Jon Bannenberg
Encyclopedia
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
designer
Born in Australia, Bannenberg studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia...
. In 1952 he moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and his career began to morph towards its final destination: from music to stage design to opening an interior design shop with his first wife and ultimately to designing yachts. In the 1960s he designed some of the interiors of the QEII
RMS Queen Elizabeth 2
Queen Elizabeth 2, often referred to simply as the QE2, is an ocean liner that was operated by Cunard from 1969 to 2008. Following her retirement from cruising, she is now owned by Istithmar...
. From the 1970s onwards he designed large yachts for clients such as Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison
Lawrence Joseph "Larry" Ellison is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's leading enterprise software companies. As of 2011, he is the third wealthiest American citizen, with an estimated worth of $33 billion.- Early life :Larry Ellison was born in the...
, Malcolm Forbes
Malcolm Forbes
Malcolm Stevenson Forbes was publisher of Forbes magazine, founded by his father B. C. Forbes and today run by his son Steve Forbes.-Life and career:...
, Adnan Khashoggi
Adnan Khashoggi
Adnan Khashoggi is a Saudi Arabian arms-dealer and businessman. He is also noted for his engagements with high society in both the Occident and Arabic-speaking worlds, and for his involvement in the Iran–Contra and Lockheed bribery scandals, and numerous other affairs...
and Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Ian Robert Maxwell MC was a Czechoslovakian-born British media proprietor and former Member of Parliament , who rose from poverty to build an extensive publishing empire...
Bannenberg's innovative designs were sometimes controversial in the yachting community, provoking a "love it or hate it" response from many at the quayside. Yet today, "JB", as he was known, is much emulated, having inspired a generation of younger designers with his novel and functional arrangements and styling cues. In essence, Bannenberg introduced the latitude for the "stylist" in traditional shipbuilding, which until that time, followed conservative Post-WW2 practices.
As a rule, Bannenberg would style the vessel's exterior and interior, being responsible for the General Arrangement as well. He likened yachtbuilding to an "orchestra", requiring the talents of many and varied individuals. These would invariably include technical experts in naval architecture and engineering. Nevertheless, every "Bannenberg" clearly bore the stamp of its primary creator in terms of aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
, details and possibly most importantly - livestyle aboard.
"Lady Ghislaine
Lady Mona K
Lady Mona K is a luxury motor yacht built by Amels in 1986.-Design:Built in 1986 by Amels of Vlissingen, Netherlands, she was the first of numerous classic Jon Bannenberg designed super yachts. With a well-flared bow, lozenge-shaped ports, vertical windows and mullions, and handsomely sculpted...
", built in 1986 by Amels of Vlissingen, Holland, was the first of numerous classic Bannenberg designed super yachts. With a well-flared bow, lozenge-shaped ports, vertical windows and mullions, and handsomely sculpted mast complex. For her time, she was a ground-breaking yacht, with among many trendsetting features an almost standard today gymnasium on the upper deck that can be opened for fresh air or closed to the elements. Later renamed "Lady Mona K", she features Bannenberg signatures which became classical, including use of symmetry and asymmetry to create spaces that are inviting for their spaciousness as well as their intimacy.
Arguably the most striking of his futuristic designs began with the Oceanfast 2000 Never Say Never. This 122 feet (37.2 m) long vessel displayed not only shockingly futuristic aesthetics, but a totally unprecedented internal layout. Bannenberg and the Oceanfast shipyard (Perth, Australia) went on to create many impressive vessels including Mystique, Mercedes, Part V, and Sagitta.
Ultimately, Bannenberg worked with many of the world's best shipyards in Holland, Italy, Germany and England. At Brooke Yachts (Lowestoft, UK) a string of remarkable vessels were produced including Stefaren, G-Whiz, and JB's personal yacht, the sloop Beaupre. Ironically, while Bannenberg possessed the most distinctive "signature" in the business, no two vessels (barring sisterships) were ever alike.
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Larry Ellison
Lawrence Joseph "Larry" Ellison is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's leading enterprise software companies. As of 2011, he is the third wealthiest American citizen, with an estimated worth of $33 billion.- Early life :Larry Ellison was born in the...
's Rising Sun
Rising Sun (yacht)
Rising Sun is a motor yacht designed by the late Jon Bannenberg, and built by Germany's Lürssen. It was originally purchased by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, and is currently owned by David Geffen. The yacht is the 8th largest in the world with a length of almost 138 metres...
. The attribution is most notable, if not mysterious, because the vessel bears no resemblance to any earlier Bannenberg work. Then again, JB was legendary for his drive to try new things.
Bannenberg died of an inoperable Brain tumour at his home in London in 2002.
Bannenberg Designs continues to design yachts, under the direction of Jon's son Dickie Bannenberg and Creative Director Simon Rowell.