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OAK ISSUE - n° 16 - 2018 - € 10 www.theoney d.com
The Art of Sailing CRN Latona 50m
QUART ERLY - P.I. 28/10 /2018 Intern ationa l € 10, Poste Italiane S.p.a. Chf 10,50 , UK £ 7,50 Spedizione in Abbon Postale - 70% amento LO/MI
[ MEGAYACHT ]
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Rossinavi’s 49-metre yacht is clear proof that millennials are breaking into the superyacht world. This is no conventional craft - Fulvio De Simoni has created ground-breaking exterior lines, while Achille Salvagni’s interiors are gentler and more intimate. Not a stylistic contradiction, but a different approach to a balance of forms by Bianca Ascenti - ph. by Paolo Petrignani (interiors), by Tom van Oossanen (external)
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hen you have a team that consists of a yachtbuilding
through methods that are irreconcilable in theory only. On the outside,
yard-studio like Rossinavi that shuns mass production,
the eye is attracted by De Simoni’s square, dynamic and muscular forms,
preferring to concentrate on high-quality custom builds,
but inside it can relax, taking in the soft, sinuous, feminine lines created
an experienced designer like Fulvio De Simoni, a naval
by Salvagni. The contrast is sharp and strong, yet it works. One solution
design expert of the calibre of Arrabito and an internationally-
that has already been introduced on De Simoni yachts is the half bridge
renowned architect like Achille Salvagni, then the result is bound
that immediately creates a sporty character and strong identity, as well
to be exceptional. And the Aurora is just that – in the literal
as lending movement to the design while increasing the amount of
meaning of the word, too, as it is an exception in the rather flat
liveable space. The stairs flanking the beach club, for example, lead up
superyacht market and embodies striking new style and design
to a raised sunbathing area, and from here guests descend towards the
elements, created to appeal to the refined, dynamic, smart tastes
open-air dining area, sheltered yet open on both sides. This is especially
of a Millennial clientele. The label fits its youthful owner, who
appreciated by those who are seeking privacy when the yacht is at
requested a megayacht with a strong personality, fast and under
berth. Another new feature is the second owner’s cabin on the forward
the 500GT threshold. In the looks department, this 49m craft
main deck, with a huge windshield and lateral “light cuts” for a more
breaks the rules by displaying two aesthetic levels that on paper
direct sailing experience. The beach club has a spacious sauna and
would seem to contradict each other, but what at first sight may be
bathroom, plus a latest-generation audiovisual system with interactive
interpreted as a deliberately subversive act soon resolves itself into
screen that enables guests to follow the progress of their voyage through
a genuine attempt to achieve architectural harmony and balance
live images transmitted by a camera mounted in the bows. In a clear contrast with the sporty, aggressive exteriors, Aurora’s interior reveals a warm, welcoming and intimate heart designed to enfold guests in a blanket of luxury and refinement. Once again Achille Salvagni has created interiors with a distinctive but never strident look. On the contrary, the shapes, shades and colours have deliberately been dialled down to offset the sporty, in-your-face grit of the exteriors. Known for his aesthetic sensitivity (expressed through a variety of architectural forms) and his knowledge of the different historical periods that he skilfully – and playfully – mixes with a finely-tuned sense of balance, the architect decisively rejects square, aggressive shapes in favour of soft, sinuous, feminine lines that form curves, waves and ovoids with no hint of corners or angles, enfolding guests in a warm voluptuous embrace. The spaces are filled with natural light flooding in through the windows, and the atmosphere throughout evokes the elegance of the 1920s and ‘30s, but given a contemporary twist. Discreet luxury is the dominant theme, reflected in the choice of rich materials enhanced by flawless artisanal work. As well as Carrara marble, Salvagni has selected rendered sycamore, brushed teak, polished ebony, bronze, silk and South American tineo. As is to be expected from an architect who is known for his unique, elegant furnishing elements, on board there are only custom pieces designed personally by Salvagni, from the hand-knotted Tibetan carpets to the lighting and furniture – the magnificent elliptical table is made from a single piece of oak with gold leaf treated to create a scaly, reptilian look. The only exceptions are pieces acquired at auction or discovered in art galleries – always strictly limited-edition items. Last but not least, there’s a wine cellar with 500 bottles and a selection of fine cigars stored in a temperature-controlled environment with password access. It is so beautiful that it occupies a prominent position on board, enabling guests to toast Aurora every day.
www.rossinavi.it
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An aluminium planing yacht, the Aurora has a maximum speed of 26 knots. Its square, muscular external lines create a powerful impact. Opening, the upper deck lounge with wide windows framing the exterior seascape like a painting
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The numerous vertical and horizontal elements on the sides are distinctive features of the Aurora, creating new geometries. Fulvio De Simoni has skilfully manipulated the mezzanine decks to provide movement and extend the spaces
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Yacht Designer Fulvio De Simoni
I
think the difference between a flybridge and a sports yacht lies mainly in the fact the flybridge design, slightly cropped with stacked decks, offers a standardised type of architecture, but I wanted to create a continuation between the upper deck and lower decks by using a kind of mezzanine in the aft section, so when you look at the yacht from behind you don’t see an entire deck separated from the other, as this raised section links them in a uniform way, conferring equal dignity and giving the yacht a more sporty, dynamic style. What’s more, forward of this mezzanine is an uncluttered full-beam area sheltered from the view of prying eyes. Here I’ve put a dining table for 25 people, open to the sides. As a result there’s enough space for the large beach club, with ample headroom and usable space. Aurora’s very distinctive bow isn’t a response to a specific request, but is inspired by my desire to give this part of the yacht a dignity that it is too often denied. Sometimes, out of laziness, (“It’ll sort itself out”), or convenience (“Best not go over the top and alienate the market”), the bows almost never receive any special attention from designers. However, I think that if properly exploited this space presents a great stylistic opportunity. Of course, computers have made the designer’s life much easier – you can see and copy everything and the result is uniform-looking yachts that are hard to tell apart. As for as I’m concerned, I prefer designing something different, the product of a genuine creative effort, even if that means it’s less widely welcomed. When I chose this job it certainly wasn’t so I could spend my time among fresh flowers and wallpaper! I think the owner’s cabin on the forward main deck is very interesting. It has a very special side window that looks directly out onto the sea, giving guests the impression that they’re really sailing, watching the waves coming towards them. Rossinavi has shown incredible
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skill, making even the most complex elements simple. I’m pleased to see a highly competent workforce made up of people who have said they are happy to work on a project they know is original and innovative.is very interesting. It has a very special side window that looks directly out onto the sea, giving guests the impression that they’re really sailing, watching the waves coming towards them. Rossinavi has shown incredible skill, making even the most complex elements simple. I’m pleased to see a highly competent workforce made up of people who have said they are happy to work on a project they know is original and innovative.
