Toroa

2023

4th Year

Group project: Sam Clule, Gemma Sims, Bruno Corban

Inspired by the Toroa, this boat is designed to thrive in the subantarctic islands off the south coast of Aotearoa. These islands are the breeding grounds for endangered Toroa, a bird renowned as a great navigator of the ocean. They embark on long journeys, hunting off the coast of south America before circumnavigating the globe and returning to their breeding grounds in Campbell Island.

Our vessel is designed to facilitate research and adventures around the rugged coastlines of the South Pacific. It is built to navigate the world’s roughest oceans, providing a base for adventurers as well as aiding climate and conservation researchers.

A great navigator

Known as a great navigator of the oceans, the Toroa is one of the biggest birds alive today with a wingspan of over 3 meters. However, it is facing risks of extinction due to changing climate, the fishing industry and plastic.

Design Process

My Role - Design meaning and story/concept, Rhino surface cad modeling, model making.

As a team we used a wide range of design tools to reach our final outcome. These included concept sketches, Photoshop illustration and rendering, Vr modeling for layout, surface modeling on Rhino, technical modeling on Solidworks and digital rendering on Keyshot.

Deep South Research Vessel

The boat is designed with open decks which offer a space for tasks such as tagging endangered birds, deploying research equipment and storing gear. The cabins accommodate 4-8 crew and have self-contained facilities.

The unique hull design protects against large swells, ensuring the safety of the crew. Additionally, anelevated cockpit serves as a vantage point for the captain. Together these features create a true companion, enabling both adventurers and researchers to explore wild and untouched areas of Aotearoa.