Meet the Designers: A meeting between boating and design leads to creation of a unique style, the Riva style. Officina Italiana Design is the design studio to which the unmistakable style of Riva yachts has been exclusively entrusted, for both the interiors and exteriors, marking new stages in the history of international nautical design. The studio was founded by Mauro Micheli in 1994, who studied at the Artistic Lyceum in Bergamo and subsequently at the Fine Arts Academy in Milan, and Sergio Beretta, who has a degree in economy and commerce and an avowed passion for design and contemporary art. For Mauro Micheli, who had been working at Riva since 1984 after having won a place as assistant designer in the shipyard’s technical office at the age of 25, establishment of Officina Italiana Design marked the continuation of a working relationship which has lasted almost continuously for over twenty years. “Working for a shipyard like Riva”, says Micheli today, “is a huge daily challenge. It means working to the very highest standards of quality, in terms of both manpower and the materials used, and dealing with the extremely high expectations of a continuously evolving industry and a traditionally exacting clientele”. With the Ferretti Group’s purchase of Riva in May 2000, not only did a new stage of expansion begin for Officina Italiana Design, but also a season packed with prospects for the studio, which represents a considerable part of the shipyard’s historical memory and its recent tradition. In Micheli’s words: “We are not keen on ‘showy’ yachts’ with mere virtuosity of form. Neither do we indulge in gratuitous connotations with an obvious impact. We love a classical, essential, clean design style, where the keyword is ‘remove’ not ‘add’. Our aim is to achieve the essence of a unique, unmistakable style, where innovation meets and develops in harmony with a tradition which has become legendary.” Today, clean and essential lines, sophistication and originality, exclusive design and unique style define Riva. This balanced synthesis between elegance and innovation mark new steps in the history of international boating design as Riva continues its path in building boats nobody else possibly could.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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