Vitruvius Yacht Design opens Italian office

London-based superyacht design firm Vitruvius Yacht Design has established a new subsidiary in Italy to strengthen its presence within the Italian yachting sector.
The firm says its expansion to Italy is intended to enhance engagement with shipyards and industry professionals while providing specialised design services tailored to the region’s requirements.
Vitruvius says the new office will function as a dedicated centre for yacht design, offering technical expertise and support throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial design to completion. The Italian team consists of designers and project managers with experience in yacht design and construction, drawing on the resources of the company’s wider structure, which includes offices in the UK and France.
Vitruvius is known for its custom exterior design and naval architecture design service. In 2023, Vitruvius hit the headlines after revealing details of its ‘confidential’ design for the Royal Yacht Britannia — a British national flagship that was scrapped after being dubbed a “vanity project” of former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Vitruvius’s senior yacht designer and coordinator, Michele Baccetti, will lead the team.
Speaking to MIN, Baccetti explains why the firm has turned its attention to Italy. “We are yacht designers; this is our business,” he says. “Today, with the opening of offices in Italy, we can do this on an even more global scale. Moreover, having a direct presence in the country that builds the most yachts in the world allows us to offer our Italian clients — being yacht owners or yacht builders — a more timely and structured service, especially during the construction phases during which we can provide better assistance and support.”
“We’re very excited about this opening. We have to our credit collaborations with major Italian companies,” he adds. “Today, we aim to serve this market even better. Our intention is to provide increasingly dedicated services to yacht builders, supporting their technical offices and offering their design centres the expertise of a group with extensive experience in both sailing and motor yachts, particularly in constructions using both metal and composite materials.”
The firm has a history of partnerships with Italian firms. “When we started Vitruvius Yacht Design activities, the very first projects were realised in Italy by Perini Navi under the Picchiotti brand (MY Exuma 50m, MY Galileo G 55m, MY Grace E 73m),” Baccetti tells MIN. “We also collaborated with Rossi Navi for the 65m MY Alchemy, and presently, there is a 52m yacht under construction at Tankoa Yachts in Genoa.
“We are thrilled to open the Italian offices of Vitruvius Yacht Design, which represents our dedication to innovation and excellence in yacht design tailored to the specific needs of the Italian market,” says Philippe Briand, founder of Vitruvius Yachts. “Italy has a profound heritage in yachting, and we look forward to contributing to and growing within this inspiring environment.
“The Italian branch of Vitruvius Yacht Design was created to better serve the Italian industry with a team dedicated to providing services and assistance throughout the entire project lifecycle, from the design phase to completion. The Italian team is composed of talented designers and project managers with deep expertise in yacht design and construction, benefiting from the skills and knowledge of our entire company structure, which includes offices in the UK and France.”
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