DESIGN INNOVATION AWARD 2024: THE PINNACLE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION WAS AWARDED AT THE 64th GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The winners of the fifth Design Innovation Award were unveiled yesterday evening, Friday 20th September, in the stunning setting of the historic Palazzo della Borsa, located at the heart of Genoa’s Liberty style city centre. First established in 2020 by the Italian Marine Industry Association Confindustria Nautica and the company I Saloni Nautici, this prestigious award celebrates excellence in research, innovation, and sustainability across the yachting world. Having quickly become an essential international event, the Award promotes the image of Genoa International Boat Show’s many exhibitors with their latest products, acknowledging designs that express emerging trends and new design frontiers.

The award ceremony, moderated by architect and journalist Silvia Botti, kicked off with an opening address by Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci and Chamber of Commerce Board Member Paolo Corsilia. The microphone was then passed to Saverio Cecchi, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, and Andrea Razeto, President of I Saloni Nautici, who then opened the award ceremony proper.

Maria Porro, President of Milan’s Design and Furniture Show, the Salone del Mobile.Milano, and a leading figure on the international design scene, then took the stage. This is the second time in a row that Maria Porro has chaired the jury composed of national and international experts from across various sectors. A presence that strengthens an already increasingly close relationship between the world of yachting and furniture design. The independent jury was called upon to assess close to 100 applications this year, an important number that exceeded expectations and demonstrates the dynamic evolution of such an increasingly innovative sector.

“Chairing the jury of the Design Innovation Award for the second time running is an honour,” stated Maria Porro, “It is not just the word ‘Salone’ that connects our two worlds, there are a great deal of points we have in common. But at the same time there are also many differences and specific needs that define the two fields, those of furniture design and yacht design. And it is within these differences that we can grow together. This is why this friendship, between the Salone del Mobile and Salone here in Genoa, is so important. I want to thank all the organisers and the President for this special occasion, and to remind you that the words already mentioned by the speakers before me – quality, research, design, being selective, innovation – are the common goals of two industries that can work very well together, so I am very happy and honoured to be here today. I also want to thank all the members of the jury: they are the ones who actually had to walk all those miles to see all the nominees.”

The jury was composed of: Andrea Ratti – Executive Director MSc. Yacht Design Politecnico di Milano, Andrana Monk, founder of Monk Design, Carlo Cameli, President of the Italian Yacht Club, Franco Michienzi – Editor-in-chief of Barche, Nabil Farhat – Director the World of Yacht, Robin Edman – Designer and former President of the Bureau of European Design Associations and Luisa Bocchietto – Architect, designer and Member of the DIA Steering Committee.