Italy

Fabbri Service srl

A visit to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> headquarters in Turin reveals more about its yacht design projects, from the<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/52585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco reveals KAIROS: the next generation of yachting (2021-03-23 14:00:00 +0100)">&nbsp;radical Kairos concept for Oceanco</a> to the restyled production range for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a>.“Italian style means a sense of proportion, simplicity and harmony of lines, such that after a considerable time there is still something which is more alive than just a memory of beauty,” said Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, founder of the eponymous Italian design house. Best known for its work with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> has arguably created more beautiful cars than any other design firm. Visiting its vast headquarters just outside Turin is a revelation; part research laboratory and part automotive museum, it is the nerve centre for a broad spectrum of design disciplines, from transport and architecture to consumer electronics, home furniture and yacht design.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210196/image/large-b7b4ffa491ce61fe18c4e090709392f6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210196">The company’s involvement in the yachting sector dates back to the 1960s but took off with projects such as the Beneteau 45F5, which introduced a new aesthetic to sailboat design in 1990; <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7764" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Destriero67.7m (222'1&quot;)Fincantieri Yachts1991">Destriero</a>, the record-breaking motor yacht launched by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/295" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fincantieri Yachts (Company)">Fincantieri</a> in 1991; the Primatist G46 Aerotop sports cruiser for Bruno Abbate; and the super-fast but minimalist Magnum 80 in 2008.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/45430/image/large-570ccdbf09398bd8531b8ea44bd323e5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/45430">“Over the last few years we’ve refocused our activities in the nautical sector and developed a consistent design language to strengthen the brand, build recognition in the market and enhance product positioning,” says Daniele Mazzon, Chief Transportation Designer at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a>. “What hasn’t changed is the design DNA based on elegance, purity and innovation that runs through all our projects, whatever the discipline.”This new creative phase began in 2015 with the Ottantacinque concept for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/295" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fincantieri Yachts (Company)">Fincantieri</a>, an 85-metre motor yacht that coincided with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a>’s 85th anniversary and reunited the builder and designer after <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7764" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Destriero67.7m (222'1&quot;)Fincantieri Yachts1991">Destriero</a>. It was followed up with the 70-metre Aurea&nbsp;concept for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1080" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rossinavi (Company)">Rossinavi</a> named after the sectio aurea or Golden Section, the mathematical formula that describes the pleasing proportions found in nature and architecture. The 30-metre WallyCento <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tango30.48m (100'0&quot;)Persico Marine2017">Tango</a>, launched in the same year, sported a sophisticated yet ultra-lightweight interior by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a>, and the fluid exterior lines of Aurea were repeated in the Super Sport 65, another collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1080" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rossinavi (Company)">Rossinavi</a> in 2019. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8400/image/large-cefa033687f88d126ba9b49581bd51d7.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8400">But the design language developed by Mazzon and his team attained another level of maturity with two of their most recent projects. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/52585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco reveals KAIROS: the next generation of yachting (2021-03-23 14:00:00 +0100)">The 90-metre Kairos concept for Oceanco</a> and the 35-foot R35 sports boat for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> may be at opposite ends of the size range, but they represent an ability to respond to very different briefs that only comes with decades of interdisciplinary creative experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193223/image/large-6bc85a3d09df455c3e9500bc15570b12.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193223"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/190530/image/large-6ffabc55cad2c4fab14efcc336df057e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/190530">“The brief from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> was for a superyacht of 90 metres in length, but under 2,000 gross tons, aimed at younger owners that may prefer to use their yacht in fixed locations rather than for moving around a lot,” says Mazzon. “It’s basically a huge dayboat and this new lifestyle at sea meant we could take a fresh look at both the exterior design and interior layout.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193148/image/large-ada3d9e0fb03f7d3a9284bf81ab56c8c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193148"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> has called Kairos “a change in the design paradigm” and its innovative nature is apparent from the asymmetrical deck arrangement and open spaces when viewed from overhead. This is partly a consequence of the volumetric requirements, but it also provides surprising outboard perspectives and inboard lighting angles. More radical is the interior layout that does away with convention completely.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/206883/image/large-f8192abef3fccaa3816efd10fb89b2dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/206883">“Most large yachts have the master stateroom and VIP suites on the main deck or higher, but we’ve put all the guest accommodation on the lower deck,” explains Mazzon. “In fact, we don’t have just one owner’s suite but several with opening waterside balconies. There’s also a show kitchen on the main deck and everything is arranged around a central ‘piazza’. We basically turned the traditional layout on its head, which was possible because the electric hybrid propulsion system is housed on the under-lower deck.