The winners of the fifth Design Innovation Award were unveiled on the evening of Friday 20th September, in the stunning setting of the historic Palazzo della Borsa, located at the heart of Genoa’s Liberty style city centre. First established in 2020 by the Italian Marine Industry Association – Confindustria Nautica and the company I Saloni Nautici, this prestigious award celebrates excellence in research, innovation, and sustainability across the yachting world. Having quickly become an essential international event, the Award promotes the image of Genoa International Boat Show’s many exhibitors with their latest products, acknowledging designs that express emerging trends and new design frontiers.
An international jury
The award ceremony of the Innovation Design Award, moderated by architect and journalist Silvia Botti, kicked off with an opening address by Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci and Chamber of Commerce Board Member Paolo Corsilia. The microphone was then passed to Saverio Cecchi, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, and Andrea Razeto, President of I Saloni Nautici, who then opened the award ceremony proper. Maria Porro, President of Milan’s Design and Furniture Show, the Salone del Mobile.Milano, and a leading figure on the international design scene, then took the stage.
The jury was composed of: Andrea Ratti – Executive Director MSc. Yacht Design Politecnico di Milano, Andrana Monk, founder of Monk Design, Carlo Cameli, President of the Italian Yacht Club, Franco Michienzi – Editor-in-chief of Barche, Nabil Farhat – Director The World of Yacht, Robin Edman – Designer and former President of the Bureau of European Design Associations and Luisa Bocchietto – Architect, designer and Member of the DIA Steering Committee.
Ten categories were awarded – along with two Special Prizes dedicated to Outstanding Innovation and Career –assigned to designs that were deemed particularly distinctive for their originality, sustainability and social impact.
Design Innovation Award: the winners
SAILING AND MOTOR BOATS UP TO 10m LH- Frauscher 1017GT 2nd Edition by Frauscher Italia – Motivation: Beautifully executed, design refinement, functional aesthetics and balanced proportions.
SAILING BOATS – UP TO 14m – Dufour 44 by Dufour Yachts – Motivation: A bold design statement with a refreshing spacious interior achieved by rebalancing proportions.
SAILING BOATS – OVER 14m – Y8 by YYachts GMBH – Motivation: Sleek elegance inside and out with exquisite attention to detail.
MOTORBOATS – UP TO 14m – Saxdor 340 GTWA by Saxdor Yachts – Motivation: Compact walk-around with lots of functionality and natural light.
MOTORBOATS – OVER 14m – Seadeck 7 by Azimut – Motivation: An electric hybrid yacht embracing sustainable solutions in a new collaborative vision.
HONORABLE MENTION – Swan Arrow by Nautor Swan Srl – An elegant mega tender expanding into a generous terrace with a rich interior.
SUPERYACHTS – OVER 24m – SP92 by Sanlorenzo – Motivation: Another stunning exterior with a grandiose spacious interior.
MULTIHULLS – LAGOON 60 by Lagoon- Motivation: A very purposeful cat with a fluid layout exuding calm and confidence.
BOATING EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS – Mercury Avator 75 & 110 by Mercury Marine – Motivation: An elegant product design indicating the future vision for propulsion.
RIBs – Scanner Envy 1500 by Seascan Marine Srl – Motivation: An unconventional rib disguising a spacious cabin.
HONORABLE MENTION – Ride by Seakeeper – Motivation: Optimal ride adjustment thanks to a revolutionary software and sensor driven stabilisation system.
ONBOARD ELECTRONICS AND SOFTWARE – Alpha Performance by Raymarine Italy – Motivation: Extremely user-friendly graphic display in a sleek envelope.
SPECIAL PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING INNOVATION – MPX Impact by Musto – Motivation: A unique and ground-breaking design which looks beyond conventional solutions. Applying innovative materials and methods for impact protection in extreme sailing conditions.
SPECIAL PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING CAREER – Solaris Yachts – The Steering Committee of the Design Innovation Award has decided to assign the Award for Out- standing Career, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the yard, for the continuous commitment in de- sign and innovation.
Partners of the evening were Roche Bobois, Eberhard & Co., and Genova Gourmet & Bartender.
Emilio Martinelli
