PYRAMID ISSUE • N° 45 • 2026
With its open architecture and uninterrupted dialogue with the sea, this new model of the SX line embodies a modern interpretation of freedom. Sanlorenzo’s largest crossover yacht to date, it offers a calm, connected and expansive way of living on the water
by Bryony Mc Cabe - ph. Federico Cedrone (interiors) and Breed Media (exterior)
n today’s world, defined by relentless communication and digital noise, the idea of true freedom can feel elusive. It is little wonder that so many turn to yachting and the open sea for a rare sense of space and possibility. The SX120 takes that feeling to another level, reimagining the concept as an experience shaped through openness, light and an effortless connection to the water. The largest model ever built within Sanlorenzo’s crossover line, the 37m yacht belongs to a family defined by the dissolution of boundaries. Yet it takes the SX philosophy further still, presenting a living environment in which indoor and outdoor worlds merge into a single, continuous landscape.
The exterior, shaped by Zuccon International Project, expresses this vision with clarity. Long, fluid lines and generous deck surfaces create a profile that feels both athletic and serene. At its heart lies one of the yacht’s defining features: a 40-square-metre beach area that extends to 70 square metres when the side terraces unfold. Here, the sea becomes a natural extension of the yacht, whether guests are lounging at the water’s edge or enjoying the retractable pool, which disappears beneath the sundeck through a discreet lift-and-slide mechanism. The space is adaptable, inviting and remarkably open – an articulation of freedom through design.
A few gentle steps lead from this beach area into a bright and welcoming lounge, where natural light is allowed to permeate without obstruction. This fluid transition is emblematic of the SX120’s interior arrangement, which prioritises visual and physical continuity at every turn. The lower deck continues this theme with four guest cabins, including one that can transform from lounge to cabin depending on how the owners wish to use the space. Everywhere, rooms unfold gradually, linked by softened thresholds and framed views rather than enclosed corridors.
Such spatial generosity is made possible in part by the introduction of Volvo Penta’s new IPS Professional Platform – the first time it has been used aboard a yacht of this scale. The system’s compact footprint liberates valuable internal volume, enabling Sanlorenzo’s designers to craft the expansive aft areas and flexible interiors that define the SX120. Beyond improving fuel efficiency and reducing noise, the propulsion system supports a more holistic sense of comfort, reinforcing the yacht’s guiding principle: that technical innovation and onboard experience should be inseparable.
As guests move upward through the yacht, the architecture becomes progressively lighter and more panoramic. The main saloon, characterised by vast windows and a measured palette, is anchored by a sculptural staircase clad in wood and steel – a signature by Piero Lissoni with Lissoni & Partners, who has designed the interiors of the first SX120. Positioned centrally, it connects the decks through a single, elegant gesture. Aft, the dining area opens on three sides; forward, the full-beam master suite enjoys private access to an outdoor lounge, demonstrating how the SX120 pairs privacy with an ongoing dialogue with the sea.
The upper deck amplifies this feeling further. With a 360-degree view that seems to dissolve the outer envelope of the yacht, the interior can be arranged as a dining room, media lounge or play space depending on the owner’s lifestyle. Outside, an external staircase leads to the sundeck, where the innovative Smart Island seating system creates a quiet, elevated haven. It is a space conceived for introspection as much as leisure, tucked just out of view yet open to the sky.
Throughout the interior, Lissoni’s material language is one of refinement without excess. Ceilings are lined with delicate wooden quills that extend down the walls, creating a sense of architectural continuity; steel-effect verticals introduce a subtle contrast; and a careful alternation of parquet, carpet and ceramic flooring defines each environment with tactile precision. In the master suite, a softly illuminated headboard acts as a decorative screen, providing intimacy without closing the space.
