Name: Marco Lostuzzi
Company: Cantiere del Pardo
Position within company: Designer
Website: www.grandsoleil.net
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc).
I completed my A-level as a shipbuilder in the naval technical college of Trieste Italy. Later I was part of the military service in the Naval Academy in Livorno. After that I moved to the Southampton Institute of Higher Education to degree as an engineer in “Yacht and powerboat design” and finally I did the Master of science degree at the University of Southampton, UK. As work experience after the university degree I worked in a couple of design offices in Italy. The first one was for one year on ship design and the second was for three years in sailboat design. After those experiences in the 1997 I opened my own design studio and since then we have worked on 93 projects of which 29 are fully designed yachts and the others are refitting or some part of more complex design. Other very important experience comes from the sport of sailing which I started very young and I still carry on.
What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
I feel that the design is moving toward producing more user friendly goods, items that assist the user, for example yachts are now much easier to use, sails are easier to hoist and manoeuvre, majority of deck gear can be powered by electric motors and there are already systems in place to automatically control them. Moring can be very easy now with docking systems which control bow and stern thrusters.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2018 and beyond.
– Easy sailing
– Performance
– Aesthetic
– Comfort
– Ergonomics
Where do you feel yacht and aviation design is going in terms of schemes?
I feel that designers will focus on designs that are more and more enjoyable through the ease of use and the comfort.
What projects are you currently working on?
Currently I am busy with the projects of two sailing yachts, the GS 48’ which is a racer/cruiser with high racing ambitions and the GS 68’ which is a large semicustom performance yacht.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Start a new design understanding very well the scope of the design and what will be its real use. It will make it much simpler to take all the decisions later.
What products/services could you not live without when designing?
I make large use of parametric 3D cad software, it helps me to visualise what I am designing very fast and at the same time it is easy to modify and try different solutions.
How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Very important since it is an International award focussed on design which make it a unique opportunity to show our work.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
One is to help the customers of the new design, the GS 48’, to reach our common goal to win sailing races. Another one is to start a research on a new hull form for sailing yachts to provide even more interior volume without scarifying the seaworthiness and performance.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself:
Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
Cruising in Croatia.
Your most treasured possession?
My daughters.
Your favourite hotel, restaurant and bar?
I don’t have a particular hotel in mind. A restaurant has to have good food and a bar has to be enjoyed with good friends.
Your favourite food and drink?
There are so many, but in particular Sicilian and Tuscany food and good wines.
The place that enables you to totally relax?
Running in the countryside.
The place that gives you most inspiration?
Exhibition of impressionism paintings.
Any final thoughts?
I love design and research.