foster + partners reinvents the megayacht with 'outlier I' concept

Outlier I Debuts at Monaco Yacht show

Foster + Partners’ longtime engagement with maritime design finds a new expression at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show with the unveiling of the Outlier I megayacht concept. With early vessels like the 68-foot Alen 68 to the landmark Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo, the British studio has long explored the intersection of architecture and the world of yachts.

Outlier I is a continuation of that pursuit, presenting an 88-meter (289-foot) concept developed in collaboration with Lateral Engineering to show how Foster + Partners’ architectural sensibilities combine with marine technology to imagine a new megayacht.

Foster + Partners presents the Outlier I concept at Monaco Yacht Week | visualizations © Foster + Partners

foster + partners reimagines the megayacht

Foster + Partners takes a disciplined approach to proportion and structure with the exterior of its Outlier I yacht concept. Strong horizontal bands of glazing cut across the dark hull, and angled terraces create a layered geometry that draws the eye along its length.

Working with the engineers at Lateral, the architects made a decisive move by relocating the engine room forward toward the bow. The team notes that this adjustment is unconventional for a vessel of this scale. It serves to liberate the mid and rear sections from mechanical constraints and opens possibilities for uninterrupted living spaces.

The reorganized interiors accommodate double-height rooms and lofty atriums for uninterrupted vertical connections. This means that the concept has a lofty spatial quality that is rarely achieved in the megayacht category.

the 88-meter yacht is developed in collaboration with Lateral

lofty interiors for ocean views

Inside Foster + Partners’ Outlier I yacht concept, the sense of openness is immediate. A soaring central atrium floods the core of the yacht with sunlight, accentuated by floor-to-ceiling glazing that frames views of the coastlines and shifting sea.

Pale timber surfaces, soft fabrics, and honed stone finishes combine to lend interiors that are both refined and restrained. Circulation flows through a transparent spiral stair and broad walkways, allowing guests to move fluidly between lounges, dining areas, and terraces. The absence of visual barriers means that interiors open broadly to surrounding views, so that every space feels oriented toward the horizon.

double height interiors connect vertically through a central atrium

Outlier I provides around forty percent more deck space than typical yachts of similar length. As such, it has wider terraces and longer, uninterrupted exterior promenades. The rear deck extends dramatically toward the water, and is even integrated with a swimming pool and helipad.

The yacht includes large open-air lounges and shaded dining areas. From the main salon to the upper sun decks, guests remain visually linked to the surrounding seascape, highlighting the design team’s emphasis on effortless engagement with its setting.

deck space is forty percent larger than comparable yachts

Despite its modest 88-meter length, the yacht maintains a 2000-GT displacement — referring to its gross-tonnage, or internal volume — that allows easier mooring and still supports the amenities of a much larger craft. The concept is planned for owner-driven customization, whether configured for intimate retreats or social gatherings.

The team explains that Outlier I’s systems are designed for both coastal cruising and extended passages, offering the range and resilience required for exploratory voyages. The flexible internal framework permits varied layouts, from expansive private suites to multifunctional entertainment zones.