A New Way to Enjoy the Sea The Zuccon International Project has set itself some exciting challenges with the Sanlorenzo yacht line – to open out new vistas and create innovative types of versatile, flexible spaces, with an increasing emphasis on the human dimension and a close relationship with the natural environment by Désirée Sormani - ph. courtesy of ZIP
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Opposite, from left, the owner’s cabin on the Alloy 44 laid out over three levels, a rendering of the BG72 based on the walkaround concept and an exterior view of the Alloy 44. ZIP’s objective is to eliminate architectural barriers and establish a direct relationship between the yacht and the maritime environment.
Z
uccon International Project is one of the world’s most fa-
As a result, Martina and I have undertaken a typological development
mous architecture studios, a centre of excellence in yacht
aiming to identify a new potential method of experiencing the sea. De-
design. Founded in 1972 by Gianni Zuccon (architect, de-
signers have a responsibility to understand how to improve the quality
signer and lecturer at Rome’s La Spaienza university) and
of on-board life, and modern technology helps us handle this concept
his wife Paola Galeazzi, over the ensuing 48 years it has delivered more
by enabling us to make flexible, versatile objects”.
than 100 projects for prestigious yards like Cantiere Posillipo Baglietto,
This typological research began with the SX102A and continued with
Ferretti, Betram, Mochi Craft, Custom Line, CRN and now Sanlorenzo,
the SX76, where barriers were eradicated and the yacht entered into
making important contributions to the history of international yacht
a relationship with the marine surroundings. It continued with the
building. The studio is now helmed by the second generation of the
flagship of the SX line, the SX112, with an entirely open stern and the
Zuccon family, Bernardo and Martina, fresh, creative minds that have
Alloy 44, where the owner’s cabin is the conceptual fulcrum of the de-
assimilated the heritage of their illustrious parents and mixed the family
sign. “Alloy 44 is conceived as a private 145 square metre apartment on
DNA with an innate passion for architecture with a special fascination
three levels with an indoor and outdoor area”, says Martina, “Just like
with new lifestyle settings, drawing on their experience in the residential
a loft on three interconnected levels”. The search for new residential
sector. These qualities proved to be particularly appealing for the San-
formats has also influenced the Bluegames BG line with the new BG72,
lorenzo yard, and in 2016 it launched a stimulating collaboration that
a combination of daycruiser and motoryacht. Its design highlights the
has inspired a number of projects under the Sanlorenzo and Bluegame
importance of the walkaround concept, eliminating all obstacles to
brands, including the first asymmetrical yacht. “I think that for Sanloren-
create a walkway accessing all areas of the yacht with flexible, inter-
zo, the Zuccon International Project is the right blend of tradition, know-
connected exterior and interior spaces. Flexibility is also the dominant
how and innovation, plus the solid base of a studio whose structure is
theme in the new Sanlorenzo Espace 42, a further evolution the process
perfectly capable of handling the volumes Sanlorenzo is generating”,
involving the testing and development of new residential scenarios.
says Bernardo Zuccon. “In my experience in the yacht-building industry
The yacht, in fact, combines the romantic characteristics of a “navetta”
I’ve often noticed that people think that designers limit themselves to
with the solid, robust qualities of an explorer yacht.
modifying the shape of their yachts rather than redesigning their content.
www.zucconinternationalproject.com
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