Name: Marcelo Penna

Company: Marcelo Penna Yacht Design

Position within Company: Owner & Main Designer

Website: www.mpyachts.com

. What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?

In a cleaner and more efficient direction, simpler and pure designs.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.

Environment
Efficiency
Functionality
Fusion
Lightness

. And key trends that we should be aware of?

Interrelationship between structure and appearance and between lightness and performance.

. What projects are you currently working on?

53 m ultra sleek transpacific range motor yacht.
54 m fast patrol vessel.
several fishing vessels and passengers ferries, some of them full electric.
Luxury yacht-type high speed train coaches interiors.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

As simple as possible.

. A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?

Living your passion, it’s no longer a work. And well managed, there is enough time for both, you must know and respect your priorities and limits.

. How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

It is certainly gratifying, without losing sight of reality…

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

To go ahead with current projects, and be happy with my family!

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

The car you drive?

Volvo

Your favourite place to travel to in the world?

Mallorca

Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?

A barbeque at anchor, this is the best!

The place that gives you the most energy?

The sea, everywhere.

And the place that enables you to totally relax?

My sailing boat.

Your favourite food and drink?

Tuna sahimi fish by me, with a cold albariño white wine.

Anything else interesting?

To read.