09 July 2014
A new Frontier - Benetti Design Innovation
When Italian yacht builder Benetti asked the international design world to develop new concepts for its custom yachts ranging from 50m to 90m plus, based on existing Benetti platforms, the outcome was a ‘coup de theatre’ – something never seen before. And it seems this creative initiative – which saw 16 designers give new life to a fascinating journey of style, ideas and direction in yacht design – has been met with enthusiasm, with negotiations igniting on some of the designs.
The main goal of Benetti Design Innovation was to blaze a trail into the requirements of the next generation of superyacht owners and to have at hand a range of projects to offer clients. However, it was also a great marketing gimmick that confirms the yard’s commitment to excellence. Established designers including Bannenberg & Rowell, Luiz De Basto, Evan K Marshall, Nauta Design, and newcomers such as Palomba Serafini and Marco Casali approached the challenge with ingenuity and unrestrained imagination. 
Vincenzo Poerio, CEO of Benetti’s Megayachts Business Unit, says he was cultivating the idea of a design contest for years. “As devotees of novelty, evolution and challenge, we have no alternative than looking ahead, creating new trends,” he says. “This initiative is meant to be an opportunity for the yard, but also for a large number of designers to showcase their ideas. Evolving the design, the style and the strong family feeling imprinted on Benetti yachts by 140 years of history is not easy...but we love a challenge. Sixteen reputed yacht designers and naval architects enthusiastically joined our initiative, designing fine interpretations of Benetti’s future megayachts. We have had the opportunity to show a lot of these projects to clients in recent months, and they are getting a positive response and some negotiations have already started.” To appreciate fully the final result of the Benetti Design Innovation initiative, it is pivotal to know that submissions by the designers had to take into account Benetti’s heritage and style, and this was not an easy task. As we all know, all custom yachts by Benetti are easily identifiable due to a number of features such as the fashion plate (the ‘Benetti wing’) or the flared bow introduced by Benetti’s historical designer Stefano Natucci and cohesively developed throughout Benetti’s custom yachts production. It is also worth underlining the Benetti Design Innovation was not a mere proof of concept or a brain-storming session: all participants were asked to develop full projects, interior style and GA included, on the basis of precise parameters given by the yard. 
Despite their heterogeneity, most yachts share great purity of lines. By analysing the submitted projects, you will notice increased research for a close connection with the sea (large beach areas, balconies, for example) combined with attention to external areas. An extensive use of glazing allowing a lot of light in, as well as spectacular views out, underlines such a trend. Most projects also include some sort of spa area, whether it be a multi-purpose wellness or fitness room or a full deck relaxation retreat encompassing hammam, pool and massage room. An ever-increasing flexibility of the interior spaces and versatile layouts clearly show the aim to provide each owner with a yacht made to measure. Speaking with the visionary designers behind several projects included in the Benetti Design Innovation collection, another interesting pattern emerges: a smooth transition from exterior to interior really does happen on most projects in a seamless manner. This is the case of Edge, the 72m yacht submitted by Nauta/Mario Pedol. Still under the limelight due to the recent launch of their ground-breaking design of the world’s largest yacht, Azzam, Nauta Design’s contribution to Benetti Design Innovation is an elegant yacht with clean, sharp geometric lines incorporating an angular version of the ‘Benetti wing’. On board Edge, large outdoor areas on all decks and three terraces at sea level ensure close contact to the sea offering magnificent views over the surrounding landscape. 
Another project that’s pivotal concept is the close relationship between interior and exterior spaces is Innovation, an 80m by Bannenberg & Rowell. The Monaco-based studio produced a highly contemporary design boasting a spectacular beach club accessed from the main deck through an open tread stairwell. This is hidden in a transparent pyramid structure which provides the area below with plenty of natural light. On a smaller scale, the 50m Beach concept sets the standards of a series of four models up to 91m proposed by Cor D Rover. With a contemporary exterior design, vertical bow, extended aft section of the main deck with a huge swimming pool and refreshing interior style, Cor D Rover brought the essence of comfort and wellbeing into a 50m yacht. As a whole, the Benetti Design Innovation’s large portfolio of projects is a rare opportunity to compare styles and visions of what will be the future of yacht design in the coming years, not only for Benetti. As well as helping to understand what some of the most talented designers worldwide have up their sleeves, the initiative provides a clue towards Benetti’s attitude and capability to strengthen its leading position in the global market.
Dutch designer Cor D Rover’s submissions are four cohesive models composing the Beach concept series: 50m, 55m, 72m and 91m. With its contemporary exterior design with vertical bow and an extended aft section of the main deck, and with its refreshing interior style, the 50m settles the standards of the series it belongs to. Designed for pampering owners and guests, it boasts a large swimming pool on the main deck aft and a beach club that can be turned into a funky nightclub. Wellness area, hairdressing, massage suite, retractable terraces in the VIP suites are among the features that make this yacht the essence of comfort and wellbeing.
