Scandinavian sensibilities

Mimer takes full advantage not only of exploring hybrid and alternative power and propulsion options, but also of drawing on sustainable principles in all aspects of its design and build. That means everything from using recycled and recyclable materials and sourcing local product, to using eco-friendly antifouling and including measures to protect biodiversity. “Sustainability is something we have been working on with commercial projects for a very long time now, and for us as Scandinavians it’s not a trend, it’s just something you do and it’s very much in our culture,” Nerhagen offers.

As well as a considered approach to impact, the initial concepts also draw on the finest Scandinavian design to suggest a bright, clean and warm interior that doesn’t detract from the world-class views and nature outside. “Scandinavian design is about simplicity, about the quality of the materials and beautiful craftsmanship, but it’s also very practical,” Nerhagen explains. “The way we design is ‘less is more’, and the way we build things is with high quality and attention to detail – it should last a long time and it’s something you should cherish and pass on to the next generation. Sometimes it can be very rustic and sometimes it can be very contemporary but it still has the same principles – it’s in the quality of the details and the materials”

“The feeling we are after is to feel at home – it has to be comfy,” Nerhagen concludes. “There shouldn’t be lots of bells and whistles and bling, because it should be somewhere you feel calm and relaxed. I think with Mimer we have really captured that.”

Thursday 10 Nov at 12:10 – 12:50 Daniel Nerhagen will talk about designing and building Superyachts vs Cruise Ships.

Superyachts are getting larger and the market for small luxury cruise ships is growing. Furthermore, a few cruise ship builders are getting into yacht building and last but not least residential ship projects are on the rise as well. What can we learn from the different markets?

Wednesday 26th of October at 6 PM we are presenting Lycka at FLIBS, Superyacht Village Pier 66, Booth 6. We hope to see you there! Welcome!

TDoS Yacht will attend Cannes Yachting Festival, Monaco Yacht show and Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Do you want to meet us?

TDoS and Nobiskrug unveil 77 m Yacht concept, “Lycka”

Swedish firm Tillberg Design of Sweden and German superyacht builder Nobiskrug have unveiled an innovative yacht design. The 77m (252ft) Yacht Lycka has been thoughtfully designed and engineered to embrace the latest technologies with a customisable, Scandinavian-inspired interior and plentiful deck spaces in a contemporary and sporty package. Lycka is yet another example of Nobiskrug’s long-standing shipbuilding experience regarding oceangoing yachts. Named for the Swedish word for ‘happiness,’ Lycka has been conceived to offer owners and guests the ultimate home away from home in a Scandinavian yet luxurious space designed to evoke a sense of rejuvenation, wellbeing and connection to the sea. Clean, flowing lines lend a contemporary and modern look to the profile, with a Scandinavian lightness inside and out. Conveying a presence of balance and power, Lycka is both well-proportioned and thoughtfully equipped for active owners. At the same time, the superyacht will rely on Nobiskrug’s expertise in noise and vibration reducing technologies.

Functionality and beauty converge within Lycka’s expansive interior, which boasts Scandinavian-inspired simplicity with elements of luxury. An open plan design highlighted by large room high windows and folding balconies allows for interior and exterior to blend seamlessly on the main deck, which comprises a spacious salon and formal dining. Amidships, a grand foyer features a spiral staircase encircling a lift that rises from the lower deck guest staterooms to the bridge deck above. A well-equipped galley and pantry area is positioned to port, while a charming breakfast nook with another fold-down balcony is nestled to starboard just outside of the owner’s suite. The full-beam owner’s suite offers a lounge seating area and spacious ensuite including a dressing room.

Lycka has been designed to accommodate up to 14 guests in the aforementioned owner’s suite plus six additional guest ensuites of equal size on the lower deck. Gracious crew quarters housing ten double cabins are situated forward. The attention to detail is unparalleled through Lycka’s design, and subtle hints of colour combine with luxurious materials to carry out the vibe of relaxed sophistication. On the bridge deck, a combination gym/spa is located aft of the wheelhouse followed by an office, dayhead and skylounge. The captain’s quarters and a pantry with dedicated crew access to the galley below is located on this deck as well.

