For over eight years, the Azimut Grande 36M (derived from the previous 35M) was an icon. Thanks not only to her stunning exterior lines, but above all to what lay within. Designed by Achille Salvagni, an artist first and a designer second, the interiors served as a manifesto of how art and design can integrate perfectly in a yacht.
Redesigning the model proved a significant challenge. If the exteriors, designed by Alberto Mancini, are an elegant mix of masculine lines and automotive inspiration, as is his style, the interiors were decidedly more complicated.
It fell to Marijana Radovic and Marco Bonelli of m2atelier to find a new stylistic language that would allow the Azimut Grande 36M an identity that would complement rather than oppose that of her predecessor, and project her towards the unwritten future of interior design.
“It is easy to revamp a design with little identity,” explains Marco Bonelli, “but reimagining a yacht designed by Achille Salvagni was a true challenge. We revolutionised the architecture and sought out a language to narrate a new way of experiencing the sea,” he concludes.
Thus, a new vision of living on board was born, coined by the designers themselves as Barefoot Luxury: devoid of formalism, both natural and sophisticated. An invitation to allow oneself to be enveloped in a quiet elegance that never flaunts but suggests, transforming the yacht into a fluid space in rhythm with both the sea and daily life.
As you step aboard, your attention is instantly captured by the Gradient Wall, a backdrop sloping towards its centre, made of hand-pleated Alcantara, showcasing craftsmanship and chromatic finesse, its nuances chasing one another, shimmering beneath shifting light. The wall transcends its function to become the star feature, guide and inspiration of the entire design. Unlike the traditional entrance walls used to display works of art or precious finishes, here the wall is a work of art itself in dialogue with its surroundings, reflecting and absorbing the Azimut Grande 36M identity.
But the Gradient Wall is also a starting point, a subtle fil rouge present throughout the yacht, that of the cusp, an arrow shape of sorts that characterises all the interiors, creating coherence. It could be a coincidence, but the cusp also keenly resembles the Azimut logo.
“We favoured the straight line as the purest expression of elegance and rigour, assigning to the curves the role of transitional elements,” explains Marijana Radovic, who also emphasises that “on board we optimised continuity between spaces by removing or concealing many of the doors normally found on main and upper decks, replacing them, where possible, with staggered panels that dilate spaces and perspectives, providing a sense of harmony.”
This becomes clear in the owner suite, located forward of the main deck. The bed is freestanding, separated from the wardrobes by a low, cusp-shaped headboard-wall that isolates without enclosing. The bathroom also features a cusp-shaped wall hosting the TV, dividing it from the sleeping area and eliminating the need for doors. Small slatted floors also stand out, more sophisticated and intimate than traditional choices.
The lower deck (two doubles and two twins) follows the same language as above. The details are simpler, yet no less refined: the bulkheads’ grain, for example, has been elaborated to create… you guessed it, a cusp.
As for the outer deck ceilings, m2atelier opted for Marine Cork instead of teak, the only sustainable alternative to date to teak. The furniture boasts solutions that enhance shared relaxation. Some pieces are modular (upper deck) and can shift between a conversation area and a sundeck.
Remaining outdoors we find the Infinity Skydeck, the first semi-walkaround upper deck introduced by Azimut and debuting on this very yacht: the deck that runs uninterrupted from stern to bow, offering a level of freedom and continuity never seen before. The retractable side windows further expand the space, transforming the sky lounge and outdoor deck into a single scenic experience.
Harmony and coherence enthral those who step aboard, yet the yacht’s supporting technology is entirely hidden from view. Azimut’s Carbon-Tech generation, of which the Grande 36M is a prime member, has made lighter and more stable yachts possible through the extensive use of carbon fibre, particularly in the rear sections, achieving a 30% reduction in weight and 15% less roll. The D2P Displacement-to-Planing hull also contributes to more efficient sailing, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30%. Such invisible innovations make the onboard experience authentic and the design philosophy consistent: simplicity encompasses complexity.
And perhaps this is precisely the powerful image that best defines Azimut’s new aesthetic course: luxury that sheds its inherent distance, transformed into an intimate experience that accompanies without imposing, a luxury that does not strive to amaze through excess but embraces in harmony. A luxury that belongs to those who love the sea and wish to experience it with genuine passion, surrounded by a design that silently speaks to its elegance.
giuliana fratnik
