You may know that, before I went on to work as a Beneteau-dealer for almost eight years, I used to be a dealer for Dufour Yachts in Germany. These boats made in La Rochelle have indeed been my first ever touchpoint and entrée with and into the boating industry – and sailing as a whole: My first ever offshore sailing adventure was an unforgettable trip from Lisbon via Madeira to the Canary Islands. But, becoming a Beneteau aficionado by profession, is soon lost interest in Dufour yachts.
Even more because apparently in the early 2020ies these boats apparently became very beamy with a high freeboard. I´ve had the impression that the focus shifted from sailing performance (think of the “old” Dufour 36 E, such a great sailing yacht!) more and more to charter compatibility. Well, as it happens, life goes in mysterious ways: A few weeks ago I accepted a job for one of the big international used boat platforms. The task: Write an extensive summary about every sailboat that is currently in production from every big series production brand. That´s Beneteau of course, Jeanneau, Hanse, Bavaria and, you guessed it, Dufour.
And here is what happened: During my research and writing about the Dufour yachts, I kind of re-discovered the boats. Umberto Felci, the naval architect to whom I still have a great personal relationship, did indeed a good job in following the shipyard´s briefings and trying to transform their (commercial) wishes into nice, modern and a bit extravagant shapes. But what struck me most were the interiors! From the big picture, the layouts and macro-solutions to the details I was more and more stunned of how different the current boats really are!
It´s largely a departure from the shapes and lines we got used to so much. Those shapes perfectly match Felci´s outlines, the play with space and light and also the introduction of fresh new shapes. Unusual. Refreshing. And then I realized that the design bureau responsible for this is founded and run by a guy I also know – back from the time when he was still working for Beneteau. Luca Ardizio, now 44 years old, is not only one of the friendliest, most approachable and sympathetic guys in this respect, as it seems, he is a hell of a creative! So, in the aftermath of completing the job for the used boat platform, I contacted Luca and asked if he would talk a bit about his work for Dufour Yachts. Here we are …
About Luca Ardizio´s background and career
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “Luca, it has been a few years since we´ve talked about your work in the Oceanis 40.1 – what has happened since then for you? (You probably want to focus on founding your own design bureau?)
Luca Ardizio: “It has been a while since we met, Lars. At this time I used to work in the product marketing office at Beneteau. I remember we´ve just finished the then-new Oceanis 40.1. Well, at this time, in France, I was working in the Product Marketing Office / Sailing product. I come from Milano where I have my family and friends. So you can imagine it was quite a strain at the Atlantic coast. When Covid hit, it was awful. With all the lockdown and all the restrictions. So I decided it might be better to come back to Italy, as much as I liked working for Beneteau. So I more and more considered the idea of founding my own company, my own brand. And so I did: Ardizio Design was born. That was in 2021.”
Luca Ardizio: “Before this I had also worked as a designer. I really started with Grand Soleil back at that time in 2007. With the big crisis of 2008 the shipyard was in commercial trouble. I was 29 years old and I decided to move and travel for a while. Now I am happy that the shipyard is back and the boats look really nice. In 2012 I had the great opportunity to work for Nauta Design, which in my eyes is one of the biggest and best design offices for yacht design. There I worked on different one-off sailing projects and on Lagoon catamarans. That´s pretty much the story.”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “And then you secured the contract with Dufour?”
Luca Ardizio: “Yes! I have been invited from Dufour to participate in a design contest for the interior of their yacht. It was the end of 2021. The yard decided to offer me the opportunity to express my design and we did it. The first Dufour collaboration it was the Dufour 41 back at that time. After this, the yard decided to go forward with the collaboration with the Dufour 44 and 48 and recently 54 launched in Cannes always in collaboration with Umberto. It´s a fantastic project and a great team work. And by the way, I am glad you noticed it, really!”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “Yes, it was strange at first, because the Dufour 41 was kind of different inside from all the other boats. But then I noticed a pattern. Or a signature, let´s say. To me it seems like the shipyard has granted you more freedom and free reign to decide … is that true?”
Luca Ardizio: “Well. Maybe. Maybe not. I don´t know because I always work the way I work. Together with Dufour we are currently launching our fourth project. Both, we as designers and the shipyard, have created a great relationship, also with Umberto of course. It´s an atmosphere where ideas can flow. They fly around constantly in both directions. The yard is very keen to see new ideas. They consider inspiration as a natural attitude and have a strong respect for the marine behavior of each boat we design. It´s a working environment that boosts creativity. Maybe the outcome is so special because of this, what do you think?”
