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MY WORLD IS MADE UP OF SIMPLE THINGS by Désirée Sormani - pictures by courtesy of Lissoni Associati
© Désirée Sormani
The One Yacht and Design meets one of the hottest Italian architects on the scene right now. He turns his hand as easily to furniture, accessories, resorts and villas, including those of the floating variety. Bringing a signature elegance and sublime rigour to each and every one
61-year-old Piero co-founded Lissoni Associati with Nicoletta Canesi in 1986 and then Graph.X a decade later. More than 70 people are employed in the two studios which provide a 360-degree design service for an incredibly diverse range of projects
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“I
find it very hard to think of myself as a designer. Some
and Hotel Park in Croatia (which will be completed in 2018). Also
people have said I am a minimalist. But I have never really
in there are designs for brands of the likes of Alessi, Boffi, B&B
understood what that world is. That said, I don’t find it
Italia, Cappellini, Cassina, Fantini, Flos, Glas Italia, Kartell Knoll,
offensive to be called a minimalist either, all things considered. I
Lema, Living Divani, Porro... They do it all in this powerhouse
would say, however, that I feel closer to an idea of simplicity than
of a place: interiors, skyscrapers, resorts, fashion and cosmetics,
minimalism per se.”
fit-outs for exhibitions and stores. They also do villas – including
Shrewd and eclectic, Italian designer Piero Lissoni knows where he
the floating variety. Lissoni’s third yacht was unveiled at the recent
stands. After exactly 10 years, we return to the headquarters of one
Cannes Yachting Festival – the first two having been Ghost, a
of the most versatile and multi-talented architects on the design
37-metre sailing yacht built by Vitters in 2005 and the 50-metre
scene. His studio is in the very heart of Milan – the arty Brera
explorer vessel, Tribù, built for Luciano Benetton by Mondomarine
district, to be precise. It is big and perfectly mirrors his design
in 2007. The Sanlorenzo SX88 is a Crossover which, on its debut,
philosophy: lots of white, lots of technology and very functional.
immediately picked up the Most Innovative Yacht title at the World
The studio is spread over three floors with lines of drawing tables
Yacht Trophies 2017. Piero Lissoni designed the radical interiors
and computers breaking up the space. There’s even a prototype-
which completely reinterpreted the whole concept of interior yacht
making room as well as a magnificent terrace overrun by fragrant
space by producing a single continuous environment that runs
jasmine. Around 60 architects are busy at work and Lissoni is too,
from stern to stem and includes an open galley, dining area and
flanked by the loyal Samy, one of his three Golden Retrievers.
saloon. Up on the fly is the helm station, large cockpits that feel
This is where styles are developed, trends are set, where tastes
like terraces on the two decks, and then all the guest cabins below.
and fashions are catered to. Every project has its time. And right
“These ‘houses that float’, these buildings that move, actually
now it is the time of the Oberoi Resort Al Zorah and Casa Fantini
have all the same rules as a stationary building. They just have a
on Lake Orta, both just opened, Roomers Hotel at Baden-Baden,
few extra problems as well. I have always wondered why the same
A sketch of the SX88 singular interior lay out and, right, staircase made by Piero Lissoni
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These shots, the SX 88 Sanlorenzo, with the exterior by Officina Italiana Design and interior bu Piero Lissoni, is the first yacht to feature open-plan loft-like interiors. The lounge features a large Boffi galley. All furnishings are freestanding. Handpicked from leading Italian designer brands, they include some iconic pieces
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Above, the Millennials coffee-maker for Illycaffé, right, the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam; below, the Aquatrium concept for a New York’s aquarium. Opposite,: the Celeste mirror for Glas Italia; below, the Cube armchair for Cassina and the Porro Ferro table
simplicity couldn’t be applied to a building that moves as one
last decade. Since he designed the interiors of Tribù and is also a
that is still. When we began talking with Sanlorenzo, I thought
self-confessed Sunday sailor with no time whatsoever for the showy,
why not design something simple but with a pinch of elegance
vulgar side of the nautical world. “You learn a lot in 10 years... I’ve
inside a building that moves. I thought of an open space with a
become more delicate, less fundamentalist. I’ve learned to treat
simple elegance to it that would offer guests the opportunity of
architecture a bit more kindly and now know that spaces don’t have
being in contact with the world around them. And what could be
to be as extreme as I thought a decade ago. I’ve learned to pick and
more natural than water, sea and light? Sanlorenzo gave me the
choose and to do so with greater precision. The reason I chose to
opportunity and so here we are.”
do a boat for Sanlorenzo now is because they are excellent to deal
Because everything changes and nothing stays the same, we
with: because neither party imposes on the other, there is genuine
couldn’t help but ask the architect what has changed over the
dialogue between an entrepreneur who wants to take certain risks
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and an architect who, in his turn, is keen to take them. If I had to tell you how the Sanlorenzo project came about, I’d start with the idea of an owner, Massimo Perotti. I like that link and if I were to talk about the project itself, I’d talk about sharing and a great and very deep dialogue.” And that is just as true for homes, sofas and boats alike.
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