Ludovica and Roberto Palomba approached the challenge as newcomers in the yachting world trying to carry their expertise in architecture and industrial design into the project of a 72m yacht. They started from the idea of a ‘high-powered car of the sea’, aristocratic and futuristic with a long ‘car bonnet-like’ fore section and rearward superstructure. Behind the concept is the desire to rebuild a close relationship with the marine environment and the two designers use an array of features and solutions, such as retractable ceilings, slide-out balconies and sole-ceiling glazing to release all interior spaces from any visual obstruction.
Casali’s Cloud 90 is meant to be the yacht of the future. An uninterrupted glazed surface with a single inclusion represented by the typical ‘Benetti wing’ joins the hull to the superstructure, to the ‘hanging cloud’ where the owner’s apartment enjoys a 360-degree view, large cabin, studio, private lounging, and billiards room. Two huge swimming pools and a 200m running track have been included to further emphasise the importance owners dedicate today to wellness. “With Cloud 90 we have launched a challenge into Benetti’s future, trying, at the same time, to keep stylistic evidences of the historical memory of the yard.”
In Horacio Bozzo’s words: “The aim of the project was to design a yacht that despite her size still looks like a family yacht. One of the innovative features is the unusual location of the stairs going from the swimming platform to the main deck. They have been shifted forward leaving an unobstructed balcony area right on the aft main deck. The low and wide hull shape in the stern changes into an aggressive profile towards the bow giving her a muscular look”.
Key to this design is huge interior volumes and distinctive exterior lines. Carrying an unmistakable signature line, the exterior is designed to look sleek and purposeful with wing- like fashion plates separating the forward and aft sections of the yacht. Bulwarks are lowered aft of the fashion plates with glass insets, maximising views out from the interior and lowering the perception of superstructure volume aft.
Why ‘Edge’? In Mario Pedol’s words, the project’s name indicates the limit between the present and the future. Still under the limelight due to the recent launching of their ground-breaking design of the world’s largest yacht, Azzam, Nauta Design’s contribution to the Benetti Design Innovation initiative is an elegant 72m yacht with clean, sharp geometric lines incorporating an angular version of the ‘Benetti wing’. Three terraces at sea level ensure close contact to the sea and plenty of outdoor areas on all decks offer magnificent views over the surrounding landscape.
With its highly contemporary design, Innovation 80m boasts a spectacular beach club accessed from the main deck through an open tread stairwell hidden in a transparent pyramid structure which provides the area below with plenty of natural light. The relationship between interior and exterior spaces is enhanced by the large cockpit seamlessly flowing into the main salon thanks to huge bi-fold glass doors.
This article first appeared in the Fraser yachting magazine
Vincenzo Poerio, CEO of Benetti’s Megayachts Business Unit, says he was cultivating the idea of a design contest for years. “As devotees of novelty, evolution and challenge, we have no alternative than looking ahead, creating new trends,” he says. “This initiative is meant to be an opportunity for the yard, but also for a large number of designers to showcase their ideas. Evolving the design, the style and the strong family feeling imprinted on Benetti yachts by 140 years of history is not easy...but we love a challenge. Sixteen reputed yacht designers and naval architects enthusiastically joined our initiative, designing fine interpretations of Benetti’s future megayachts. We have had the opportunity to show a lot of these projects to clients in recent months, and they are getting a positive response and some negotiations have already started.” To appreciate fully the final result of the Benetti Design Innovation initiative, it is pivotal to know that submissions by the designers had to take into account Benetti’s heritage and style, and this was not an easy task. As we all know, all custom yachts by Benetti are easily identifiable due to a number of features such as the fashion plate (the ‘Benetti wing’) or the flared bow introduced by Benetti’s historical designer Stefano Natucci and cohesively developed throughout Benetti’s custom yachts production. It is also worth underlining the Benetti Design Innovation was not a mere proof of concept or a brain-storming session: all participants were asked to develop full projects, interior style and GA included, on the basis of precise parameters given by the yard. Despite their heterogeneity, most yachts share great purity of lines. By analysing the submitted projects, you will notice increased research for a close connection with the sea (large beach areas, balconies, for example) combined with attention to external areas. An extensive use of glazing allowing a lot of light in, as well as spectacular views out, underlines such a trend. Most projects also include some sort of spa area, whether it be a multi-purpose wellness or fitness room or a full deck relaxation retreat encompassing hammam, pool and massage room. An ever-increasing flexibility of the interior spaces and versatile layouts clearly show the aim to provide each owner with a yacht made to measure. Speaking with the visionary designers behind several projects included in the Benetti Design Innovation collection, another interesting pattern emerges: a smooth transition from exterior to interior really does happen on most projects in a seamless manner. This is the case of Edge, the 72m yacht submitted by Nauta/Mario Pedol. Still under the limelight due to the recent launch of their ground-breaking design of the world’s largest yacht, Azzam, Nauta Design’s contribution to Benetti Design Innovation is an elegant yacht with clean, sharp geometric lines incorporating an angular version of the ‘Benetti wing’. On board Edge, large outdoor areas on all decks and three terraces at sea level ensure close contact to the sea offering magnificent views over the surrounding landscape. Another project that’s pivotal concept is the close relationship between interior and exterior spaces is Innovation, an 80m by Bannenberg & Rowell. The Monaco-based studio produced a highly contemporary design boasting a spectacular beach club accessed from the main deck through an open tread stairwell. This is hidden in a transparent pyramid structure which provides the area below with plenty of natural light. On a smaller scale, the 50m Beach concept sets the standards of a series of four models up to 91m proposed by Cor D Rover. With a contemporary exterior design, vertical bow, extended aft section of the main deck with a huge swimming pool and refreshing interior style, Cor D Rover brought the essence of comfort and wellbeing into a 50m yacht. As a whole, the Benetti Design Innovation’s large portfolio of projects is a rare opportunity to compare styles and visions of what will be the future of yacht design in the coming years, not only for Benetti. As well as helping to understand what some of the most talented designers worldwide have up their sleeves, the initiative provides a clue towards Benetti’s attitude and capability to strengthen its leading position in the global market.
