Already a pair in life, designers Marco Bonelli and Marijana Radovic made the courageous choice 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 trend retail and high-end residential tasks. In 2000, he based BAM and specialised in bespoke tasks for trend 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 transport 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 shifting 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 era of inside designs for the Italian shipyard’s Grande sequence 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 contains 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 choice.
Radovic: It was dangerous, however we’re nonetheless right here, so it has labored out positive.
Bonelli: Yeah, you could possibly name it ‘dangerous enterprise’. Nevertheless, there was plenty of widespread floor in our careers. We had each labored internationally and had been each uncovered to many several types of structure and design. We get pleasure from working throughout completely different fields throughout the design world, corresponding to yachting, trend, retail, industrial design, residential and so forth.
As we speak, we’ve a staff of about 50 folks, and we work throughout many of those completely different fields, which enriches us. We could not have the identical folks engaged on furnishings design and yachting interiors, however there’s plenty of collaboration throughout the corporate and it really works very effectively.
What had been your first yachting designs?
Radovic: After 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 interested by 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 a protracted relationship with Achille Salvagni, for greater than 12 years. We had been prepared for a brand new design language, so had been searching for studios that provided this whereas having the ability to retain Azimut’s distinctive DNA.
We had been significantly fascinated about a few of m2atelier’s work on mega crusing yachts and residential tasks, which led us to discussions. We needed to speak about how the life-style of such clientele has been evolving over time. It’s evident throughout us, in resorts, eating places, resorts and so forth. We needed our superyacht interiors to mirror this informality, now evident in the best way folks spend their time onboard their yachts. We began working collectively about three years in the past.
What was the transient you gave m2atelier?
Lantero: We began by discussing an general language for the Grande line, then we did a timetable of merchandise to be developed. Their first challenge – 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.
Nevertheless, they had been principally engaged on three fashions in parallel. On the similar 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 challenge was the Grande 30M, which is an all-new mannequin, each from Mancini’s standpoint and for m2atelier. It began with a clean sheet for each studios. Mancini drew the traces and the idea, however it was vital that there was a powerful reference to m2atelier from the beginning.
It’s price noting that m2atelier’s work for Azimut will not be restricted to interiors, as it could have been prior to now. Now, the inside designers are additionally collaborating on layouts, and the design and furnishings of the out of doors social areas.
It’s 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 can 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 optimistic to be approached by Azimut. We had been inheriting a superyacht sequence that was already very a lot appreciated by homeowners and the market, so we had been already beginning in a very good place. The problem was to take it to the following step and give attention to the evolution, reflecting the brand new life-style and behavior of right now’s yacht homeowners.
It was a protracted course of. I used to be stunned when Federico talked about it was solely three years as a result of I used to be considering 12 years! We’ve compressed plenty of work and hours into these three years. At first, we had 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 in addition with their clients world wide, within the completely different markets. That was very academic.
Radovic: We realized lots as a result of earlier than that we specialised in one-off customized boats for shoppers, so had been centered on the imaginative and prescient of 1 proprietor. Now, we’re working with a longtime sequence 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 fashion for Azimut?
Bonelli: We’re going for what we name ‘barefoot luxurious’. We wish clients 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 environment. We like our particulars to whisper.
Radovic: Widespread options embody a function wall in every important 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 lots to make sure there’s a standard design language throughout the sequence, but in addition 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. Though we had been engaged on current fashions with the Trideck and 36M, we managed to enhance the structure.
It was as a lot about structure, not simply décor, so we modified the structure of the grasp cabin and the way it flows, which we’re pleased with. We labored on the staircases, providing some extra views. Now we have an architectural background, so all the things should have a cause 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 precise themselves by engaged on each single layer and component of the design. We’re speaking in regards to the architectural framework, the structure, the movement, the furnishings and the small print, corresponding to the peak of each bedhead and couch backrest.
Integral design is essential as a result of we wish Azimut to have a considerable, distinctive fashion 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, you could 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 acceptable.
How do you are feeling realizing your interiors for the Grande 30M, Grance 36M and Grande Trideck can be at this yr’s Cannes Yachting Competition and Monaco Yacht Present?
Bonelli: Stress!
Radovic: We’re completely happy to have these three yachts on the exhibits. We hope the affect can be optimistic and the message will unfold. Lantero: They’re each humble with their solutions. Market clever, we’ve already acquired a really optimistic appreciation for his or her product. To provide you an thought, we pre-sold eight models of the Grande 30M [as of late July], a yacht that’s an ideal mixture of Alberto’s progressive ideas and m2atelier working from the start to optimise the areas and create the particular environment they’ve described.
We additionally offered seven models of the brand new Grande Trideck with the m2atelier inside. This response from the market already testifies to the brand new ‘barefoot luxurious’ fashion and language, which is deeply related to how folks stay onboard in a extra relaxed method right now.
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 can be one other yacht designed from scratch by each Alberto Mancini and m2atelier. It’s fairly a formidable boat at 44m, filled with innovation and has a brand new method of utilizing the area 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 best way it creates a brand new environment due to the best way the designers have formed the areas, which shapes the visitor expertise. We’ve already seen the curiosity from homeowners once we speak them by way of the design. We are able to speak for hours with them, and you may see the curiosity of their eyes as they visualise new concepts for his or her yachting expertise. It is going to 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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