boat design in the spotlight – when artisan skill, innovation and architecture shape the boats of tomorrow 

Invisible to the general public, but vital at every stage of design, boat design is an occupation of balancing aesthetics with ergonomics and engineering. Because designing a yacht means thinking above and below the waterline, taking into consideration the outline, circulation, spaces, light, use, comfort, and safety, but also technical, environmental and budgetary constraints. 

As owners’ expectations change – in looking for more modularity, durability, and smart comfort – boat designers are getting more creative. Architects, decorators, engineers, and stylists all design spaces often subjected to constraints to be real places to live in, full of emotion. 

As an unmissable event, the Cannes Yachting Festival is pulling back the curtains on these hidden occupations by highlighting four internationally renowned practices, which now craft the most admired boats and yachts in the world. 

“There’s something deeply moving in boat design: it’s where the dream of escaping meets a feat of engineering, design and artisan skill. At the Cannes Yachting Festival, we want to pay tribute to those who imagine these shapes, spaces, and feelings. Because design is much more than a question of style: it is a driver of innovation, a lever of transition and a signature in its own right for every boat. Architects, designers, and stylists… their work crafts the uses and lines of sailing in the future. It is a privilege to be able to give them a stage that matches their talent, in a setting that celebrates the beauty, creativity and passion of sailing every year. With more than 700 boats on display, from the largest boat builders to niche launches, our show provides a unique setting for unveiling the excellence of boat design in all its forms." Sylvie Ernoult, Director of Cannes Yachting Festival. 

Focus on four renowned architectural practices that will be walking the aisles of the Festival from 9 to 14 September 
 

Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, between lines of the horizon and life lines 
 

They number nineteen, and are based in La Rochelle shaping the future of sailing boats and catamarans. At Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design, every line drawn has a function, every space an intention. The studio designs bespoke or series of boats from 10 to 45 metres long for the biggest names in sailing. They include Allures Yachting, Garcia Yachts or Gunboat, but also Amel, Fountaine Pajot, Hanse Yacht, J/Composite, Veya... who will be present at the Cannes Yachting Festival this year. 

"Every project is a blank page," says Olivier Racoupeau, founder of the studio and former regatta enthusiast. "It all starts with listening to the boat builder or the end customer: how they use their boat, what they want, and constraints they may have. Then the design comes in". 

Founded in 1983, the practice has evolved with customer expectations and changes in the industry. In 2008, Isabelle Racoupeau joined the studio to structure the interior approach. She had studied international trade and appreciated the world of yachting since she was young. She imagines interiors to enjoy living in, where volumes, lights, materials and circulation are designed to support life on board. 

“These are places to live in. The design must go hand in hand with what future owners want to experience on the water: more light, more space, an opening to the outside," she explains. Catamarans, monohulls, hybrid boats… lines pass each other and expectations evolve with customers looking for style and more technology, plus increased awareness. 

Crafting the interior of a boat requires a subtle balance. Unlike a house, the light moves, the floor sways, the space is restricted and even the slightest material has to resist humidity, salt and the sun. Decoration should therefore be seen as a technique in its own right: a choice of coverings, visual harmony, storage integration, a feeling of flow. "Every centimetre counts, but every emotion as well," emphasises Isabelle Racoupeau. 

Aware of its role in this evolution, Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design plans for ecological challenges. Natural, recycled or recyclable materials are offered right from the start. "It goes without saying. And often it’s our children who remind us about it," says Olivier. Design, commitment, transmission: at La Rochelle, every boat is a discreet manifesto, but one that is followed. 

Piaton Yacht Design, the elegance of meaning 

Piaton Yacht Design does not put its signature to interiors to impose a style, but to reveal an identity. The agency started with brand design and turned to yachting in 2010 after a first noteworthy project. Two years later, the boat builder CNB entrusted them with a founding mission: to design the interiors of its semi-custom range. It was a decisive collaboration, which anchored the agency in the boat design landscape. 

"We are not looking to put a hand on it, but to serve the brand DNA," explains Clara Piaton de Turckheim, associate and project manager. The balance between elegance, comfort and functionality is at the heart of every creation, in constant dialogue with the boat design architects, boat building teams and end users. Every project is unique, designed to be a fair, practical, sustainable answer 

The complexity of interior design for sailing lies in a dual requirement: to create a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, despite significant technical constraints, in a wet environment that is constantly moving. On board, aesthetics meet function – without ever giving up. 