How boats – and their designs – change over time
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “Surely, Luca! Let´s talk about the developments of the Dufour boats and the role designers and shipyard play a bit more. When I “left” the brand, it was in 2017/18, the then Grand Large-series were boats which had a nice luxury comfort-level but a strong emphasis on sailing. Looking at the Dufours now and compare the latest designs with the one almost 10 years ago, it´s apparent that Umberto and the shipyard took a path towards way beamier, volume-oriented, “Med-style” cruising boats. What was your initial briefing in this respect in regard to interior design?”
Luca Ardizio: “Well, Lars. I would say it´s like this: Hull shapes are always changing. It´s a constant process that by the way took place before the period you describe and it´s even taking place now. In our leisure boating industry, this change is driven by its own factors. In this regard, for years now shipyards notice a growing demand by the owners for more storage and – most of all – more “features”. Sailing capabilities are a kind of customary fact, but with all the technology developing, better energy capabilities and such, owners´ expectations change accordingly. I would say that Umberto is making miracles happen by adhering to these demands and keeping the Dufour performance at a high level!”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “Let´s go into some details of your work. What is it with your “love” for hexagonal-shapes? The dinner tables for example. Is this a personal thing or why and how did you came up with this shape, because it´s really unusual and never-seen in other boats.”
Luca Ardizio: “The real question is … do you like it? We do. (he laughs) Honestly, in my view, a shape or a form needs to be always an answer to the function. No matter how big the boat, there´s always a lack of space. In this case, we need to find place for six persons around the table, and for that project the hexagon was our answer. So, which shape makes sure that everyone fits a place? The circle for example. Because at a round table, there´s always space for one guest more … but the circle was not the design shape we were happy with. It have been these kind of reflections and thoughts during the creative process that lead us to try out the hexagon. We liked it. And after we proposed it to the shipyard, they also liked it and apparently, the owners like it too. Today’s yachts are full of interiors. Some shipyards even press 4 cabins onto 40-footers! So, there is a basic need for shapes which fit to the very limited space. Since its limited and we cannot create new volume, we arrive at so many compromises.”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “What I´ve also noticed in your interior designs is the fact that it´s striking how “accurate” your interior design, the location of things and positioning of elements like the galley or seating area, absolutely matches the location of Umberto´s hull- and coachroof-windows and even bulleys: Did you work closely together (outside and inside) or do you just took Umberto´s lines and made the best out of it? It seems you did indeed work hand in hand.”
Luca Ardizio: “Oh, thank you so much for noticing it! With Dufour and Umberto it works like this: There is a preliminary hull design by Umberto which we take and work with. We also come up with a preliminary interior layout. Then we work together – for the exterior as well as for the interior – and we try to find the best compromise. We speak a lot, we sketch around, play out ideas. And we find compromises. It´s really a very vivid and constant exchange.”
Luca Ardizio: “You see, especially on sailing yachts the available space is very tight. Even on the big boats. So, in several so-called “design loops” both departments, exterior and interior, are more and more nearing the final end-product, which will then become the boat in the end. But you can be sure: Nothing is finished until it is built. But there´s more than exterior and interior design we have to consider, by the way. There is also a huge catalogue of demands by the technical department: Just think of all the pipes, the cable ducts and the need for space to fit all the machinery and systems which make the luxury happen. So, it´s more than just “fitting” our designs into Umberto´s exterior shapes. Regarding this, one thing is very important to me though … it´s the respect for his design.”
Luca Ardizio: “I am a sailor myself. I love sailing on holiday so much and I try to get a sheet and steering wheel into my hands as often as I can. I really love it. And as a sailor as well as a professional design I know how much effort it takes to come up with a proper hull shape. How much work goes into the perfect hull. You know, the first hull is always the ideal proposal in terms of performance. So, when I work with these hull designs, I have a big respect for the ideas, the creativity and the sweat that went in it. I respect that much. For my own work I really push hard and try not to ask for any modification at all! Until all possibilities and iterations are tried. I have a big respect for the naval architects´ work!”
A look behind the curtains …
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “As you have worked for so many brands, tell us, what is the difference in terms of work ethics and working in general between Dufour and Beneteau and maybe other brands?”
