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[ CREATIVE MINDS: LUCA DINI DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE ]
Luca Dini founded his studio in Florence in 1996, and leads a team of over fifty people creating superyacht interiors and exteriors for the major Italian and international yards, such as Admiral, Benetti and Heesen, as well as futuristic architectural projects
by Désirée Sormani
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CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE. FROM SEA TO LAND AND BACK. OUR APPROACH REMAINS UNCHANGED, ALWAYS PUSHING THE LIMITS by Samuela Urbini
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
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very yacht designed by Luca Dini subverts expectations in
a catamaran currently under construction at the Wider yard.
some way, because that’s the disruptive approach the designers
The yacht is 28 metres long and its main deck covers over 100
and collaborators of LUCA DINI Design & Architecture adopt
square metres, half of which is taken up by the owner’s cabin.
for all their projects. Based in the heart of Florence, the studio
“The idea is that of a catamaran, which has always been the
founded in 1996 by the Florentine architect has created some
preserve of sail yacht aficionados but is now moving towards
unforgettable, ground-breaking designs – take, for example, Tribù
new horizons and ways of sailing”, Dini says. “It has an athletic,
in 2007 and Sea Force One in 2008. It also has a division dedicated
elegant superstructure (with angular design highlighted by Wider’s
to residential design projects, including some futuristic examples
typical orange line – ed) and the profile of a contemporary yacht,
on the Red Sea. “The decision we took four years ago to dedicate
so we subverted the normal catamaran lines with inserts, folds
a section of the studio to the residential sector was a wager that
and lines more similar to yacht design. We added the drop-down
I can now say has paid off handsomely”, says Dini. “The yacht
terraces near the stern in line with the latest trends and the owner’s
designs developed by my studio range from the Gentleman line
specifications, creating an even closer contact with the sea”. The
of retro craft to futuristic, cutting-edge yachts like the Cetacean.
interior resembles a loft with large open spaces, windows, natural
It’s our curiosity that drives us to create designs that are always
light and glossy ebony and teak details. The lower deck hosts two
different and entertaining, offering our clients something truly
VIP cabins with direct access to the beach club plus a third guest
unique”. Dini is a determined, eclectic leader who surrounds
cabin, with crew quarters in the bows. The hybrid propulsion,
himself with carefully-selected collaborators. “We’ve sought out
proof of the yacht’s sustainability credentials, provides a pleasantly
young professionals who are full of ideas. Their backgrounds aren’t
quiet ride, because sailing is above all a passion that’s all about a
restricted to yacht-building, they have experience in a wide range of
search for tranquillity and calm, unlike driving a car, where the
fields, as we want ideas that are always outside the box”, Dini says.
throaty roar of the engine is often part of the experience.
One example is the development of the Cetacean: Widercat92,
So when will we be seeing a full-electric yacht? “I’m sure the
Above, the owner’s cabin on board the Widercat 92, which occupies around half of the main deck area. The transparent sides mean it is full of light. Opposite page, the dining area with full-height windows. Below, the catamaran exterior showing the drop-down terrace aft
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
Above, Widercat 92 under way. Above left, the helm station, and left, the welcoming cockpit forward and another spacious area aft that occupies almost entire width of the boat. Both areas can be personalised by the owner
most satisfying thing about sailing on board an electric catamaran
course, means we’ll also need adequate infrastructure and support,
will be the peace and quiet. Total silence apart from the sound of
which doesn’t exist at the moment”. For the future, the studio will
the waves. In this sense, though, I think the nautical world is lagging
follow design trends but also understand how owners wish to live.
behind. In Italy we have problems with electric car charging posts, so
“After two years of the pandemic the world has changed in many ways
you can imagine what it’s like for yachts. I think that in future we’ll
and we’re trying to assimilate this new philosophy and adapt to the
travel using less polluting, quieter modes of transport, but that, of
constant changes”.
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