In 2025, Piaton Yacht Design was involved in the launch of three world premieres in Cannes: the Bali 5.2, the CNB 62 (Solaris) and the Sun Odyssey 415 (Jeanneau). In addition to these models, several other boats have already been presented and become references: the Bali 5.8, the CNB 78, the Excess 13 and the Sun Odyssey range. 

"What’s on the water should always be beautiful, whether it’s a small cruiser or an exceptional yacht," says founder Jean Marc Piaton. Far from blingy luxury, the agency cultivates a practical and demanding aesthetic. Inspiration can come from architecture seen elsewhere, a material, a desired atmosphere. Each space aims to "have just the right touch" by creating harmonious living spaces, with every detail thought out, that's able to adjust to new paces… and new generations of users. 

Dixon Yacht Design, innovation and passion resulting in excellence 

For more than twenty years, Dixon Yacht Design has embodied British excellence in the world of yachting. At the helm of the studio, visionary and enthusiast Bill Dixon imposes a style where performance, elegance and technical ingenuity become one. Their motto is to turn dreams into tangible lines. 

In 2025, the studio put its signature to a world premiere, the Pearl 63, a new model from Pearl Yachts boat builders, designed as a firm evolution of the Pearl 62. Sporty, spacious and bold, “The Pearl 63 retains the spirit of the 62, but introduces a sharper exterior design and better flow, with particular attention to detail,” Bill Dixon points out. 

The interior, entrusted to renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen, has been completely redesigned. "Design evolves with our lifestyles. For the Pearl 63, the layout has been reconfigured to make the living areas bigger and improve movement flow around it. This creates a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere, without ever sacrificing sophistication," she says. 

At Dixon, innovation and ostentation never go together. It is rooted in use, sustainability and anticipating needs. "The future of sailing is to design boats that their owners will want to keep, not replace," insists Simon Coles, Senior Designer. Through the use of sustainable materials, alternative energies and onboard technologies, every choice aims to make luxury a space of responsibility. 

Espen Øino International, when the line is drawn by use 

At Espen Øino International, every line drawn is a response to a real need. The Norwegian naval architect’s studio, a global benchmark in its field, pushes the boundaries of customisation with an approach that goes against the tide: here, style never comes before function. Whether it’s an exceptional yacht, a high-performance chase boat or a high-capacity ferry, it all starts with its use being analysed. 

Based in Monaco, the team – around twenty employees with various profiles spread across project units – designs fully customised boats, in full immersion with the boat builder, customer and the context. "You don't design a boat, you meet a need," sums up Espen Øino, naval architect. This year, in Cannes, their answer to a very concrete expectation will be in the spotlight: the Windy SR40, a high-end chase boat designed just as much as a day boat to support yachts from 30 to 60 metres long. 

Launched with the boat builders Windy, this model concentrates all of the studio’s expertise. Its line is sharp. Its hull provides excellent performance and seaworthiness, and its architecture allows safe and easy movement on board but also when boarding or disembarking. Its programme offers maximum comfort for transfers and relaxation. "This boat came about due to something missing. We wanted a chase boat that was fast, stylish and functional from all points of view. It did not exist. So we designed it," explains Espen Øino. 

One of the most notable innovations is the design of large sliding doors that, when closed, protect against the wind and spray, while when open allow access to natural light and ventilation, while also providing easy circulation through passageways. At first glance, this is a discreet detail, but it completely transforms the experience on board, especially during anchorage or manoeuvres in port. 

In the studio, the environmental dimension is fully integrated into the design. Natural ventilation will be optimised to reduce the need for air conditioning. Materials are sustainable and thought goes into hybrid systems or hydrofoils. Espen Øino International is really moving towards more responsible navigation. 

Each project is an equation with multiple variables: safety, aesthetics, use, impact, circulation onboard, technical constraints. The studio does it without ever choosing the easy option. Beauty is not the end goal, but the consequence of a demanding process, which makes boat design an art of engineering.