The exterior spaces are maximised throughout the 77-metre design, with lounging and a bar found on the aft deck, a grand dining and relaxation oasis on the bridge deck aft, and a spacious sun deck equipped with an elongated Jacuzzi tub surrounded by sunpads forward with a bar and additional relaxation and entertainment aft. Intended to incorporate the latest technologies, Lycka is designed to meet Lloyd’s Register certification and can be equipped with either diesel or hybrid propulsion. TDoS’s careful selection of sustainable materials is also factored into the design, which can be customised to suit the owner’s preference. Multiple style and colour options are also offered for the exterior, which can be tailored to a look that is classic, sporty or ultra-modern in profile.

‘Lycka has been purposefully designed for longevity – from the hull shape to the materials selection to the technical systems – to meet future demands as well as environmental regulations,’ says Daniel Nerhagen, TDoS’s Partner & Yacht Director. ‘In partnering with a renowned German shipyard for this design, our goal is to create a yacht that can stand the test of time with the highest build quality available. Adds Nobiskrug’s CEO Philipp Maracke: ‘The yacht market continues to grow, as proven by the past two years. Together with TDoS, we offer owners a vessel that is drawn up sleek, and well-defined. A modern yacht in which they will feel as happy as the name suggests. Lycka is ready to be built immediately at Nobiskrug.

Shadowcat, Tillberg Design of Sweden & Triton Submarines Unveil Shadowlark Pro for Tourism Industry

Following the recent release of Shadowcat and Triton Submarine’s Shadowlark Launch and Recovery Craft (LARC) for personal submersibles, the duo today announced a new commercial LARC concept designed for the luxury tourism industry. Shadowcat, an award-winning developer of support yachts, and Triton Submarines, the foremost designer and manufacturer of civilian submersibles, developed this latest concept, named Shadowlark Pro, alongside Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS), a leading design company for luxury yachts and cruise ships. Australia-based Incat Crowther, the exclusive partner for Shadowcat, has provided Shadowlark Pro’s naval architecture and marine engineering plans.

The 50M Shadowlark Pro builds upon the existing innovative Shadowlark platform, but expands it for commercial operations to accommodate a larger submarine – the Triton DeepView, a modular tourist sub that offers incremental capacities from 12 up to 66 guests – or multiple submersibles. With a 14-metre beam, and a draft of 2 metres, Shadowlark Pro also offers greater capacity for up to 10 crew. Its generous size also offers stowage over three decks for dedicated reception and post-dive lounges, stowage for large transport tenders and dive boat, dive and jet-ski centers, water toy storage and more.

“The expansion of Shadowcat’s Larc offerings to the commercial sector is in response to market demand for a luxurious, yet cost-effective and practical platform, that cruise operators and resorts could source to generate additional revenue and to develop a reputation for exceptional excursions,” said Shadowcat founder Robert Smith. “For commercial operators interested in adding revenue-generating activities for guests – such as sub dives, helicopter tours or boat rides – Shadowcat support vessels are the most practical and efficient and safest way to do so. The addition of a Shadowlark Pro is a smart decision in terms of enhancing seaborne expeditions, revenue and brand value.”

“Working together we realized the opportunity for a fully independent support platform that could dramatically increase guest experiences, throughput, safety and revenues, while significantly reducing the impact, construction and operational challenges of carrying activity-related assets aboard the cruise vessel itself,” said Daniel Nerhagen, partner of TDoS. “Relocating assets, like a helicopters or Zodiak boats, to a Shadowlark Pro, reclaims space and eliminates the need for a certified helipad aboard the mother ship and allows for independent operations. It could dramatically reduce expenditure, on both initial capex and integration, for onboard assets on multiple vessels, salaries and maintenance over the lifespan of the operation. The benefits of this solution are easily apparent.”

“Our initial focus was on aiding cruise operators in increasing guest satisfaction in terms of guest throughput for submersible experiences,” explains Bruce Jones, CEO of Triton Submarines. “Though our eightpassenger Triton 660/9 AVA is causing a sensation in the Expedition Cruise sector, the demand for a higher capacity submersible versus the available space onboard the cruise vessel has been a conflict that can’t be resolved. The natural solution is to take the submersible off the mothership. The Triton DeepView is the ideal solution to improve guest throughput and revenues for the cruise lines. Together with TDoS and Shadowcat, we’ve created a concept that delivers many more additional benefits.”

