130' Bellissima

BLUE FLUO ISSUE • n°38 • 2024

A 40-metre yacht with sleek, dynamic lines and large spaces and volumes, a challenge successfully met by Riva shipyard and Officina Italiana Design, which handled the interior and exterior design, creating a yacht in contemporary style featuring unique open air areas

by Paola Bertelli - ph. courtesy by Ferretti Group

escribing a 40-metre yacht in one word seems impossible, but the Riva 130’ Bellissima can be summed up in this way – balance. A balance of shapes, style and spaces.

It is the flagship of Riva’s planing flybridge line, and, it comes from the pen of Mauro Micheli of Officina Italiana Design, as has been the practice for thirty years now, in collaboration with the yard.

It’s a striking, elegant presence on the water with its shark grey livery, three distinctive lines defining its profile and personality, unusual dark bands with windows running from bow to stern, receding windshield, moderately angled bow and streamlined hard top. All these give a dynamic appearance to a yacht that skilfully manages its large volumes while retaining sleek, slender lines.

It is a three-deck design, the first planing flybridge model in the range to be laid out in this way. Aesthetic rigour and performance go hand in hand.

The length of 40 metres and beam of almost 8 metres has made available spacious, fluid interior and exterior spaces – the main deck, for example, features a striking aft area. It develops over three levels for a total of 60 square metres, all interconnected, and dedicated to the beach area (with a lower platform on the sea compared to other Riva models and a second on an intermediate level with cockpit) and the cockpit itself, which dialogues with the generous saloon surrounded by windows that project it towards the exterior environment.

The clean, harmonious stylistic philosophy that underpins the exteriors by Officina Italiana Design also appears inside the yacht, and bright, contemporary spaces display a very coherent style created by a handful of finishes throughout - including rosewood, statuary marble, steel, leather, mirrors and lacquered panels – and a colour palette based on a pleasing

contrast of dark and light with plays of reflections helping to expand the spaces.

The main deck saloon is a rarefied, sophisticated space, with two deep white sofas defining the conversation area and introducing the dining area. A two-metre high staircase in the background draws the attention here. The light marble steps lit from below seem to float in the air. The staircase is highlighted in the main interior, separated from it by a glass screen. Pieces selected from collections by Poliform, Cassina and Fiam skilfully complement bespoke furniture pieces, providing a rather domestic atmosphere in a space intended for sailing and the exterior furnishings are by Roda. All creators of skilfully-made, high-quality products – just like Riva.

The owner’s suite forward covers the yacht’s entire width. Large rectangular windows frame the seascape and allow light to fill the cabin, laid out with a lobby/study, dressing and sleeping area with sofa and armchair. An entire wall covered in leather squares serves as a headboard. Situated forward are two heads with walk-though shower in the centre.

The guest area with four VIP cabins and crew quarters with three cabins and a mess are on the lower deck, with the former amidships and the latter in the bows with separate walkways.

Sheltered and covered, the large outdoor dining area on the upper deck communicates with the interior skylounge, a more intimate space than the main deck saloon, with sofas facing the large wall TV. The huge outdoor lounge forward features sofas, tables, sunpad and hydromassage pool. Finally, the sun deck, another convivial open-air setting designed for relaxation, where the lounge covered by the hard top is followed to aft by a terrace with sunpad.

www.riva-yacht.com

Imposing and elegant, the Riva 130’ Bellissima is 40 metres long and has an 8-metre beam. It is laid out over three decks and comes in at under 300 GT. To side, the flybridge lounge with freestanding pieces by Roda. Opening, the main deck saloon with Modrian sofas by Poliform and the coffee table, with structure in glossy rosewood, top in glass and glossy rosewood and sides in sole leather is a custom-made piece by Riva

The cockpit (right) with bar; side table by Roda. The interiors feature an extreme stylistic uniformity.

The main finishes are light rosewood, statuary marble, steel, leathers, mirrors and varnished panels. Top, the upper deck saloon. with Mondrian sofas by Poliform with thin armrests and upholstered in Poliform fabric kushiro Ice color. Opposite page, top, the main deck dining area with Dodge table by Cassina and chairs. Bottom, the scenic stairs to the sleeping area on the lower deck

Exterior Design

Mauro Micheli, Officina Italiana Design

We did not receive a real brief from Riva but rather some guidelines. We were asked to design a boat bigger than the 110’ Dolcevita and with an extra third deck. In practice Bellissima is like a bigger sister, but with a style all of its own. As is our standard practice, we proposed our design to the shipyard, trying to work on volumes and spaces by creating a formal balance of lines, working hard on details for a design that is always elegant and unique.

