Already a pair in life, designers Marco Bonelli and Marijana Radovic made the courageous resolution to enter enterprise collectively in 2011, becoming a member of their respective studios to co-found m2atelier in Milan.
Bonelli’s design profession had kicked off with an structure diploma from the College of Genoa, within the metropolis the place he was born. Shifting to Paris, the Italian collaborated as an industrial product designer for the likes of Philippe Starck, whereas in Barcelona he developed his architectural expertise in city and residential tasks with expertise at Ricardo Bofill’s RBTA.
Shifting to New York, the place he stayed for 9 years, Bonelli obtained a grasp’s diploma from Columbia College and labored with artist Gaetano Pesce, with Steven Holl’s studio, and for six years with Michael Gabellini, specializing in vogue retail and high-end residential tasks. In 2000, he based BAM and specialised in bespoke tasks for vogue manufacturers from Giorgio Armani and Dolce&Gabbana to Tom Ford and Jil Sander, returning to Italy in 2003 to open an workplace in Milan.
Radovic grew up in Serbia with out publicity to boating or design, however went on to acquire a level in structure from the College of Belgrade and a grasp’s diploma in yacht design from the Milan Polytechnic. The designer furthered her expertise in yacht design with Lazzarini Pickering in Rome earlier than heading to Geneva and Athens to work for SETE, owned by Greek delivery magnate Spiros Latsis.
In 2006, Radovic based the Standby studio in Belgrade and Athens as she deepened her analysis into yachting and inside design, earlier than transferring the studio in 2009 to Milan, the place she and Bonelli now head m2atelier. After working for over a decade throughout a number of architectural and design fields together with yachting, m2atelier started collaborating with Azimut on the following technology of inside designs for the Italian shipyard’s Grande collection of superyachts.
This yr, m2atelier’s first collaborations with Azimut have been unveiled on the all-new Grande 30M, hull 30 of the Grande Trideck (38m) and hull 23 of the Grande 36M, with all three superyachts exhibiting on the Cannes Yachting Competition and Monaco Yacht Present. Bonelli, Radovic and Federico Lantero, Azimut’s Head of Product Design, spoke to Yacht Fashion in regards to the partnership, which additionally consists of the interiors of the flagship Grande 44M debuting in 2026.
Marco, Marijana, having already been a pair, what made you consider combining your studios to work collectively? It appears a courageous resolution.
Radovic: It was dangerous, however we’re nonetheless right here, so it has labored out fantastic.
Bonelli: Yeah, you can name it ‘dangerous enterprise’. Nonetheless, there was numerous widespread floor in our careers. We had each labored internationally and have been each uncovered to many several types of structure and design. We get pleasure from working throughout totally different fields throughout the design world, reminiscent of yachting, vogue, retail, industrial design, residential and so forth.
At present, we have now a workforce of about 50 individuals, and we work throughout many of those totally different fields, which enriches us. We might not have the identical individuals engaged on furnishings design and yachting interiors, however there’s numerous collaboration throughout the corporate and it really works very nicely.
What have been your first yachting designs?
Radovic: Once I was at Lazzarini Pickering, the 118 Wallypower was one of many first main tasks I used to be uncovered to, in order that helped me develop into open minded when occupied with designing interiors for boats. At m2atelier, we’ve labored on a spread of superyachts together with 65m and 58m superyachts for Codecasa, a 56m Vitters crusing yacht plus a 63m in construct, two 44m motoryachts for Conrad in Poland, Mangusta’s third 165 REV (50m), together with 80m and 89m yachts in construct at Feadship.
Federico, why did Azimut search to work with m2atelier?
Lantero: We thought it was the proper time for an evolution. It had been a very long time since we refreshed our inside design following an extended relationship with Achille Salvagni, for greater than 12 years. We have been prepared for a brand new design language, so have been searching for studios that provided this whereas with the ability to retain Azimut’s distinctive DNA.
We have been significantly excited by a few of m2atelier’s work on mega crusing yachts and residential tasks, which led us to discussions. We wished to speak about how the approach to life of such clientele has been evolving over time. It’s evident throughout us, in resorts, eating places, resorts and so forth. We wished our superyacht interiors to replicate this informality, now evident in the way in which individuals spend their time onboard their yachts. We began working collectively about three years in the past.
What was the temporary you gave m2atelier?
Lantero: We began by discussing an total language for the Grande line, then we did a timetable of merchandise to be developed. Their first venture – the bottom for outlining the brand new design language – was the Grande Trideck, which is at the moment the Azimut flagship and has an exterior by Alberto Mancini Yacht Design.
Nonetheless, they have been mainly engaged on three fashions in parallel. On the identical time, additionally they developed the Grande 36M. Just like the Grande Trideck, this was one other interpretation of an current mannequin with an Alberto Mancini exterior however with fully renovated interiors.
The opposite venture was the Grande 30M, which is an all-new mannequin, each from Mancini’s viewpoint and for m2atelier. It began with a clean sheet for each studios. Mancini drew the strains and the idea, but it surely was vital that there was a robust reference to m2atelier from the beginning.
It’s value noting that m2atelier’s work for Azimut just isn’t restricted to interiors, as it might have been up to now. Now, the inside designers are additionally collaborating on layouts, and the design and furnishings of the out of doors social areas.
