German metalworks company kreative metallform has developed the world's first adjustable exterior shading jalousie system for superyachts, tested to withstand Beaufort Force 12 winds (71 knots) in a wind tunnel. BOAT explores how this marine-grade innovation is transforming outdoor comfort on luxury yachts.
The superyacht industry is constantly looking for new ways to improve life on board while balancing functionality, aesthetics and the realities of life at sea - and exterior shading has long been a challenge in the harsh marine environment.
kreative metallform (KMF), a German company founded in 1997 by engineer Peter Joachimmeyer, has built its reputation on tackling complex design problems. Since 2011, the company has manufactured bespoke stainless-steel and glass folding doors and movable windbreak solutions for superyachts.
Its work ranges from near-invisible sliding windbreakers and folding glass doors to stacking gates - all designed to make exterior decks more comfortable and usable without sacrificing visibility. KMF's work can be found on board superyachts built and refitted at the world's foremost shipyards, including Abeking & Rasmussen, Nobiskrug and Lürssen. Its projects for the latter include 72.8-metre Starfire and 97.2-metre Carinthia VII.
Now, KMF has put that expertise to work on a new project, incorporating what Joachimmeyer says is the first adjustable exterior shading jalousie system designed for a superyacht.
Exterior shading that works in extreme marine conditions
The company's latest innovation arose from a challenge: a designer tasked a shipyard with integrating adjustable shading jalousies into a yacht's exterior. An exterior manufacturer approached for the job could not guarantee full functionality in Force 8 conditions on the Beaufort scale, so they declined to bid.
The shipyard then turned to KMF. Drawing on its engineering expertise, in-house design and manufacturing capabilities and its experience in sailing and regattas, the company went to work developing a solution.
While blue skies and sunshine may be the yachting industry default, exterior equipment must also be designed to withstand the harsh marine environment. For KMF, that meant accounting for the significant wind loads generated when a yacht is already traveling at speed.
"We set out to tackle the task," Joachimmeyer says. "Our goal: the shading jalousies should be sturdy, durable, low-maintenance, visually appealing, flexible and quiet. The objective was to develop shading blinds that can withstand a Beaufort force 12 wind while remaining fully functional."
As Joachimmeyer notes, superyachts move through the water at speeds ranging from 17 to 25 knots or more. "If the yacht is then hit by a true wind of, say, Beaufort force 9 from the front, the total wind speed is 73 knots, which corresponds to Beaufort force 12."
Withstanding the wind was only part of the challenge. KMF also wanted to ensure the blinds remained quiet under these conditions. "We also wanted to ensure that, even at these high wind speeds, the blinds would not vibrate and thereby begin to make noises such as rattling."
Wind tunnel testing to Force 12
In just a few months, KMF designed and constructed the shading blinds, and tested them in Deutsche WindGuard's wind tunnel. The shades are electrically operated and controlled by toggle switches. Each blind can be raised, lowered or tilted independently and stopped at any position, while synchronous operation is also available.
KMF recently completed testing for the blinds at the Deutsche WindGuard wind tunnel in Bremerhaven, Germany. The facility used a turntable to simulate various wind directions and speeds, with the new shades tested in winds up to Beaufort force 12 (about 64 to 71 knots).
"The results confirmed our claim that the shading blinds are fully functional at wind speeds of Beaufort force 12 and significantly exceeded the specified limit of Beaufort force 8," Joachimmeyer says.
An integrated control system can also be programmed to retract the blinds when winds exceed Beaufort force 12. It's an added safety element that offers yacht owners peace of mind, he says. "There are virtually no limits to the design options," Joachimmeyer adds. Designed for both new builds and refits, the blinds can be customised — the slats can be coated in any RAL colour and covered with film, making them easy to integrate into a yacht's design.
While developed with the superyacht environment in mind, the technology's potential extends beyond the yachting industry, with Joachimmeyer noting that the blinds would work well for exterior shading on high-rise buildings.
For kreative metallform, the project embodies its ethos: taking on tough projects and combining technical expertise with thoughtful design to create innovative solutions that make life on board even more comfortable - without needing to compromise the superyacht experience.
Contact kreative metallform directly to find out more information.
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