The SX120 represents a mature expression of the crossover concept, born from the belief that freedom is experienced through openness, movement and the connection between yacht and sea. www.sanlorenzoyacht.com
This page, the SX120 is distinguished by sleek, sporty lines and wide onboard spaces, in constant dialogue with the external environment. Opposite, a forward terrace can be accessed directly from the master suite. Opening page, a sculptural wooden staircase clad in steel bears the unmistakable signature of Piero Lissoni. (Extra Soft couch Morris by Living
Divani, stool Tabouret Meribel by Cassina)
This page, the ceilings throughout the yacht are punctuated by refined wooden quills, a series of dense cusps that continue vertically along the walls, creating an architectural effect of continuity and depth. Opposite page top, the vast main saloon is enveloped in natural light thanks to the large windows (Knoll Womb Chairs and Knoll Grasshopper Triple Coffee table). The upper deck is designed with great flexibility to become a dining area (Donzelletta chairs by De Padova), media room or playroom with a 360-degree view of the horizon
Bernardo e Martina Zuccon, Zuccon International Project
This picture, the organic lines, inspired by marine mammals, give the yacht a soft, natural attitude. Opposite page: above, Zuccon has creatively integrated a sun deck without altering the purity of the lines; below, the transformable beach area with concealed pool, made possible by freeing up space beneath the deck with the new IPS40 propulsion platform
The SX120 project stems from a process of both formal and typological synthesis. The starting point was a deep respect for the SX identity. Several iconic elements have been preserved: the counter-inclined windscreen, the hull shape, the completely open aft section, and the characteristic volumetric balance of the SX skyline. At the same time, we introduced a measured evolution. Cleaner lines, greater harmony, and complexity managed through simplicity. The most significant typological leap concerns the creation of a total connection between the decks. The SX120’s interior staircase is the heart of the project – a unique vertical distribution system that links all decks in sequence. It is both a structural and architectural element, almost a dynamic device that binds the entire organism of the yacht together. Our intention was to bring the SX family to a new typological level by introducing an additional deck – the sun deck – while ensuring that the internal connection remained fluid, continuous and natural, and that this new function would remain fully integrated within an unaltered skyline. A second major innovation, enabled by the new IPS Professional Platform, is the transformable beach area with a concealed pool, made possible by freeing up the space beneath the deck. It is a technically complex solution, but one that significantly elevates the onboard experience. I like to imagine the SX120’s exterior design as a harmonious melody – a gentle presence that accompanies, without ever overpowering, the life that unfolds on board. The organic lines, almost inspired by marine mammals, give the yacht a soft, natural and welcoming attitude. The goal was never to impose an architectural gesture, but to create an elegant and discreet frame – one that enhances the spaces, the surrounding seascape and the owner’s experience.
©Veronica Gaido
Interior Design
Piero Lissoni with Lissoni & Partners
The SX120 is the latest addition to the SX family, which I think is the most creative range in living memory in yachting in the last 30 years. The SX120 is a spectacular floating architecture. We took all the things the other SXs taught us and put them here. It has beaches, floors that interconnect, big openings – a real floating villa in the body of an extraordinary project.
The general idea was to have three cabins on the lower deck with the addition of a transformable cabin, and to place the owner’s cabin at the bow of the main deck. In general, we followed the layout principles of the other SX models we have already designed, while trying to introduce a sculptural staircase that would connect all the decks. The sculptural staircase is the central element with a strong visual impact. Being in a central position, it connects all the decks and can be seen from all the main salons. For the staircase cladding and some walls, we used a plastic film (3M) that mimics metal. It is the same process used for car wrapping. Besides being easy to repair, it also provides lightness. Throughout the yacht, the ceilings are made with wooden cannetté, a series of very closely spaced ribs that extend down onto some of the walls, helping to elegantly conceal the technical and ventilation components. The flooring alternates between parquet and carpet, while the bathrooms feature ceramic surfaces with a marble effect. Darker tones were chosen for the owner’s cabin, which is also characterised by a higher ceiling. The backlit headboard has been designed like a folding screen, serving the purpose of separating the wardrobe area from the sleeping area to provide greater privacy.
Below, a marble-effect ceramic material was chosen in the bathrooms, combining aesthetics and functionality (AL/GARDEN faucet by Fantini). Opposite top, Darker tones were used in the forward master suite, which is also characterised by a higher ceiling. The backlit headboard has been designed to separate the wardrobe area from the sleeping area. Opposite bottom, the main deck aft houses a dining area open on three sides, which can accommodate up to 14 guests (armchairs Café by Living Divani)
At 120ft and 270GT, the SX120 is the largest yacht ever built within the SX family, representing a significant step forward in the brand’s crossover philosophy, which blends the soul of a classic flybridge motoryacht with the adventurous spirit of explorer vessels
Shipyard
Tommaso Vincenzi, CEO of Sanlorenzo
Amajor source of inspiration for SX120 was the opportunity to integrate cutting-edge technology that would open the door to new design and performance possibilities. As the first superyacht ever equipped with Volvo Penta’s new IPS Professional Platform, a compact, efficient system designed for the modular integration of both traditional and alternative energy sources, the SX120 leverages innovative POD propulsion to improve performance, autonomy and onboard comfort, while enabling unique design solutions even at this scale.
A fundamental goal was to achieve a perfect conceptual and formal balance between exterior and interior spaces. This is why the collaboration with Zuccon International Project and Lissoni & Partners once again played a central role: their signature is a symbol of elegance and design mastery, capable of enhancing the yacht’s potential through an approach that is both essential and sophisticated.
Another fundamental objective was the complete rethinking of onboard spaces. Articulated across four decks, the SX120 introduces a new volumetric distribution with shifted volumes toward the bow, allowing the creation of a generous aft cockpit dedicated entirely to bathing and outdoor enjoyment. This reconfiguration represents the tangible outcome of a deliberate technological and design evolution aimed at redefining contemporary yachting standards.
The brief for the SX120 focused on expressing the full maturity of the SX concept, after the success of previous models such as the SX88, SX76, SX112 and SX100, by creating a yacht that not only extends the range but brings forward its own identity, innovative features, and a fresh vision of life on board. This model, while differing in size and capacity, embodies the same spirit that defines the entire SX range and has been highly appreciated by yachtsmen.
