Conrad Shipyard has been shortlisted for the Motor Yacht Over 40 Metres Award in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2023. Read more about Chairman & CEO, Mikolaj Krol, below:

---

Name: Mikolaj Krol

Company: Conrad Shipyard

Position within company: Chairman & CEO

Website: www.conradshipyard.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:

My wife and I studied architecture at the Technical University in Gdansk. Having graduated in 2002, we got jobs in the design office at the company Marine Projects. At that time, my Father-in-law was Chairman of Marine Projects, specializing in commercial ship building in Gdansk. That same year, Marine Project received an order for its first superyacht, so we had the amazing opportunity to build the team and work on the project. We started to prepare the documentation, design the furniture and interiors for the very first luxury and private motor yacht built by the shipyard – Escape S. We learned a lot working on this unit. That project allowed us to deepen our knowledge about motor yachts and their specificity.

In 2003, Marine Projects decided to establish a separate brand and company – Conrad Shipyard – dedicated to building luxury superyachts. In 2004, after very good results of my work at Escape S, I was appointed as President at Conrad shipyard. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I heard the news about my new position almost right after the birth of my lovely daughter. In 2005, we managed to launch the next two superyachts and just like that (smile) I have been running Conrad for 20 years, being personally involved in customer relations, but most of all, the design and construction stages of each yacht.

How would you describe your personal design style?

I love timeless shapes and designs that continue to look stylish over the years. A fad is never something I go by. I want the project to still make an impression 15, 20 or 50 years after the launch. Trends don’t last long.

The interiors of all the superyachts, except the recently launched ACE, were my designs. My wife, Agnieszka, specializes in the aesthetic aspect. She has an artistic soul and great taste. I always consider her remarks and ideas when designing. I take great care in the technical and engineering sides, but also functional aspects. In our team, I take the overall responsibility for the engineering.

Obviously, clients are always inspirations and I try to be flexible but always keep an eye on functionality and practical points.

• Where does your design inspiration come from?

The greatest inspiration above all is always the client themselves and the information gathered during the interview. Designing is an artistic creation, so the character and style of the designer must also be considered in the design process. However, the most important thing is to get to know the client well, what they like, what they care about, what their expectations are regarding the yacht, etc.

I am always in between the exterior design office and the client, so I also often add my ideas to the exterior look of the yacht. There are several shipyards and designers that I truly admire. I always appreciate working with Frank Neubelt. He is a person who can overtake present times and in a phenomenal way “jump into future”, but at the same time create timeless projects. Andrew Langton is also a designer whose work I greatly appreciate. I find myself lucky to have worked with Andrew on ACE but also on Viatoris.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I have the impression that now there is an exaggeration everywhere, a lot of opulence and complexity. On the one hand, it is a creative direction, on the other, overly complicated and not very useful. I really admire the interior design of ACE. She is the very first vessel designed not by me but by Italian designers from M2 Atelier. I admire their approach: minimalism, aesthetics, and philosophy “less is more”.

The world is also moving towards ecology. Above a certain size of the yacht, it is very difficult to build a fully ecological unit, but it is our responsibility to create more sustainable solutions on board.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

1. Timeless designs are always in fashion. Following the trends will never make the design memorable in a few years.
   
2. Environmental aspects implemented at all levels of design and construction are one of the key themes. We all love beautiful clean water and air, so it’s our obligation to protect them.

3. Functionality and comfort on board. Our priority will always be to make the client feel as comfortable as possible.

4. Ergonomics

5. Rationality. It does not make sense to implement on board devices that no one will use.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Advice number one would be to properly diagnose needs, and collect all elements and aspects that may affect a given project. I don’t like selective design. A detailed requirements analysis is always needed.

What was your favorite project to work on and why?

The recently launched motor yacht C144 ACE has been a breath of fresh air for the shipyard. We have collaborated with very talented Italian designers – M2 Atelier who were responsible for the breathtaking interior design of the yacht, famous British exterior design office – Reymond Langton and well-known Diana Yacht Design – naval architects from the Netherlands. ACE is a result of great teamwork. The reactions and feedback of ACE so far have been spectacular. It makes me proud of this project.