It is because there must be a easy movement between the indoor and out of doors areas, with a transparent definition of how all of the areas will likely be used. This creates continuity and coherence, and I’m very proud to coordinate these connections. We’re actually boosting this communication between designers as a result of it’s a part of Azimut’s integral design philosophy
Marco, Marijana, what have been the most important challenges working with Azimut?
Bonelli: It was an enormous constructive to be approached by Azimut. We have been inheriting a superyacht collection that was already very a lot appreciated by homeowners and the market, so we have been already beginning in a very good place. The problem was to take it to the following step and deal with the evolution, reflecting the brand new life-style and behavior of as we speak’s yacht homeowners.
It was an extended course of. I used to be shocked when Federico talked about it was solely three years as a result of I used to be pondering 12 years! We’ve compressed numerous work and hours into these three years. Originally, we have been centered on higher understanding the Azimut model. They’ve a really outlined picture and DNA, so we spoke with lots of people throughout the firm but additionally with their prospects all over the world, within the totally different markets. That was very academic.
Radovic: We discovered loads as a result of earlier than that we specialised in one-off customized boats for purchasers, so have been centered on the imaginative and prescient of 1 proprietor. Now, we’re working with a longtime collection of fashions, so the design should enchantment to a broader clientele. Giving a brand new inside design language to the entire Grande household was very difficult.
How would you describe m2atelier’s inside type for Azimut?
Bonelli: We’re going for what we name ‘barefoot luxurious’. We wish prospects to go onboard and really feel comfy. We use a restricted vary of supplies, so we don’t need friends to be overwhelmed by any particular ornament however extra discover the general expertise and laid-back ambiance. We like our particulars to whisper.
Radovic: Widespread options embrace a function wall in every major saloon, such because the Grande Trideck’s ‘unveiling wall’ that opens to disclose the TV. The Grande 30M’s function wall is a bit see-through to showcase the staircase. We’ve labored loads to make sure there’s a typical design language throughout the collection, but additionally that every mannequin has its personal character, so there are variations between every.
What was it like decoding inside designs of current fashions, just like the Grande Trideck and Grande 36M, in comparison with engaged on the all-new Grande 30M, the place each exterior and inside design studios are working collectively from the beginning?
Radovic: It’s simpler to work from the start than to have already got a design in place, however we discover a chance in each problem. Regardless that we have been engaged on current fashions with the Trideck and 36M, we managed to enhance the format.
It was as a lot about structure, not simply décor, so we modified the format of the grasp cabin and the way it flows, which we’re happy with. We labored on the staircases, providing some extra views. Now we have an architectural background, so every little thing will need to have a purpose for being there.
Lantero: Precisely. One of many key factors of Azimut’s integral design strategy signifies that we’re giving the inside designers the chance to specific themselves by engaged on each single layer and ingredient of the design. We’re speaking in regards to the architectural framework, the format, the movement, the furnishings and the small print, reminiscent of the peak of each bedhead and couch backrest.
Integral design is vital as a result of we wish Azimut to have a considerable, distinctive type that I name the firma de la maison, the signature of the home. It’s our interpretation of fashion and it should be recognisable. To do that, it is advisable present the design groups with all of the instruments. They want to have the ability to envision and personalise the architectural framework, in any other case their contribution can be restricted. They’re invested from the beginning and are free to design no matter they contemplate applicable.
How do you are feeling understanding your interiors for the Grande 30M, Grance 36M and Grande Trideck will likely be at this yr’s Cannes Yachting Competition and Monaco Yacht Present?
Bonelli: Stress!
Radovic: We’re blissful to have these three yachts on the reveals. We hope the impression will likely be constructive and the message will unfold. Lantero: They’re each humble with their solutions. Market clever, we’ve already obtained a really constructive appreciation for his or her product. To offer you an concept, we pre-sold eight items of the Grande 30M [as of late July], a yacht that’s an ideal mixture of Alberto’s revolutionary ideas and m2atelier working from the start to optimise the areas and create the particular ambiance they’ve described.
We additionally bought seven items of the brand new Grande Trideck with the m2atelier inside. This response from the market already testifies to the brand new ‘barefoot luxurious’ type and language, which is deeply related to how individuals reside onboard in a extra relaxed approach as we speak.
What’s subsequent for the Azimut-m2atelier collaboration?
Lantero: We’re trying ahead to launching the largest-ever Azimut mannequin, the Grande 44M, in 2026. This will likely be one other yacht designed from scratch by each Alberto Mancini and m2atelier. It’s fairly a powerful boat at 44m, filled with innovation and has a brand new approach of utilizing the house on 4 decks, together with alfresco eating within the ahead a part of the higher deck.
It’s imposing by way of quantity however intriguing in the way in which it creates a brand new ambiance due to the way in which the designers have formed the areas, which shapes the visitor expertise. We’ve already seen the curiosity from homeowners once we speak them via the design. We will speak for hours with them, and you’ll see the curiosity of their eyes as they visualise new concepts for his or her yachting expertise. Will probably be one other milestone for the model.
For extra info go to m2atelier.com, azimutyachts.com
This text was first seen on YACHT STYLE.
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