RNLI x Sunseeker
Alexander Haydn Pope
Alexander Haydn Pope’s RNLI x Sunseeker collaborative vessel was designed to assist large and industrial vessels in distress.
“This whole project has been driven by my design philosophy and manifesto,” says Pope, who created the vessel to help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The organization relies on donations rather than government funding to keep the vessels at sea at a cost of £485,000 per day. A collaboration with Sunseeker, widely seen as the brand leader within their sector, would benefit both parties, Pope says.
“When designing the vessel I wanted to produce something that had not been seen before, aesthetically or functionally,” says Pope, who used Jelutong, 3D-printing, CNC milling and vacuum forming to hand-craft his model. “I believe that I have fulfilled this criterion making my audience dig deeper and ask questions to gain a deeper insight into the project and my way of thinking.”
Pope says the process was very rewarding as it enabled him to explore the practical side of design. The final model is something that showcases a wide range of techniques, skills and practices that Pope was able to develop as a designer.