Triton Submarines are built with the industry’s clearest acrylic pressure hulls; nearly 360-degree views; and ergonomic, beautiful and comfortable interiors. With a Triton DeepView, cruise lines and tourist operators can provide clients with an unforgettable adventure in a cost-efficient and easily maintained package.

Designed to offer the ultimate expedition experience. TDoS’s new explorer yacht Mimer is set up and ready to take owners and guests on new adventures with its warm and cozy interior.

Mimer, a name taken from Norse mythology, represents knowledge and wisdom. Mimer with its distinctive design is sculpted with a Scandinavian approach focusing on function and elegance. The interior is light and airy, featuring a combination of natural materials in subtle hues of colors. All items on board have been carefully chosen to maintain an Earth-friendly and high-end approach with exquisite quality. With sustainability in mind. Simple lines and spacious rooms with large panoramic windows create an outdoor-indoor experience for the guests. Light is key throughout the yacht and generous openings are divided into cozy areas optimized for relaxation. Mimer combines practicality, comfort and guest experience in one. She is the perfect choice for the adventurous and environmentally conscious traveler who wants to sail the globe while enjoying the epitome of luxury. “We challenged ourselves to design an explorer yacht that would meet the most demanding requirements in Antarctica as well as looking beautiful in the port of Miami or Monaco. Function combined with beauty,” says TDoS Partner & Yacht Director Daniel Nerhagen. Large functional storage spaces for all sorts of explorer equipment and tenders are included. To be able to explore the world in the best ways, the 60 m explorer is offered in three variations. The world traveler offers an additional Marina/Beach lounge on the main deck, which provides more guest space. If additional storage space is the requirement, the Adventure explorer set-up is the best option. The Marina/Beach lounge is removed and replaced with a large open, versatile, multipurpose storage area, protected under the helipad deck. The third option is with a fully enclosed helicopter hangar.

With sustainability in mind, a hybrid propulsion system, potentially combining battery fuel cells, will lower the environmental impact throughout the lifetime of the yacht. All onboard support systems, like waste handling, water treatment, etc., are also selected to meet the latest and highest requirements regarding low energy consumption and the best possible sustainability solutions available today.

Sleek minimalism in typical Scandinavian style characterizes the design of the 120 m World Voyager named Scintilla. Modern dynamic lines in contrasting bright blue distinguish her well-balanced proportions from the white hull, expressing speed and elegance. With room for 36 guests 44 crew members, Scintilla is designed to offer the ultimate onboard yacht experience.
”Our aim for the exterior was to create a modern and sporty look, and also incorporate classic lines that will stand the test of time. Scintilla is a world traveler for all locations,” says TDoS partner and Yacht Director Daniel Nerhagen.

The airy lounges, which invite superior relaxation in a cozy calm interior, are characterized by simplicity and generous spaces in bright colors. Five lounges in addition to three dining areas can be found onboard. Wide panoramic windows, one of the main features, capture the outdoor-indoor- experience. The large duplex owner suite faces the aft and is connected with the outdoor deck with a jacuzzi and infinity pool. Scintilla offers the epitome of luxury, always with sustainability and comfort in mind, creating perfection onboard.

Scintilla is cleverly configured and uses locally sourced and Earth-friendly materials. Furthermore, she is equipped with the latest technology that combines battery and alternative-fuel propulsion to lower the yacht’s environmental impact. To ensure an extraordinary and memorable experience, this World Voyager is equipped with plenty of toys, such as expedition RIBs, a seaplane and a submarine, as well as a foldable catamaran, four jet skis and a helicopter, all selectively chosen to minimize emissions. Scintilla allows you to discover nature in a harmonious way and has been designed and built according to a full cradle-to-cradle study for the full lifecycle of the yacht.

She will be a stunning vision on the horizon wherever she sails.

For more information, please contact:

Shahhid Vohraa, ssvohra@dreamlineryachting.com +1 (954)4630000
www.drealineryachting.com

Scott Jones, sjones@iyc.com, +1 (954) 529 6377
www.iyc.com