It has become an unmissable event for the nautical world and for those focused on innovation in the sector. This year, the Design Innovation Award, the international prize promoted by Confindustria Nautica and the Genoa International Boat Show, returned for its sixth edition. The ceremony, hosted in the prestigious setting of Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, unveiled 10 winners, alongside three special awards and two honorable mentions, selected from 100 nominated projects. Over time, the award has solidified its position as an important cultural moment, a showcase of major trends, and a narrative of cutting-edge ideas, highlighting the commitment of designers and manufacturers in creating designs that combine quality, technical innovation, sustainability, and aesthetics. This year’s jury, composed of industry and industrial design experts and international journalists, was chaired by Walter De Silva, one of the most distinguished Italian designers globally recognized in contemporary automotive design, recipient of the Compasso d’Oro for Lifetime Achievement in 2011, and an Ambassador of Italian excellence worldwide.
CATEGORIES, WINNERS, AND MOTIVATIONS
Sailboats, Motorboats, or RIBS (up to 10m LH): A32 Luxury Tender by Cranchi Yachts (Designer: Christian Grande; Naval Architect: Aldo Cranchi)
Motivation: A convincing and meticulously executed solution for a contemporary luxury tender that seamlessly integrates with the shipyard’s construction tradition.
ISailboats (up to 14m LH and over 14m LH): XR41 by X-Yachts
Motivation: The ability to incorporate a level of liveability into a racer, compatible with the demands of lightness and internal flexibility.
Sailboats over 14m LH: Oceanis 52 by Beneteau (Designer: Biscontini Yacht Design, Naval Architect: Nauta Design)
Motivation: Construction quality with innovative interior and deck layout solutions integrated into a mass-produced product.
Motorboats (up to 14m LH): New Pardo 43 by Cantiere del Pardo (Exterior Designer: Nauta Design + Zuccheri Yacht Design; Interior Designer: Nauta Design; Naval Architect: Zuccheri Yacht Design)
Motivation: An undeniable balance between elegance and sportiness, achieved with exceptionally high construction quality.
Motorboats over 14m LH: Ferretti Yachts 800 by Ferretti Group (Exterior Designer: Filippo Salvetti; Interior Designer: Ideaeitalia; Naval Architect: Ing. Piero Ferrari + Engineering Department Ferretti Group)
Motivation: Great aesthetic, design, and executive coherence for a vessel with a strong identity, dedicated to real-world use.
Superyachts (over 24m LH): SL110A by Sanlorenzo (Exterior Designer: Zuccon International; Project / Interior Designer: Lissoni&Partners)
Motivation: Further confirmation of an ability to innovate the distribution of onboard spaces, combined with continuous research into materials and finishes.
Maxi RIBs (over 10m LH): Stradivari 52 by Cantieri Capelli (Designer: Cantieri Capelli Technical Department + Giuseppe Bagnardi BG Design Firm)
Motivation: An excellent combination of liveability and formal quality, accompanied by overall and detailed control.
Multihulls: BGF45 by Bluegame (Designer: Luca Santella + Zuccon International Project; Hull Designer: Bluegame + Caponnetto Hueber)
Motivation: The transfer of cutting-edge technologies to a production product, also featuring interior solutions with unexpected impact.
Accessories and Equipment: IPS Professional Platform by Volvo Group Italia
Motivation: Technical innovation that maximizes efficiency and allows versatility in combining different propulsion types.
Onboard Electronics and Software: Force Pro by Garmin
Motivation: Functional design and an advanced solution for electronic vessel position control.
Honorable Mention: Lancia Aprea 42 by Aprea Yacht and Service (Designer: Victory Design)
Motivation: A reinterpretation of classic lines and skillful use of materials for a vessel with a strong identity.
Honorable Mention: Wauquiez 55 by Wauquiez (Concept: Cyril Ballu; Interior Designer: Roseo Design; Naval Architect: Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group)
Motivation: The development of the Wauquiez tradition towards a long-distance cruiser with contemporary sailing and layout solutions.
Special Awards
Innovation: Say 52 by Say Carbon Yachts (Designer: Karl Wagner + SAY Engineers + Genesis Design)
Motivation: A design with strong emotional impact that integrates form and advanced construction solutions.
Career: Cantieri Navali Codecasa
Motivation: Cantieri Navali Codecasa receives the Special Career Award, celebrating its 200th anniversary since its founding, with particular reference to the continuous evolution of its products, characterized by a perfect balance between tradition and innovation, which has led to admirable examples of construction excellence.
Talent (for high-potential ideas and entrepreneurial paths): Electrifly
Motivation: The startup Electrifly receives the Special Talent Award for developing an innovative engine shaft support solution based on a magnetic levitation system.