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210190/image/large-06ddae37152ab418244b029bf84fcb07.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210190">The collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a> began in 2017 with the elegantly agile R35 runabout. Since then it has expanded to other models, new and existing, lending the British brand a fresh design identity in the process. By teaming up with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> and Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) Technologies, the foiling, full-carbon R35 represented a bold departure for Princess as it stepped into new market territory. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210191/image/large-faf9405d10a5acd413ac322f9cb0672d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210191">“The R35 was developed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> in great secrecy because they wanted to surprise the market, which is why the prototype was heavily disguised with dazzle camouflage,” says Mazzon. “We felt very much at home with the project because at this size the design similarities between performance cars and fast boats are much more apparent.”Aerodynamic as well as hydrodynamic efficiency was essential, so the graceful windshield design was tested in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a>’s own wind tunnel facility and the sculpted vents in the stern act like NACA air intakes on a sports car to draw exhaust fumes away from the cockpit. Following the lead of some high-end performance carmakers, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> also offers owners a familiarisation course prior to delivery. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210192/image/large-ff79ebc8ea5ccadd33f06b77e685274a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210192">“Something we’ve imported from the automotive world into our yacht projects is 360-degree vision that considers the object from all angles,” says Mazzon. “So the hardtop on the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> Y95 flybridge model, for example, has been designed to look good not just from the outside, but also when you’re standing under it. That’s not something you always see on production yachts.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210187/image/large-ec81561521a7292ef404aad8cb210535.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210187">At the Venice Boat Show in May, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> announced a new refitting division aimed at clients looking to rejuvenate or customise historic tenders and yachts. Its first project due for completion early next year is 28-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mazal28.04m (91'12&quot;)Benetti SpA1977">Mazal</a>, a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> motor yacht launched in 1977, which is being refitted in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VZ Yachts (Company)">VZ Yacht.</a> Apart from a complete interior makeover, the bulwarks have been raised to create a forward cockpit for the private use of the owner, the aft section has been lengthened and the transom angle reversed to lend the vessel a more contemporary look, an exterior staircase and composite hardtop have been added to the sundeck, and the radar mast redesigned<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197137/image/large-c76d39c85ccba54581c97eae12a69de0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197137">And as if the Italian design house did not have enough new projects on the go, it has also launched a service devoted to helm station design, a specialisation with evident links to automotive dashboards. At the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show (Company)">Monaco Yacht Show</a>, it introduced a helm station concept with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VARD Group AS (Company)">VARD</a> Electro aimed at semi and full custom superyacht projects that draws on its competences in human-centric design. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> also unveiled a fast race boat project with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4656" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persico Marine (Company)">Persico Marine</a> and a design collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3831" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fabbri Service srl (Company)">Fabbri Fiore</a> to develop a new series of portholes for yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210189/image/large-a368f527da053acb804742daa9e2f0b8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210189">At the 2022 Dusseldorf Boat Show, Elan will display its new top-of-the-range E6 sailing yacht developed in conjunction with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/879" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Humphreys Yacht Design (Company)">Humphreys Yacht Design</a> and Gurit. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> has designed both the exterior and interior to create a sailboat that combines functionality with racing appeal and takes Elan’s design language into the future.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210197/image/large-3c9b5d8b35377c2421139f493234c16e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210197">At the end of my visit I was treated to a virtual tour of the Teorema, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a>’s fully autonomous, electric hypercar concept developed entirely using Virtual Reality. Donning a VR headset inside a showroom usually used to present real-life prototypes, I was able to walk around the car and peek inside at the futuristic interior (instead of standard doors, the roof can be raised and passengers walk inside). There is little chance the Teorema will ever go into production. Instead, it highlights the sophisticated approach to transport design <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4640" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pininfarina (Company)">Pininfarina</a> intends taking in the near future.This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/news/superyacht-times-newspaper-issue-39" target="_blank">Issue 39 of SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>. To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

SYT visits Pininfarina design at the studio

SYT's Justin Ratcliffe heads to Turin to discover the secrets behind Studio Pininfarina's success.