Nautical industry and furniture: synergies in the making

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Marina Stella, Director General of Confindustria Nautica, explained: “The Design Innovation Award is now much more than an accolade: it is a forum for dialogue between companies, designers, and design culture, capable of providing, year after year, an authoritative interpretation of the evolution of contemporary boating. The growing quality shown by nominees confirms the sector’s vitality and its companies’ ability to innovate, experiment, and anticipate market changes.”

The growing importance of the award was also underlined by Luisa Bocchietto, architect, designer, and member of the Steering Committee since the first edition: “The Design Innovation Award got off to a slow start. At first, it was difficult to get all the exhibitors to participate, and especially foreign ones – which have increased year after year. Today, we’ve reached 100 participants: a huge number. The award has become an important component of the Boat Show, perhaps also thanks to the fact that it’s not sponsored by a magazine or the event itself. The jury is independent: some members remain, others change; it includes Italian and foreign journalists, designers, shipowners, and members of academia. Each of their visions complements the others. We have no influence whatsoever on the selection. The debate is always exciting and constructive.”

During the awards ceremony, Paolo Brescia, President of the Design Innovation Award jury, stated: “Everyone did a great job: with more than 100 products to evaluate, it wasn’t easy. The goal was to reward projects that stand out for their research, innovation, and sustainability, and to promote new design, including responsible design.”

It is about “moving from a reductionist vision to a holistic one,” the President continued. “One that puts our relationship with others and with the environment at the centre,” he concluded.

A connection between the world of sailing and design

Nicola Bonacchi, Head of development and innovation at Salone del Mobile, represented the event dedicated to Milanese design and also spoke at the award ceremony: “It’s a pleasure for me to be here. We have two great excellences in Italy: design and the nautical industry. For this reason, Salone del Mobile.Milano has decided to introduce, starting next year, a new event, scheduled for April, to create a connection between the worlds of boating and design: Salone Contract. It will be an opportunity to connect these two industries and foster new opportunities to meet, collaborate, and develop. We began working on this new project with Confindustria Nautica this year, with the aim of identifying the most effective way to present it and to offer everyone the best opportunities to create a concrete connection between these two worlds. We hope to see you all in Milan in mid-April.”

The categories, the winners, and the reasons

Sailing, motor or pneumatic vessels (up to 10 m LH) Key Largo 25 – Sessa Marine – Designer: Daniele Mazzon

Reason: A perfect combination of dynamic, contemporary design and innovative use, integrating modular features typical of much larger vessels.

Sailing vessels (up to 14 m LH) Dufour 39 – Dufour – Interior Design: Luca Ardizio – Naval Architecture: Umberto Felci Yacht Design  

Reason: The Dufour 39 continues the brand’s path of design innovation thanks to meticulous attention to captivating aesthetics and details, maximising interior volumes and usability.

Sailing vessels over 14 m: Grand Soleil 60 – Cantiere del Pardo – Designer: Nauta Design – Naval Architecture: Matteo Polli

Reason: Complementing the engineering ingenuity of the cockpit and deck, the model offers a stunning and spacious interior layout, as well as high-quality finishes.

Motorboats (up to 14 m LH): A48 O/B – Cranchi Yachts – Designer: Cranchi Research Team – Naval Architecture: Aldo Cranchi – Art Direction: Christian Grande

Reason: This maxi-crossover yacht with large volumes transforms the cockpit into an enormous beach area thanks to the folding bulwarks.

Motorboats over 14 m LH: Pardo GT65 – Cantiere del Pardo – Designer: Nauta Design – Naval Architecture: Zuccheri Yacht Design

Reason: The Pardo GT65 won over the jury with its unique layout and the panoramic experience offered by the wheelhouse design, creating an extraordinary living environment on board.

Superyacht (over 24 m LH): Magellano 27M – Azimut Yachts – Hull Designer: Pierluigi Asonio, Azimut Benetti R&D Dept – Exterior Designer: Jarkko Jamsén, Navia Design – Interior Designer: Michele De Lucchi and AMDL Circle

Reason: A project that brings into the superyacht segment the ability to combine a break from traditional stylistic conventions with innovative layout, elegant finishes, and a seamless connection with high-quality interior spaces. The result is a product with a strong identity, yet one that clearly asserts its vocation as a vessel for living.

Maxi RIB (over 10 m LH) – MX-15 Explorer – Magazzù Yachting – Designer: Cantiere Magazzù  

Reason: A multifunctional and extremely elegant concept characterised by high comfort, with interiors featuring carefully selected materials and colours, designed for travel and outdoor water activities.

Multihull: Lagoon 47 – Lagoon Catamarans – Naval Architecture: VPLP Design – Exterior Designer: Patrick Le Quément – Interior Designer: Nauta Design

Reason: The most innovative feature of the Lagoon 47 catamaran is the direct passageway that seamlessly connects the interior living room to the lounge area in the forward cockpit; all this combined with a generous layout and a refined choice of colours and materials. 

Nautical components (Structural and functional elements)

Accessories: MILOS COAX – MZ Electronics

Reason: Unlike traditional capstan winches, which are installed at 90° and require access below deck in often cramped areas, this product’s innovative “in-line” design allows for installation and maintenance from the deck, with obvious benefits for both the shipyard and the end user.

Accessories and equipment: Bettersea Power – Bettersea Power

Reason: Innovation, safety, and sustainability are at the heart of this seamless integration of renewable energy production directly on the quayside, where it is needed.

On-board electronics and software: SmartDrive – Garmin

Reason: A truly radical innovation in autopilot actuator design, reducing power consumption, wiring, external components, and installation complexity while increasing reliability and flexibility.

Honourable mention: Sailing, motor or pneumatic vessels (up to 10 m LH)

Sestante 6.8 Lupo di Mare – Verga 1958 – Designer: Matteo Costa Yacht Design  

Reason: The Verga 1958 wins you over with its entry-level price, contemporary nautical style, and sustainable approach to materials and construction.

Honourable mention: Motorboats over 14 m LH

Riva 56 Rivale Super – Ferretti Group – Designer: Officina Italiana Design and Ferretti Group

Reason: The Riva’s signature aerodynamic and harmonious silhouette is enhanced by the selection of high-quality, modern materials for the interior, as well as by innovative formal solutions. 

Special Awards 

Innovation: Icona 70 by Mangusta – Overmarine Group – Designer: Lobanov Design, Overmarine Group and Effebi New Project – presented by Venini

Talent (for high-potential entrepreneurial ideas and paths): Limenet – presented by Mario Peserico, Managing Director at Eberhard & Co.

Career: Veleria San Giorgio and Gottifredi Maffioli – presented by Giuseppe La Boria, General Manager of BPER Banca for Liguria and Piedmont.