Luca Ardizio: “For sure there are differences. I would say that both brands are very big names in the industry, carrying a rich history. As I said, there is a constant strive for development as conditions always change with the market. So, the boating industry needs to react and it is important to introduce innovation. It´s important for the industry as a whole. This is why for me it is not so important of how a shipyard works, but if it goes along in this respect. For sure, the size of a shipyard plays a big role. It defines of how much can be invested into development and research. But also, smaller shipyards tend to work faster, because there´s a smaller overhead. They maybe just do it and see where it takes them. Bigger companies however can set up larger programs … for me, I am just a designer, you know? I just love to design boats.”
Luca Ardizio: “I have worked for several brands now. When I work, I really do not feel as an owner of the boat that I design. It´s not the way I work. Also, when I meet people of the industry or discuss with other designers, it’s really not about specific brands. We take it on in broader terms, in a very general way, I would say. Because we all feel and know that when someone makes an innovation, it´s good for all. Be it Beneteau or be it Dufour: In a big picture it is important that the industry pushes, constantly. Ideas are good for all because these can move forward the whole business. And there is a lot to come up with: Sustainability, resources, new materials and such. So, in essence, for me this is more important than anything else.”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “How does Luca Ardizio work? Do you scribble with pencil on paper or solely rely on CAD/computer design? Also, do you utilize AI in some form?”
Luca Ardizio: “Oh yes, we sketch! I even draw on napkins, mostly to visualize or explain to myself. We discuss a lot, sure. At Ardizio Design we use 2D-drawings a lot and we also model in 3D. It´s basically the whole range of digital and “offline”-tools we utilize. As for artificial intelligence, we are investigating, let´s say. I am very interested in tapping into its potentials to generate images. We are testing different tools and applications right now if we could use AI to visualize stuff. Right now, it´s a bit of a limbo: Sometimes you put in some commands and the outcome is perfect, surprisingly outstanding. Sometimes the result is totally not OK. It seems to me a bit random right now and I cannot rely on the outcome. As said we are testing it…we are open and will certainly go on testing the different applications.”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “But you do not design with AI, right?”
Luca Ardizio: “No, of course not. Honestly, I´ve never tried to use it for design. As I said, I am kind of old-school, loving to scribble and sketch. At today stage is more convenient to sketch and design in 2D. But I can imagine that maybe one day it will help to make the creative process become more efficient, faster or even more convenient. For example, the way I use the computer mouse now to enter a command by a simple click, maybe in the future I will enter my commands by just speaking. Design by words, you see? Drawing a design with my voice. I don´t know. At the moment we only use AI in the last phase of a project. Everything is set and done, AI will generate visuals, change a blue pillow to yellow or add a different background to the image we use for presentations.”
What the future will bring
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “So, what is your current project?”
Luca Ardizio: “Well, it´s complicated as I cannot speak freely about many projects, you can imagine. We are working on the next Dufour and there is a new collaboration with Nautor’s Swan announced during last Cannes boat show: It´s the new Swan 73 where Ardizio Design is in charge of the exterior design and interior architecture with German Frers being the naval architect and the interior style by Studio Blend & NPD Nautor.”
Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “My last question, Luca: What would be a perfect dream-project, brand or kind of boat you´d love to design? Also: What is cooler, designing series production-boats on a budget for “everyone” or really go into luxury spendings for one-off billionaires?”
Luca Ardizio: “Ha! That´s a good one! In general, we love all the projects! No, honestly, I like every project, no matter the size or budget. As I said, I am a sailor, so I prefer designing sailing yacht, monohulls especially, although we also have very nice power boat-projects as well. I believe that the core and the “goodness” of a project is always the people working on it. I am interested in the relationship with all the actors collaborating. When the communication easily flows and the sharing level is high, the project will develop clever solutions and a high standard of innovation in an almost natural way. On the other hand, boats are my day-to-day life for nearly 20 years now. It may sound strange, but yachts boats are so … normal for me. I mean, I wake up in the morning and I know that I will deal with a boat this day. As much as I love it, it´s like breathing for me. And in the end, it´s my job. Asking for my dream project? I really would love to design a chalet in the mountains! Build it with timber and natural stone. Wouldn´t this be cool?”
It surely would! Thanks so much, Luca, for this insight into your work! I look forward to meeting you in person maybe in Cannes this year, maybe you give me and my readers a personal tour in your latest boat then?
Related articles you might find interesting:
Luca Ardizio on the then-new Oceanis 40.1
Talking to Umberto Felci about designing a yacht
Sailing a Dufour Grand Large 460 to the Canary Islands
