The UK’s Laurent Giles is celebrating its 90th anniversary and 1,400th yacht project this year.

The company is widely recognised as one of the longest established and most respected independent yacht designers and naval architects in the world.

Based in Lymington, Laurent Giles was founded by Jack Laurent Giles in 1927, quickly establishing himself as a pioneer in new design and construction techniques. 

Laurent Giles was the first to design the all-aluminum offshore racing yacht, Gulvain, and one of the first to adopt GRP construction in the early 1960s. 

Whilst many of Jack’s early designs were “gentleman’s” sailing yachts, the pursuit of performance was always paramount and honed in racing yacht design, this included the stunning America’s Cup Yacht Flica II. 

The last 90 years have seen Laurent Giles work with many world-leading shipyards and builders including Lurssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, Nobiskrug, Fincantieri, Benetti, DML, Pendennis and Viareggio Superyachts. 

Laurent Giles, which has been working with families through generations, has continuously perfected with its clients the art of yacht design and naval architecture. 

 “The passion and innovation instilled by Jack is embedded in the company’s DNA that bears his name and we continue to innovate, push the boundaries and strive for perfection and perfectly understand our clients every desire as Jack did,” says David Lewis, Managing Director.

Today, Laurent Giles is pursuing the latest developments in new construction materials and methods, hybrid diesel, electric pod drive propulsion systems, advances in communications and navigation. Other areas of expertise are refined hull design and optimization, hydrofoil advances and fully eco motor and sailing yachts.

“With concepts like the stunning 110-m motor sailor Atlas, we can say with confidence that Laurent Giles will continue in the vein of Jack Laurent Giles,” comments Stephen Wallis, Director and Senior Naval Architect.

Conceived by Laurent Giles in collaboration with H2 Yacht Design, Project Atlas, is modern motor superyacht that utilises the efficiencies of sail power. Atlas has been designed to be used with a combination of motor and /or sails, exploiting the obvious fuel saving benefits. The contemporary five-deck superyacht form is complemented by the sail arrangement, demonstrating the potential in merging superyacht volume with the graceful elegance of a sailing yacht.