Project 111.11: Van der Valk's New 34m Custom Build Under Construction

Taking the proven hull design of Van der Valk’s award-winning LADY LENE, the Dutch shipyard’s new 34m Project 111.11 uses her predecessor as a platform for a fully custom superstructure with four decks of entertainment facilities. She is a beautiful blend of the owners’ unique visions combined with the exquisite creative talents of Gudio de Groot, who penned the exterior, and Carla Guilhem, who is responsible for the interior. 

Van der Valk is currently enjoying considerable success in its field of building bespoke 25 - 45 metre superyachts, 34m BLUE JEANS who was delivered in 2022 going on to win a number of awards. The owners who ordered Project 111.11 were inspired in their design to create a vessel with all the qualities of an award-winning yacht.

‘The initial brief was to blend their own design with a proven hull form for a reinforced all-aluminium hull in a full displacement format,’ commented Yoeri Bijker, Van der Valk’s Head of Sales. ‘Using the engineering platform from a successful build like Lady Lene generates major cost and efficiency synergies while allowing for an entirely different look & feel. The owners have made the most of this highly efficient way of building that provides exceptional freedom to customise a yacht above the waterline.’

The owners wished for five staterooms, including a full-beam master suite on the main deck, a skylounge, and a multifunctional beach club/sports-garage. The result of these wishes is a layout which was developed to entertain large groups of people in a 34m vessel, whose volume is genuinely impressive for a yacht of her size. 

The owners’ request regarding the yacht’s exteriors was that the design was fresh, Guido de Groot commenting that, ‘They had clear ideas of what they wanted having been unable to find anything suitable among the semi-custom and series options on today’s markets.’ Four decks on a 34m yacht is certainly challenging, showing Project 111.11 to have a unique and innovative design, with de Groot working very closely with the owners to bring their visions to life. The exterior design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but incredibly functional. De Groot commented: ‘The way the bulwarks have been dropped allows for seamless views from floor-to-ceiling windows in the main salon while also flooding this area with loads of light.’ 

This boat is perfect for entertaining; an expansive alfresco area with a sun deck highlighting this. This area features a jacuzzi surrounded by a large seating area and a bar, and the centre deck has a U-shaped lounging space around a folding table that facilitates anything from formal dining to cocktail parties. The ingenious design is showcased as the aft facing sunbeds are equipped with a system of doors and panels that create partitions when the weather requires.

Carla Guilhem has commented on the interior design: ‘We have opted for a futuristic feel with super-smooth rounded shapes and a monochrome look with trims and frames that emphasise the neutral colours. Those who step on board Project 111.11 will feel like they’re being embraced in an otherworldly but inviting environment.’ Whilst inspired by images of the Moon and Mars, the interior is grounded in real life. Imperfect geometric forms dominate the design, with an unparalleled sense of elegance. 

Project 111.11 is a highly complex superyacht, her success dependent on close cooperation between all parties involved. This owner-driven build and design experience is taking impressive shape at the Van der Valk shipyard, Project 111.11 perfectly emphasising this.