Here\u2019s a project that VPLP holds dear: the Atelier des Tropiques. It all started more than two\u00a0decades ago when French sailor and painter Titouan Lamazou first mooted the concept of an\u00a0ocean-going artist\u2019s studio. ADT, its current codename, has been through multiple mutations,\u00a0being the Navire Orientaliste in the 1990s, a motor catamaran designed by Jean Nouvel from\u00a0plans by VPLP in the noughties, and a 44-metre schooner in 2010. \u201cBut we\u2019re still faithful to\u00a0the initial idea,\u201d insists Titouan Lamazou. Today, the plan is for a 28\u00a0m catamaran which has\u00a0a 13\u00a0m beam and carries a wingsail of 240 square metres. Systems for harnessing renewable\u00a0resources, including more than 600 square metres of solar panels, will provide for all her\u00a0energy needs.
\nSo she\u2019s basically a floating residence for artists which can put on exhibitions and travel far\u00a0and wide. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s all about driving forward a concept that we hold dear,\u201d explains Marc\u00a0Van Peterghem, who has been following the project since the beginning. \u201cIt has allowed us to\u00a0push the envelope in the floating-home- that-moves genre. She\u2019s a seagoing boat with simple\u00a0aesthetics.\u201d Inspiration for the design comes from the traditional Polynesian pirogue, craft\u00a0which featured a house supported by two hulls. In the case of the ADT, however, the house is\u00a0a 100-square- metre studio with three cabins for the artists and bunks for the crew. \u201cMuch of\u00a0the interior will be lifted from the Lagoon SEVENTY 7 series manufactured by our partner Beneteau,\u201d\u00a0adds the painter and winner of the first Vend\u00e9e Globe back in 1990.
\nWhen it comes to propulsion, the ADT is essentially a hybrid design. The automatic wingsail\u00a0integrates seamlessly with the diesel-electric engine to make the most out of the wind and\u00a0waves. \u201cThis ship is a glimpse into the future of sailing,\u201d says Titouan Lamazou. \u201cNot only is\u00a0she a creative tool, she represents a new and environmentally friendly approach to living on\u00a0the sea.\u201d Construction of the Atelier des Tropiques is scheduled to start in the autumn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here\u2019s a project that VPLP holds dear: the Atelier des Tropiques. It all started more than two\u00a0decades ago when French sailor and painter Titouan Lamazou first mooted the concept of an\u00a0ocean-going artist\u2019s studio.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":12175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1448,1451],"tags":[1528],"class_list":["post-9239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-en-en","tag-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n