Simone Pessina

What drew you to yacht design?
I intentionally chose to study architecture to build a solid and rigorous foundation, viewing it as the prerequisite for my ultimate goal: yacht design. I see this industry as the absolute pinnacle of design, where we have the privilege of creating dynamic masterpieces. What profoundly fascinates me is the concept of the yacht as a 'non-place.' Unlike a magnificent villa that remains static, bound to the exact coordinates where it was conceived, a yacht is defined by its inherent freedom to move and shift environments. This constant potential for movement deeply resonates with who I am. I thrive on shifting horizons, always seeking new challenges, new environments, and new sensations. I was drawn to this field because a yacht shares this same restless spirit. I did not just want to shape a beautiful space; I wanted to design something that embodies the way I envision my own journey through life.

Which designers/yachts inspire your craft?
I am fascinated by the intersection between a pure, rugged explorer built for extreme conditions, and the elegance of a classic luxury yacht designed for serene destinations. Designs that are decisive, fierce, and immaculately proportioned vessels with a confident, commanding presence on the water. To define my direction, I constantly perform market research, analysing the professionals and studios already operating in this space. I study their solutions to understand how they master such complexity, and I use that knowledge as a foundation to develop my own vision. This is the exact process that drives my work. My goal is to create a bold, geometric exterior that serves as a sophisticated shell for an uninterrupted, immersive living experience. My ultimate objective is the architectural resolution of this tension: wrapping a refined, high-end lifestyle inside a true voyager aesthetic.

How would you like to see yacht design evolve?
Environmental sustainability and Net Zero impact have become the foundational requirements for any modern project. They represent the technical baseline from which every new design process now begins. Beyond the technicalities, I would like to see the industry evolve toward an even deeper focus on the human experience. While aesthetics will always be essential, the real evolution lies in designing platforms for irreplaceable memories. I envision a shift where the architecture of the vessel subtly facilitates a lifestyle that is impossible on land. The ultimate luxury is not just owning an iconic piece of design, but the unfiltered connection with the environment and the quality of time spent on board. I hope to see an industry where the bold soul of a yacht is used as a sophisticated tool to enable these journeys, placing the lived experience at the very heart of the process.