Netherlands

Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA)

A new international association for naval architects, exterior and interior designers operating in the superyacht sector has been formally launched, called the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA)</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395084/image/large-ea7330f65bc3a99734a2919387e86bc7.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395084">Launched by Executive Director Clair Rozemeijer, alongside Luca Boldrini, Managing Partner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4308" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="FM Architettura (Company)">FM Architettura</a> and Vice President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a>, the organisation aims to provide greater collective representation for yacht designers and naval architects, an area of the superyacht industry that has historically lacked a unified voice despite significant growth over recent decades.“Associations are founded because individual companies often face similar challenges that they cannot solve entirely on their own, and the association’s role is to create a collective strategy and platform to address those challenges together so that ultimately all members benefit individually from the collaboration,” explained Rozemeijer.The association already counts 12 leading design and naval architecture practices among its membership, including <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design &amp; Naval Architecture</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell Design</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino International</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4308" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="FM Architettura (Company)">FM Architettura</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mulder Design (Company)">Mulder Design</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/65" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nuvolari Lenard (Company)">Nuvolari Lenard</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Philippe Briand Group Ltd. (Company)">Philippe Briand</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/460" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Oossanen Naval Architects (Company)">Van Oossanen Naval Architects</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winch Design (Company)">Winch Design</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuccon International Project (Company)">Zuccon International Project</a>, with qualifying studios invited to join<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395085/image/large-1f495a08cbefdd41f95fcaeceeb15138.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395085">“Together with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a>'s board members and founding members, we explored where meaningful collaboration could exist, not in the areas where companies compete, but in the areas where we can collectively strengthen the profession of yacht designers and naval architects, and positively contribute to the wider industry,” added Rozemeijer.The association will aim to improve professionalism through market research, standard contracts, ethical guidelines and quality standards. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a> also plans to engage more actively with regulatory bodies including the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4531" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="International Maritime Organization (Company)">International Maritime Organization</a> and ISO, while encouraging greater knowledge-sharing among members.Sustainability will also form a core area of focus, as designers and naval architects can play a greater role in supporting the transition towards more sustainable technologies and solutions, including developments linked to Roadmap 2050, in collaboration with the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a>.“The Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) has successfully got the industry’s voice heard before new rules and regulations become a fait accompli,” added Espen Øino, founder and owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino International</a>, and President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395086/image/large-bd4c7ffda795a9ef61a079534321475b.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395086">“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a> allows us to have representation for elements specific to what we do as designers, whether that’s rules and regulations, how we deal with contracts, or other issues on which we will benefit from open discussion. It enables us to speak with one common voice toward authorities, the media, or clients.”The association also aims to strengthen recognition and credibility for member studios while supporting future generations of designers entering the sector. “The creative side of our industry has grown quite organically over many years and we’ve all entered it from different avenues,” said Jim Dixon, Studio Principal of Yachts &amp; Aviation at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winch Design (Company)">Winch Design</a> and board member of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a>. “We all felt it was time for consolidation, unanimity and robustness behind what we do.”To qualify for full membership, studios must have operated for at least 10 years and successfully delivered a minimum of five projects over 30 metres within the past decade, including new builds, major refits or conversions.“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8866" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Design and Naval Architecture Association (SYDNA) (Company)">SYDNA</a> means we can not only bring designers together better, but also enhance our communication, cross-fertilisation and collaboration with shipyards and brokers, and ultimately that helps to grow the industry as a whole,” concluded Boldrini.

SYDNA launches international association for superyacht designers and naval architects

A new international association for naval architects and designers
operating in the superyacht sector has been formally launched.