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[ CREATIVE MINDS: ZUCCON INTERNATIONAL PROJECT ]
“DESIGN IS NOT JUST ABOUT
APPEARANCE AND PERCEPTION, DESIGN IS ABOUT HOW THINGS WORK” by Samuela Urbini
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hat’s my idea of design? It’s the perfect balance and synthesis of form and function,”
says
architect
Bernardo
Zuccon, who co-heads Zuccon International Project with his sister Martina. Originally opened in Rome in 1976 by the duo’s father Gianni Zuccon and mother Paola Galeazzi, the studio has spread its creative wings across a broad range of sectors but is best known internationally for its nautical work with leading Italian yards of the likes of Ferretti Yachts, Custom Line, CRN and Perini Navi. “But before you even begin talking about design, you need to go back to the starting point of any design experience: man. Man is the creature who will physically live in the space and with the objects that we designers create. At the same time he is the proportional and ergonomic reference point needed to deliver functional balance, which is essential if we are to talk about design.” Heritage, the 45-metre that marks Zuccon’s first collaboration with Picchiotti Yachts, is a clever encapsulation of that world view. The project sprang from “a desire to create a marine ecosystem in which man can do what is the ultimate goal that all yacht designers need to have very clear in their minds: live the sea….” Heritage has generous interior volumes – the main deck has a ceiling height throughout of three metres, underscored by the extensive use of glass, which creates a sense of seamless continuity between interiors and sea. “Aboard, the form-function relationship shifts more
Bernardo Zuccon and his sister Martina are carrying on the creative work started by their father Gianni and mother Paola Galeazzi. The Zuccon International Project studio has a finger in many pies – and sectors – but has earned itself an international reputation for its yachting projects
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
towards functionality,” adds Zuccon. “Because it maintains
the first place.” Heritage is an homage to the greatest designer
and deepens certain volumetric parameters while hailing a
to ever work with Picchiotti, Gerhard Gilgenast, and offers
departure from the form-over-function perspective. Heritage
up a modern take on his signature style. The vessel’s unique
is not a spectacularly beautiful container that imposes her
selling point is her ability to carry a large arsenal of toys; two
limits on man, for the very reason that we started off from the
tenders (one sailing, one motor, both nine metres) and two jet
concept that it is man who creates the boat’s architecture in
skis. This is exactly what many owners are now demanding. Looking to the past, Zuccon has fond memories of the Custom Line Navetta 37, the first yacht that he and his sister Martina penned entirely on their own. Bernardo Zuccon’s design style always has a hybrid feel – he works across stylistic and functional borders that reference not just the nautical world but also the design, architecture and automotive ones. “I am convinced, however, that the most gorgeous designs are always the ones that await us in the future. This is an important moment for me personally and the studio because of the start of our new partnerships with Perini and Sanlorenzo. It is like being at the start of a love affair when everything is wonderful and you’re fired up with enthusiasm. We will be designing small fibreglass and larger metal yachts for Sanlorenzo while with Perini we’ll be doing highly customised large-scale craft.” A glance at a future that will always involve meticulous research, a hugely passionate constant in the architect’s work.
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The new Heritage 45 is the first design to emerge from the new partnership between the Zuccons’ studio and Picchiotti Yachts. Beautifully balancing form and function, its striking interiors offer imposing full-height glazing to create a strong connection with the sea and very high ceilings of three metres. The foredeck is uncluttered to free it up for water toys including a 9-metre motor tender and a sailing craft of the same size. Right, Martina and Bernardo
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