Ideaeitalia

BLUE FLUO ISSUE • n°38 • 2024

REAL LUXURY IS DISCREET AND IS THE PERCEPTION OF A VALUE YET TO BE DISCOVERED

by Samuela Urbini, ph. courtesy by Ideaeitalia

Alessio Battistini, left, and Davide Bernardini, right, are the founders of Ideaeitalia, an architecture and design studio based in La Spezia, the city where they were born in 1977 and where they grew up. Since 2010 they have completed projects for Italy’s major yachtbuilding brands, including Ferretti Yachts and Wider Yachts

Founded in 2010 in La Spezia, Ideaeitalia is an architecture and design studio founded by Alessio Battistini and Davide Bernardini, two childhood friends whose professional histories initially took very different paths that eventually converged in a shared project that led them to work with some of Italy’s biggest shipyards, including Rodriquez, Bwa, Perini Navi, Tecnomar, Baglietto, Wider Yacht, Sanlorenzo, Nerea Yacht and Ferretti Yachts. Two significant career landmarks were designing the interiors of the 46-metre superyacht Wider 150 and then the Ferretti 1000, the largest yacht ever built by the yard, marking the start of a productive and enduring collaboration with the brand.

Davide was an architecture graduate while Alessio’s background was in automotive design, and they went on to develop a huge depth of professional experience throughout the yacht-building sector, from production to management. Their management experience gave the pair an advantage over other studios because they were able to take the yard’s requirements into account during the creative process. In their own words, “We often feel the influence of old-school car design. Italy has an immense heritage we draw inspiration from. We especially like cars from the Art deco period of 1920s, when furnishing elegance was at a peak, but the inspiration can sometimes arrive from somewhere totally off the wall, from other areas of

tables, or as a bar counter. Bottom, the interior saloon in one of the two Ferretti moods, here the “contemporary”, inspired by marine colours, with extensive use of fabrics and flooring of irregular blocks

design, everyday objects or random experiences. All these stimuli are then rationalised in the detail of a piece of furniture, wall covering or technological solution. Following this initial stage we start to imagine the emotions we want to communicate to the prospective client. Coverings and finishes play an important role in this – we want them to communicate the concepts we hold dear, welcome and naturalness”. This approach was also adopted for the INFYNITO 80, the most recent of Ferretti Yacht’s INFYNITO range, designed with the same general lines as its bigger sister INFYNITO 90 (see the ONE no.37), a solid, robust design with a more modern appeal. It embodies the same concepts of spaciousness and layout versatility with its

Above, the exterior of the INFYNITO 80 by Ferretti Yachts, 23.70 metres long with interiors by Ideaeitalia. Opposite page, top, the distinctive bow space called the All-Season Terrace because it is covered by a superstructure so can be used in all seasons and weathers. Its 13 square metres can be configured as a dinette with extending chairs and

All-Season Terrace, a covered 13 square metre terrace, a distinctive feature of the range, and the opportunity to enjoy an open or semi-enclosed sundeck. Ideaeitalia has designed the interiors of this 23.70-metre yacht, which the designers describe as based on two concepts. “Contrast – between the two wall finishes, light, natural and solid wood, and warm fabric, decorated and with soft, embracing shapes. The irregular blocks on the floors communicate a horizontal fragmentation, balanced by the clean lines and verticality of the motifs on the wall. And harmony, found in the way all the elements communicate with one another, in the proportions and the hierarchy of the materials. A sort of formal coherence and balance that becomes elegance

and luxury”. The selection of natural, sustainable materials is also a crucial element for the INFYNITO range. “The materials can be recyclable or recycled, but if their production itself creates pollution it’s a useless gesture. In our choices we’ve made sure that the production processes are certified and have the lowest possible environmental impact. For example, the products from the companies supplying the recycled leather in the on-board decoration or the teak laminate, virtuous because it means less production waste, guaranteeing a benign material with excellent performance and much-improved opportunities for use compared to traditional materials”. A discreet value awaiting the pleasure of discovery.

Above, the owner’s cabin on the lower deck, also in the “contemporary” Ferretti mood, more modern than the “classic”, where all the angles have been smoothed. Below, left, the owner’s suite bathroom and right, the helm station in a raised position to provide optimum visibility. It is accessed by a staircase in the centre of the main deck