From materials research to the transformation of spaces, yacht design is undergoing a period of profound change. At Cersaie, Top Yacht Design places this theme at the heart of a discussion with Veronica Yien of SY Design and Francesca Burdisso of BurdissoCapponi Yachts&Design. A dialogue to understand what role ceramics might play in the future of living at sea.
In recent years, yacht design has undergone a transformation. Not so much because fundamental aspects such as performance, naval architecture, layout and optimisation of space have been neglected, but rather because a new sensibility has been introduced alongside them. The focus of the design is increasingly on the experience of those who live on the boat. The contemporary yacht has become a place to live in, even before it is a vessel for sailing.
An architecture in motion in which comfort, wellbeing, the relationship with the environment and sensory quality all contribute to defining the design. It is precisely this evolution that has progressively brought the world of yachting closer to that of architecture and interior design, fostering a process of cross-fertilisation that has opened the doors to design languages, solutions and, above all, materials that were once scarcely imaginable on board. It is in this transition that materials take on a decisive role. No longer merely an element used to cover a surface, but an integral part of the design concept. Tactility, colour, texture, and the ability to reflect or absorb light become tools through which to create atmospheres and define the character of a space. Among the materials at the forefront of this transformation, ceramics occupy a particularly interesting position.
Long associated, even on board, primarily with bathrooms and surfaces requiring specific characteristics of durability and ease of maintenance, in recent years it has progressively broadened its scope. The evolution of production processes, the availability of large formats and increasingly thin thicknesses, together with the extraordinary variety of finishes, textures and expressive possibilities, have transformed ceramics into a true design surface. The result is a material capable of complementing wood, metal, glass, fabrics and natural stone and, above all, of being used in settings from which, until a few years ago, it would have been excluded.
This is a particularly significant development in the world of yacht design, where every choice must meet far stricter requirements than in land-based architecture: weight, thickness, installation systems, vibrations, durability, maintenance and performance in a marine environment. It is precisely at the intersection of expressive potential and technical constraints that one of the most interesting areas of research is now opening up. How far can ceramics go on board a yacht? What limits still need to be overcome? And, above all, can the relationship between the ceramics industry and yacht designers become even closer, leading to the development of products and solutions designed specifically for the needs of the nautical sector?
These will be some of the key themes at the heart of the event that Top Yacht Design will be hosting at Cersaie in Bologna, one of the leading international showcases for the world of surfaces, architecture and design. This is a particularly significant setting in which to address the topic. Because viewing ceramics from the perspective of yacht design means bringing together two worlds united by continuous research into materials, yet characterised by profoundly different requirements and design processes. And it is precisely from this comparison that new opportunities can arise.
The discussion will feature Veronica Yien of SY Design and Francesca Burdisso of BurdissoCapponi Yachts&Design, leading figures from two firms whose projects have helped introduce new interpretations of the language of yacht design. These two distinct perspectives will allow us to examine the topic not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but above all through the eyes of those who grapple with the design process on a daily basis.
The discussion will begin with the evolution of yacht interiors, moving on to the choice of materials, the relationship with owners and shipyards, the search for new surfaces, and the challenges involved in introducing solutions from the world of architecture on board. Because innovation does not simply mean using a new material. It means understanding its characteristics, adapting it to a different context and, where necessary, working alongside the industry to ensure it meets needs that had not previously been taken into account.
From this perspective, ceramics become almost a case study through which to interpret a much broader phenomenon: the gradual blurring of boundaries between yacht design, architecture, interior design and product design. Cersaie therefore represents the ideal venue for bringing these worlds together. It is not merely a showcase for products and surfaces, but a privileged vantage point from which to observe the directions contemporary design is taking, and a meeting point between industry and design culture.
For this reason, the talk organised by Top Yacht Design and moderated by Matteo Zaccagnino, Editor-in-Chief, is intended as an event aimed not only at professionals in the yachting sector.
Designers, architects, companies, industry professionals and specialists will find in this discussion useful insights for understanding the needs and opportunities of an extremely specialised sector. At the same time, the event also aims to appeal to those who view yacht design with curiosity and harbour a desire to engage professionally with this world. Becoming involved in a yacht design project means, in fact, engaging with an extraordinary concentration of expertise.
Architecture, engineering, craftsmanship, technology, materials research and a culture of detail all coexist within a single object. Understanding how this works means realising just how much the final result is the product of a collective effort and how innovation increasingly stems from dialogue between different disciplines.
It is also to broaden this opportunity for discussion that the Cersaie event will be streamed live. The stream will be accessible by clicking on https://www.cersaie.it/it/k_cafe_della_stampa.php, allowing those unable to attend in Bologna to take part in the talk. It is a way of broadening the audience and, above all, of sharing reflections on the future of design.
Because asking what role ceramics might play on board ultimately means posing an even broader question: which materials will define the yachts of tomorrow? The answer will not depend solely on their beauty or performance. It will depend on the ability of designers, shipyards and the industry to work together, overcoming boundaries that until recently seemed insurmountable. And it is precisely from this convergence of different worlds that a new vision of life at sea could take shape.
Matteo Zaccagnino
