Laurent Giles Celebrates 90 Years of Yacht Design

As one of the longest established and most respected independent yacht designers and naval architects in the world, Laurent Giles is celebrating its 90th anniversary and 1400th project this year. 

Based in Lymington in Hampshire, Laurent Giles was founded by Jack Laurent Giles in 1927, who rapidly established himself as a pioneer of new design and construction techniques. Laurent Giles designed the first all-aluminum offshore racing yacht, Gulvain, and was one of the first yacht designers to adopt GRP construction in the early 1960’s.

Many of Jack’s early designs were described as 'gentlemen's sailing yachts, but the pursuit of performance was always paramount and evident in the America’s Cup contender Flica II and subsequent projects at leading shipyards including Lurssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, Nobiskrug, Fincantieri, Benetti, DML, Pendennis and Viareggio Superyachts.

Laurent Giles has also continued through several generations and for many clients it has come to represent much more than a brand. Jack's passion and innovative spirit is embedded in the company’s DNA.

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

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