Company Description
Tommaso Spadolini comes from a long line of architects and his father, Pierluigi, was one of the first to take an industrial design course at university in Italy over 40 years ago. He designed the first modern motoryacht— Akhir line by Cantieri di Pisa, which still bears the original exterior design.
Spadolini started designing yachts under his father’ supervision and has worked on more than 200 yachts over the past 30 years. Design Studio Spadolini is committed to developing solutions with the highest attention to detail and technical innovation, while also keeping an eye on the environment to deliver distinctive, ‘’, successful projects.
Design Studio Spadolini has an experienced team with one objective — to create a client’ dream. This, together with our comprehensive project management skills, guarantees every aspect of the design process and results in a build that the client and the studio will be proud of.
We follow all the numerous stages of development and oversee the work in progress, applying strict quality control. Years of experience has given us the knowledge needed to help guide our clients with complex projects to ensure they go smoothly and, ultimately, are enjoyable.
“ mission is to turn ideas and dreams into bespoke world cruising yachts.”
— Spadolini
List of core services:
• Exterior design
• Interior design with detailed material selection
• CAD and technical construction drawings
• Tank testing and yacht refit feasibility planning
• Yacht marketing consultancy
Personality
Q: How did you become a superyacht designer and what or who inspired you into the industry?
As a little boy I often went with my parents to the Cantieri di Pisa shipyard, as my father Pierluigi was the official shipyard designer and my mother Gianna did the interior design. Both of them were forerunners in superyacht design: my father designed the Akhir line, which remained in production for decades, and in the 1960s my mother developed techniques for making a bleached teak that is widely used today. It is therefore no surprise that I couldn’ help but acquire the know-how that forms the basis of what I know today. Even if you rebel against it, you will always have your parent’ DNA.
Q: Of the projects you’ worked on, which was your most challenging and why?
Over the years I have been involved in many special projects. The most challenging was probably the project I did for the king of Spain— fast motoryacht called Fortuna. It was a challenge for several reasons having to report to such an important client was a first for me and naturally I was a little intimidated. Then there was the complexity of the project: designing a yacht around a sophisticated engine room that required extra natural and forced ventilation to give life to the three Rolls-Royce Turbines. Then there was the difficulty of achieving the strength and lightness using traditional materials (aluminium) while at the same time being able to deliver a pleasant, slick exterior design.
Q: How do you go about understanding a client and their wishes for a project?
My love and respect for the sea is evident in my designs I always try to find the right balance between smooth lines, comfortable volumes and close contact with the sea. My goal is to share this love with my clients. To do this I often spend time at the client’ home with his or her family I have to understand the personality, lifestyle and dreams of the client. I often do preliminary sketches on paper with them, usually over dinner or during an informal meeting. I always try to build up an ongoing professional and personal relationship with my clients, and they often become good friends. I think that the job of a designer is to translate the owner’ dreams into a pleasant yacht.