The numerous vertical and horizontal elements on the sides are distinctive features of the Aurora, creating new geometries. Fulvio De Simoni has skilfully manipulated the mezzanine decks to provide movement and extend the spaces
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Interior Design Achille Salvagni
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he most complex thing is to create something for a client who is still to appear, so I never start a project without spending some quality time with the potential owner. In this case I was face to face with a sophisticated young couple with very precise expectations. They were looking for a dynamic result that would not date. Toning down the aggressive external lines was not an overall change of approach, quite the opposite, in fact – we just realised that if a yacht with such futuristic lines was accompanied by equally intense interiors, its appeal would be short-lived. My intention was to make the life and value of the investment as enduring as possible. With my references to the 1920s and ‘30s I’ve tried to evoke the period that best embodied a projection towards the future while retaining respect for the past – so while the exteriors comprise futuristic shapes, the interiors recall a certain classic tradition while integrating extremely dynamic elements. Building an Art Deco yacht is not
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a complex task, but that’s not what I do, I’m not a decorator. What interests me is creating special atmospheres in a contemporary setting, narrating a path without stating it. To distance myself from the dark, dignified tones redolent of a certain classicism, I decided to match a light, brushed sportylooking wood with a dark, very glossy wood. My work begins with space, creating volumes and opening up perspectives, generating interiors that can then be refined and harmonised. Too often the interior designer is forced to “fill in” spaces that do not dialogue with one another because they weren’t developed during the design stage. The most complex part about Aurora was the forward owner’s cabin because of the inclined rising columns framing the large central window. I softened it by creating two symmetrical wings to frame the central seat below. When people come to me they expect something unique. I have nothing against industrial design – in fact, it’s given the world some priceless iconic pieces – but you can’t ask someone to spend tens of millions of euro for a yacht and then deprive them of the pleasure of surrounding
themselves with rare and unique pieces. I use exceptional artisans for my objects, bronze workers who’ve worked for the Vatican for generations, carpenters who are expert in restoring Rome’s Baroque buildings and marble masons who use the old Renaissance quarries for their restorations. Rossinavi is a centre of extreme excellence – my first project with them was the 70m yacht Numptia - and I get on very well with Claudio and Federico Rossi. They have shown that it’s possible to build yachts in Italy with German standards and Italian refinement.
The interiors are soft, warm and intimate. All the furniture is made to Salvagni’s design by a select group of artisans. The designer has supervised every detail, from the handles to the porthole (below, left) framed by sinuous curves
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The Shipyard Federico Rossi, Coo Rossinavi
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e are the first to study the influence of Millennials on our sector – we developed Aurora, in fact, with the help of a study by the International University of Monaco (IUM), which predicted that the average age of superyacht owners would drop from 45-55 to 35-45 by 2038. One of the reasons why the pleasure yacht industry is in a healthier state than others is that the number of Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals is growing. There are around 82,000 people around the world with a net worth greater than €50 million, and this figure includes 1,226 billionaires – 480 in the USA and 147 in China. One fifth of the top 100 billionaires are under 50 years of age and on average owners are 10 to 15 years younger than they were 20 years ago. Our ships reflect different ways of sailing but they share an identity, as every owner seeks his or her own adventure. Aurora is unique – De Simoni and Salvagni have been truly excellent. It was a pleasure to develop this design with them, and I enjoyed
interacting with the client. He’s young, which meant most of the decision-making process took place on WhatsApp. We’ve been lucky to see the arrival of this new generation and being only 37 when the initial meetings took place helped me to interact with the new methods of communication. The greatest challenge was speed – everything happened very quickly, from first contact to the final decision. The process of brand repositioning we launched four years ago has enabled us to say that our client profile is linked to the profile of the design they’re buying. For four years we haven’t only been attracting “mature” and expert owners, but also individuals who are intrigued by what we’ve built. At fits clients wanted simply to build “their” boat – now, though, they want us to interpret their ideas, they started to ask for “a Rossinavi yacht”. From a geographical point of view we’re now “fishing” in the American market, which three years ago was in the doldrums because only continental Europe was generating new clients. The strategy to beat the competition is to link our identity as a yacht builder to the family nucleus. Constructing pure custom designs is good because it enables us to invent something new every time, and it’s very stimulating – but very demanding, too. We have quite a few future projects, given that the next delivery will be in 2022!
Rossinavi is known for creating unique yachts. Aurora has two master cabins, one forward on the main deck and one on the upper deck (to side, top) with a private deck and Jacuzzi
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