Design Innovation Award winners announced at Genoa International Boat Show

The winners of the fifth Design Innovation Award were unveiled at a gala event at the 64th Genoa International Boat Show, celebrating innovation, design prowess, sustainability and social impact. Established by the the Italian Marine Industry Association – Confindustria Nautica and Saloni Nautici in 2020, this year the jury selected winners from more than 100 applicants and awarded ten categories along with special mentions and an outstanding achievement award.

The awards were held at the historic Palazzo della Borsa in Genoa on Friday 20 September. Sustainability has been a key theme in this year’s Genoa International Boat Show, with the boat show having also hosted the third World Yachting Sustainability Forum earlier in the day.

The award ceremony, moderated by architect and journalist Silvia Botti, commenced with an opening address by Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci and Chamber of Commerce board member Paolo Corsilia. Saverio Cecchi, president of the Italian Marine Industry Association, and Andrea Razeto, president of I Saloni Nautici, also gave opening addresses.

THE WINNERS:

SAILING AND MOTOR BOATS UP TO 10m LH

Frauscher 1017GT 2nd Edition by Frauscher Italia

Comments: Beautifully executed, design refinement, functional aesthetics and balanced proportions.

SAILING BOATS – UP TO 14m

Dufour 44 by Dufour Yachts

Comments: 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

Comments: Compact walk-around with lots of functionality and natural light.

MOTORBOATS – OVER 14m

Seadeck 7 by Azimut

Comments: An electric hybrid yacht embracing sustainable solutions in a new collaborative vision.

HONORABLE MENTION

Swan Arrow by Nautor Swan Srl

Comments: An elegant mega tender expanding into a generous terrace with a rich interior.

SUPERYACHTS – OVER 24m

SP92 by Sanlorenzo

Comments: Another stunning exterior with a grandiose spacious interior.

RIBs

Scanner Envy 1500 by Seascan Marine Srl

Comments: An unconventional rib disguising a spacious cabin.

MULTIHULLS

LAGOON 60 by Lagoon

Comments: A very purposeful cat with a fluid layout exuding calm and confidence.

BOATING EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS

Mercury Avator 75 & 110 by Mercury Marine

Comments: An elegant product design indicating the future vision for propulsion.

HONORABLE MENTION

Ride by Seakeeper

Comments: Optimal ride adjustment thanks to a revolutionary software and sensor driven stabilisation system.

ONBOARD ELECTRONICS AND SOFTWARE

Alpha Performance by Raymarine Italy

Comments: Extremely user-friendly graphic display in a sleek envelope.

SPECIAL PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING INNOVATION

MPX Impact by Musto

Comments: 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

Comments: The steering committee of the Design Innovation Award decided to assign the Award for Outstanding Career, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the yard, for the continuous commitment in design and innovation.

“Chairing the jury of the Design Innovation Award for the second time running is an honour,” says Porro, “It is not just the word ‘salone‘ that connects our two worlds, there are a great deal of points we have in common. But at the same time there are also many differences and specific needs that define the two fields, those of furniture design and yacht design. And it is within these differences that we can grow together. This is why this friendship, between the Salone del Mobile and Salone here in Genoa, is so important. I want to thank all the organisers and the president for this special occasion, and to remind you that the words already mentioned by the speakers before me – quality, research, design, being selective, innovation – are the common goals of two industries that can work very well together, so I am very happy and honoured to be here today. I also want to thank all the members of the jury: they are the ones who actually had to walk all those miles to see all the nominees.” 

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 Yachts, 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. 

Genoa International Boat Show runs to 24 September.

Partners of the evening were Roche Bobois, Eberhard & Co., and Genova Gourmet & Bartender.