Bellissima has sporty lines. This is the result of the perfect balance that we always strive for. The yacht has a very important feature: while maintaining generous volumes in every environment, the lines are sleek and slender. It was a challenge for us to keep the important volumes without making it heavy. Bellissima is instantly recognizable, certain aesthetic features help make this boat unique: first and foremost, the slight reverse-angle of the windshield. Then there’s the design of its hull windows, which run like an upwards black pencil stroke deftly drawn along its silvery flank. These cues were introduced on the Riva 48’ Dolceriva: they are perfect also for yachts with bigger dimensions.

Distinctive characteristics aside, Bellissima is definitely a Riva, with the windows emphasizing the profile, the full and empty spaces, the shark colours and the classic stylistic features and distinctive signs that are part of the Riva family feeling, such as the use of steel, leather and mahogany. It is a very pleasant boat overall. We are very happy with the result and how our quest for the perfect balance of lines has been achieved in this model. I think the market also appreciates it - even before it was presented at the fairs, I think the yard had signed sales contracts for seven examples.

Italiana

Catucci,

The Riva 130’ Bellissima is the first planing flybridge in the range laid out over three decks. The emphasis is on the social outdoor areas like the forward lounge with hydromassage pool (below) and the beach club’s two sea terraces aft (opposite page, bottom)

Mauro Micheli (left) and Sergio Beretta (right), the founder of Officina

Design, centre Andrea

exterior designer.

Interior Design

Mauro Micheli, Officina Italiana Design

As with the exterior, we didn’t receive a particular brief for the interior. We usually make two or three proposals to the shipyard and together we choose the style of boat n.1. Then the owners decorate her according to their personal taste.

Bellissima stands out for its wide, fluid spaces, for its elegant lines and the balance of forms that characterizes all Riva yachts. It was created to meet universal tastes, not just for a specific market. The division of the areas is well marked while creating a constant connection between the inside and outside, just like a home.

The main materials we used on board are steel, polished wood and leather. As on board all Rivas, this maintains a strong link with tradition and with the Riva style. We also added touches of exclusivity to avoid monotony without chasing after fashions. The Riva style stands out among them all.

A strong design feature is the staircase that connects the bridges but at the same time creates a unique visual perception. It was a challenge that led to excellent results. The glass that separates it from the dining area but at the same time allows it to be seen and admired contributes a special lightness to the whole. It is constructed in such a way that it does not interfere with the availability of space, as it has not impinged on the cabin layout. It becomes an architectural element in itself, enhancing its function as a link between the decks.

My personal favourite spaces on board? The saloon. It is fresh, bright and elegant. The staircase certainly contributes to this feeling. It provides freshness and character at the same time. The light passing through the steps contributes to the sense of airy brightness. It’s an element that doesn’t enclose you - on the contrary it breaks through the space, contributing to the balance of the lines.

The outdoor dining area (left) on the upper deck is equipped with a Gloster Carver table, with teak top, and varnished steel Harp chairs by Roda. Opposite page, top and bottom lef, the owner’s cabin (in the foreground Stanford armchair by Poliform) is on the main deck; four VIP cabins are on the lower deck. Top, the master bathroom with stattuarietto marble; Tabouret LC9 pouf is by Cassina

The Shipyard

Stefano de Vivo, Chief Commercial Officer of Ferretti Group

Superlative, spacious, innovative and, of course, extremely beautiful – that’s how I’d sum up the Riva 130’ Bellissima. We wanted a flybridge model that was larger than the 110’ Dolcevita, which had generous volumes and sleek lines, with the unmistakeable Riva style but also some unique details. I think we hit the bull’s-eye. Its great strength is undoubtedly its indoor and outdoor spaces.

They’re extensive, designed to provide the maximum in terms of comfort and privacy and give guests the feeling of being in constant contact with the sea.

Keeping the Riva 130’ Bellissima under 300 GT was a real challenge, especially as the yacht has three true decks and is entirely wide-body. We used innovative materials in its build, providing the necessary structural rigidity while keeping weight down. We dedicated more space to living areas, reducing the immersed surface. By using carbon fibre in the first and second order of the superstructure we were able to maintain the yacht’s stability and provide maximum comfort.

The heart of the design has to be the grand marble staircase in the main saloon, linking the three decks. It’s impossible not to be entranced by it – it has a precise architectural function but it’s also a genuine work of art.

The spectacular aft area shows the future of the beach club concept – it has a powerful impact and is extremely functional. Lowered and open to the sea, it comprises a large beach club and generous cockpit. There is a sea-level platform at the stern, preceding the sunpad area. The gangway also serves as an adjustable swim ladder. We can regard the Riva 130’ Bellissima as an exceptional success, and eight have been sold so far. It’s met a favourable response in all markets, including the United States.

The helm station on the upper deck. The yacht is powered by a pair of 2,638 mhp MTUs. It has a top speed of 22.5 knots and 20 knot cruising speed