WHEN DESIGN CREATES EXPERIENCES
Let’s dive into the vision of Simone Micheli, renowned for his iconic designs and passion for all things innovative. To celebrate his studio’s 35th anniversary, join The ONE Yacht & Design as we retrace with the architect a journey through design already projected towards new challenges
by Marta Bernasconi - ph. courtesy by Simone Micheli Architectural Hero
The year 2025 marks an important milestone for the awardwinning Tuscan architect, whose work ranges from master plans to architecture and interiors, from design to visuals and graphics. Our discussion with Simone Micheli, now in his 35th year of activity, represents a personal narrative centred around architecture seen as a holistic discipline in which concrete concepts
cannot be separated from more spiritual considerations. The alchemic elements of creativity that define Micheli’s human and professional history collide. “For me, art and architecture represent a single entity. My family’s artistic influence taught me to see past the surface and to capture the soul of spaces. Light, continuity of matter, fluid and immersive forms are all tools with which I can transmute
Above, the Multi-purpose Building planned for Shanghai. Right, a portrait of the architect. The Studio was established in 1990, while it was in 2003, alongside Roberta Colla, that the design company Simone Micheli Architectural Hero was founded, with offices in Florence, Milan, Puntaldìa, Dubai, Rabat and Busan
Maurizio Marcato
architecture into a work of art. My goal is to create iconic, sustainable, three-dimensional volumes capable of amazing, exciting and leaving an indelible mark on those who inhabit or pass through them.” In Micheli’s work, a peculiar design trait stands out, one that is fluid and organic, generating environments and furnishings without any clear interruptions.
“Everything stems from a search for simplicity, which I consider the true essence of beauty. The challenge is not to create something aesthetically complex, but to achieve a purity of form by eliminating the superfluous. I aim to create fluid continuous spaces, where light, materials and shapes unite to form a symbiosis of harmony and well-being, providing a sensory
experience”. And yet the author of such futuristic projects adds that he recognises a connection to the past: “In my work, projecting ideas forward is essential. However, history and tradition are of fundamental importance since the past shapes and inspires us. For instance, Renaissance architecture and Masaccio’s revolution in linear perspective continue to influence my approach. My design vision stems from a balance between a drive towards the future and an awareness of our roots in the past”. According to Micheli, an architect is much more than just a designer of spaces. They can be more accurately defined as a narrator of experiences, a creative figure capable of translating the complexity of our time into
ph. Jürgen Eheim
ph.
Jürgen Eheim
This page, clockwise: Stone river Villa, Dubai, in progress. Atomic SPA - Le mille bolle blu, Milan. Private Villa, island of Reunion. In all these Simone Micheli projects, a guiding thread emerges: “The real challenge is not to create something complex, but to achieve a purity of form by eliminating the superfluous”. Opposite page, clockwise: Sky Villa in Izmir, Turkey, in progress. Interior design detail of the World Hotel Ripa Roma. Interior of the Lords of Verona Luxury apartments
simplicity: “Architecture must act as a bridge between what is real and our imaginations, while upholding the pillars of contemporary design: sustainability, technological innovation and human well-being”.
For an architect to conceive an ideal interior design when working heavily in the residential and hospitality sectors, a space must have the capacity to welcome, amaze and improve the lives of those who live within it. A key chapter in Micheli’s life is his work in the yachting world, where a deep bond with the sea is reflected in his concept of boats.
“Designing on board is a fascinating challenge as it implies a focus on the relationship between man, space and movement. It means dealing
with a dynamic space, in constant dialogue with an external environment, where light and the perception of nature are changeable. Optimising every centimetre and prioritising comfort and wellbeing are essential for a balanced design, and here the challenges can be many such as having to emphasise the relationship between the exterior and interior through openings, transparencies and material continuity, balancing private and common spaces to ensure an intimate dimension and one that favours social interaction”. Micheli describes his collaboration with Barbara Amerio for Amer Yachts as an extraordinary opportunity to transfer his design vision to one of the yachting industry’s leading names, with
ph. Jürgen Eheim
Above, a home in Florence by architect Simone Micheli. Below, the project Path | Dream | Dine | Delight, 3.7 hectares of pure wellbeing, concept Andrea Bigot, Porto San Vito. Whatever the scale, be it buildings, spaces or furnishings, Simone Micheli’s touch is unmistakable, characterised by a driving search for form and a desire to create immersive welcoming experiences ph.
environments capable of blending luxury with sustainable, essential innovation. In every field of design, the architect’s goal is always to add greater value to human existence, while also paying attention to the environmental impact of any intervention. “One thing I will never stop searching for,” concludes Micheli, “is beauty, because the world is in desperate need of it”.
Jürgen
Eheim
With the Amer 95 for Amer Yachts, Simone Micheli applies his style to the yachting sector providing personal solutions to the challenge of designing spaces on board. Here, the hallmark fluidity of his hand is measured against fundamental themes of yacht design: the optimal use of spaces, the relationship between private and communal spaces, the dialogue between indoors and outdoors. Even the presence of the sea, with its changing lights and boundless horizons, amplifies the possibilities of generating a complete sensory experience through design
