In Profile: Bassan & Benedetti
Bassan & Benedetti have been shortlisted for Concept Over 40 Metres Award in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards. Read more about Yacht Designer, Alessandro Benedetti, below:
Name: Alessandro Benedetti
Company: Bassan & Benedetti
Position within company: Yacht designer
Website: www.bassanebenedetti.com
Tell us a little about your background in design:
When I was a child, I always used to draw boats and cars. When I grew up, I decided to study design and to approach the yachting industry. I studied in Italy and I gained my bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design in 2018 and in 2021 my master’s degree in Naval and Nautical Design.
How would you describe your personal design style?
I always try to achieve a balanced shape with less lines in order to have a clean, beautiful and timeless design. Everything is designed with a logical view on the background, and nothing is unnecessary.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
I always get inspiration from the greatest yacht designers, always trying to understand their approach to design. I also get inspired from transportation design, architecture ideas and the aviation industry, which really fascinated me.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
I think that design is moving in a much more conscious and experiential direction, also when you design products, interiors or yachts you cannot forget the environment, culture and climate we’re in nowadays, and obviously the green aspects within all their features.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.
Freedom, human, culture, sustainability, innovation.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
I think that involving different people, also outside the design world, is useful to recap a project in a different point of view, and it could reveal incredible ideas and changes.
What was your favourite project to work on and why?
For now, M/Y Lontano, because it’s the first concept yacht I realized at 360 degree, it took hours and hours of hard working and involved many people and industry to collaborate with. I really love this project and it really gives me so much satisfaction and confidence in my own potential.
What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Trying to bring to life a new idea is the most challenging project. The white piece of paper in front of you is a great responsibility as a designer, you must try to fly away with it but remain down to earth.
Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
For sure paper, pencils, my printer and google. My generation raised up with computers and we know how this changed our everyday lives. The way we work and design products or anything else and the easy way we can find information on the web. But for many reasons I like to start with the old school method, to design on paper when I approach a new project of some ideas.
How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
The International Yacht & Aviation Awards set up the state of the art of yacht design industry, and to be shortlisted means that you’re amongst the world’s leading designers. I think that the IYA Awards could be a great opportunity of visibility for a young yacht designer like me.
What projects are you currently working on?
On one hand me and Giulia are currently working on the Lontano Explorer concept because we didn’t expect this great echo, and now we’re working on publishing something about it. We’re also thinking about new ideas for our future. On the other hand, we both know we’re young and we need to learn lots of things in the yacht industry. We decided to work for different shipyards to improve our knowledge in yacht design and production. We really believe we can have our say in yacht design, but it’s a long way away.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I am now involved as a project coordinator in the construction of a custom yacht for a renowned Italian shipyard and I want to learn as much as possible about the relationship between design and production. I also want to continue exploring new ideas and concepts in the field of yacht design.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
When I get my master’s degree my grandfather gave me an old watch of his, which has an inestimable sentimental value for me.
Your favourite holiday destination?
Since I was young, my family and I spent the summer holidays in Sardinia, and every summer I can’t miss this destination.
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
I remember a romantic Valentine’s day with my girlfriend in a tiny hotel in Florence: La Dimora degli Angeli. Maybe it was the atmosphere, but I remember we felt at home in that room.
Then, I don’t know if I have one favourite restaurant, but one is fixed in my memories: the Tenuta le Tre Virtù, in Tuscany, near my home. Now it’s a Michelin star restaurant, but when I had my first dinner there it had just opened, and no one knew it. I remember we were the only table, but the dinner experience was incredible; at the end I was just thinking about how long it would be before it became an acclaimed kitchen. Finally, my favourite bar is the one I realize in my parents’ house, nothing special but I have tons of beautiful memories of me with my friends enjoy our free time together in my tavern, and I can tell you I’m pretty good as a bartender.
Your favourite book, film & song?
Le Petit Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
La leggenda del pianista sull’oceano – Giuseppe Tornatore
Enjoy The Silence – Depeche Mode
Your favourite food and drink?
Hard to answer for an Italian guy. If I need to choose one, I’d say Fiorentina steak with red wine.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Music, music and more music while I’m sketching some new ideas or working on something in my garage.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
I always dream to build things: a piece of furniture, a house or restoring an old boat to sail in the winter season. I love to build any kind of things with my hands, and since I work with computers, I really miss it.
Anything else interesting?
Let’s not stop the wave and see what the future holds.
Bassan & Benedetti have been shortlisted for Concept Over 40 Metres Award in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards.
design et al only work with the world’s leading Yacht & Aviation designers, Aviation companies & shipyards.
If you think you have what it takes to complete in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards, submit your application by clicking here.
If you wish to speak to someone regarding the design awards,
Simply fill in the form below!
Alternatively, call us on 0044 (0)1244 401932