Cor D Rover - BEACH CONCEPT 50M
Dutch designer Cor D Rover’s submissions are four cohesive models composing the Beach concept series: 50m, 55m, 72m and 91m. With its contemporary exterior design with vertical bow and an extended aft section of the main deck, and with its refreshing interior style, the 50m settles the standards of the series it belongs to. Designed for pampering owners and guests, it boasts a large swimming pool on the main deck aft and a beach club that can be turned into a funky nightclub. Wellness area, hairdressing, massage suite, retractable terraces in the VIP suites are among the features that make this yacht the essence of comfort and wellbeing.PS + A Palomba Serafini - JOLLY ROGERS 65M
Ludovica and Roberto Palomba approached the challenge as newcomers in the yachting world trying to carry their expertise in architecture and industrial design into the project of a 72m yacht. They started from the idea of a ‘high-powered car of the sea’, aristocratic and futuristic with a long ‘car bonnet-like’ fore section and rearward superstructure. Behind the concept is the desire to rebuild a close relationship with the marine environment and the two designers use an array of features and solutions, such as retractable ceilings, slide-out balconies and sole-ceiling glazing to release all interior spaces from any visual obstruction.Marco Casali - CLOUD 90M
Casali’s Cloud 90 is meant to be the yacht of the future. An uninterrupted glazed surface with a single inclusion represented by the typical ‘Benetti wing’ joins the hull to the superstructure, to the ‘hanging cloud’ where the owner’s apartment enjoys a 360-degree view, large cabin, studio, private lounging, and billiards room. Two huge swimming pools and a 200m running track have been included to further emphasise the importance owners dedicate today to wellness. “With Cloud 90 we have launched a challenge into Benetti’s future, trying, at the same time, to keep stylistic evidences of the historical memory of the yard.”AXIS Group/Horacio Bozzo - HELIOS 88M
In Horacio Bozzo’s words: “The aim of the project was to design a yacht that despite her size still looks like a family yacht. One of the innovative features is the unusual location of the stairs going from the swimming platform to the main deck. They have been shifted forward leaving an unobstructed balcony area right on the aft main deck. The low and wide hull shape in the stern changes into an aggressive profile towards the bow giving her a muscular look”.Eidsgaard Design - 70M
Key to this design is huge interior volumes and distinctive exterior lines. Carrying an unmistakable signature line, the exterior is designed to look sleek and purposeful with wing- like fashion plates separating the forward and aft sections of the yacht. Bulwarks are lowered aft of the fashion plates with glass insets, maximising views out from the interior and lowering the perception of superstructure volume aft.Nauta Design/Mario Pedol - EDGE 72M
Why ‘Edge’? In Mario Pedol’s words, the project’s name indicates the limit between the present and the future. Still under the limelight due to the recent launching of their ground-breaking design of the world’s largest yacht, Azzam, Nauta Design’s contribution to the Benetti Design Innovation initiative is an elegant 72m yacht with clean, sharp geometric lines incorporating an angular version of the ‘Benetti wing’. Three terraces at sea level ensure close contact to the sea and plenty of outdoor areas on all decks offer magnificent views over the surrounding landscape.Bannenberg & Rowell - INNOVATION 80M
With its highly contemporary design, Innovation 80m boasts a spectacular beach club accessed from the main deck through an open tread stairwell hidden in a transparent pyramid structure which provides the area below with plenty of natural light. The relationship between interior and exterior spaces is enhanced by the large cockpit seamlessly flowing into the main salon thanks to huge bi-fold glass doors.Share this page
