To Dare is to Innovate

To Dare is to Innovate Striking design and an emphasis on comfort are the distinctive hallmarks that showcase the style of Valerio Rivellini, founder of the yacht design studio that bears his name. He’s also fond of springing surprises

by Désirée Sormani - ph. courtesy of Valerio Rivellini 50

“W

hen I take on a new project, I do it with the

simple interiors with minimalist lines. I believe the secret behind a

awareness of a production engineer and the

good design is the right use of materials in the right place. This makes a

problems dealt with during the years spent

yacht attractive and elegant without emphasising one particular object.

at sea”. A true Neapolitan, Valerio Rivellini

The Velar 70 is the embodiment of elegance, it has two helm wheels

has the sea in his veins. A sail yachtsman since early childhood, he

and slips into port at 3/4 knots. For simplicity, take the totally open

raced in the Optimist class and then on Lasers before finally becoming

8-metre gozzo – a clean sweep on deck, nothing to see save the tiller,

a skipper. With hands-on and a degree in naval engineering under his

a cushion and some modern plexiglass”. Rivellini also likes springing

belt, he has worked with a number of Italian yards designing all sorts

surprises – the hull of the Evo R6, for example, conceals a rigid-keel

of craft, sail yachts and motorcruisers, including the famous variable

tender beneath the sunpad, and features a table that can be extended

geometry motoryachts by Evo Yachts. “With the first model, the Evo

to seat 10 people simply by moving a backrest.

43, I think I received more criticism than compliments, especially for

Then there’s the social element. “I’m used to sail yacht cockpits where

the hydraulic system that opens the lateral bulwarks and moves the

everyone gets together. Motor yacht owners often end up on their own

beach platform. Nowadays these two innovations can be seen on a

at the controls”. This led Valerio Rivellini to place a sizeable sofa to the

whole range of craft of different dimensions, even small yachts only

side in the cockpit of the Evo R6, so that at least two or three people,

seven metres long. This simple system can kick in smoothly in case

including the caaptain, can have a conversation while under way. “The

of malfunction, because I know what building a yacht is all about.

Velar also enables those on board to experience the sea in the company

And how to sail it”.

of others when sailing, maybe enjoying a coffee. It has two helm wheels

Crucial elements in his design are attention to detail and technolo-

in the heart of the aft cockpit, like a sail yacht. It’s a real family yacht,

gical innovation. “Every new project is a challenge for me”, he says

something people want in times like these.

www.rivellini.it

with a gleam in his eye. Design and engineering blend, form and function combine in the project. This immediately becomes clear when looking at his recent production, from a traditional Mediterranean gozzo to the Evo series and the refit of a 50-metre yacht. “I put a lot of myself and my personal tastes – for example I think a direct relationship with the sea is fundamental. Being on board means you’re never more than 10 to 15 centimetres from the water. I like clean,

Valerio Rivellini, born in 1978, founded the Naples studio in 2009. These images show the variety of the designer’s nautical production. Below, the 8.5 metre gozzo Libeccio 8.5 Classic by Cantiere Mimì and the Velar 70. Top, left, a rendering of the Vita 78, a 70-metre model with open stern and sea-level terrace, and the Evo R6 Open. Rivellini also handles industrial and car design

51