Nevertheless, it’s very difficult to highlight which project is the best one or the most extraordinary. All of them are different. I took part in the design and construction process of all of them (sentimental smile). The 35m sailing yacht Lunar launched in 2013 and the 40m motor superyacht Viatoris launched in 2018 will always have a special space in my heart.  Lunar was very difficult as well as game-changing due to the specific requirements for the interiors and the variety of details, wood, fabrics. We had excellent cooperation with the owner. I honestly loved working on this project. The award-winning Viators[2]  was our comeback to the mainstream – motor yachts. After analyzing the client’s needs, we managed to work out many solutions other than what he had assumed. The client himself admitted that he did not know what would have happened if he had not trusted us. A phenomenal yacht.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

ACE, the first unit from the C144s line, was one of the most rewarding projects, but also one of the most challenging ones for the shipyard. First, the pandemic started when we were about to start constructing the hull. We spent a lot of time on remote cooperation and online meetings between all involved parties. We had a big team of professionals based in different parts of Europe and around the world. Furthermore, we managed to implement a lot of solutions on board that are normally made on much larger units.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

A personal computer is a product that I could not work without. The second thing is AutoCAD. Last but not least, I would say I find a good relationship with the clients and a kind of chemistry between us to be particularly important. That feeling that you are on the same page with a client in terms of design, expectations, taste but also work ethic is something I really care about.

How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?

My son and I are fans of civil aviation. To follow the latest trends in yacht and aviation is our passion and we find these industries extremely interesting. My hidden dream is to design the interior of a private jet one day. For Conrad, it’s a very important contest. It’s always good to be next to great competitors and be judged by an independent jury. We participate in the International & Aviation Awards every time we have a new project or new launch.

What projects are you currently working on?

We are also in the process of the construction and design arrangements for the 2^nd and 3^rd unit from the C144s line. We are moving forward with the concept of C130 in collaboration with Frank Neubelt. We are about to start this project shortly. Furthermore, we have been finalizing project measuring for the 48-49 m Conrad C155.

What are your aims and goals for the next 12 months?

Conrad and I have set very ambitious goals for the upcoming months. Reorganization in the company and transformation of the production site has begun. We are planning to modernize the shipyard, including increasing production capacity and construction of new halls here in Gdansk. We are getting ready to build vessels with over 500 GT. There have been a lot of inquiries in my inbox to design and construct superyachts with over 70m in length. I cannot keep refusing. I must face the challenge as soon as possible (smile).

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

I don’t pay much attention to material things. The greatest treasures are family and good health… Satisfaction from work is also important.

Your favorite holiday destination?

Difficult to admit, but I don’t remember the last time I was on holiday. However, Tenerife in Gran Canaria is a place that I like very much thanks to its moderate climate, rich flora, and the ocean.

Your favorite hotel, restaurant & bar?

I am a sentimental person, so I would say that my top choice for hotels is Monte Carlo Bay. We spent a lot of time here with my family when my kids were smaller. We had a beautiful time together. L’Entre Villes in Sopot is my number one restaurant. I don’t go to bars.

Your favorite book, film & song?

“La Catedral der Mar” by Ildefonso Falcones is the best book I have ever read, but also all the novels relating to World War II. I don’t really have much time to watch TV or go to the cinema, but I remember when my kids were small, we went to watch Wall-e produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney. I really enjoyed that movie.

Your favorite food and drink?

I like traditional Polish “gołąbki”, which is a cabbage roll with meat and rice inside (amazing taste). Spaghetti is also always a good idea.

To drink, good Champagne.

Your favorite way to spend an afternoon?

When I can rest a bit (laugh).

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

From a very young age I dreamed of being an architect. But my second choice would be to be a pilot or a steward. Civil aviation is my true passion.

Anything else interesting?

My dream is to design a yacht with a piano on board. My wife and my son play piano, my daughter is a young professional opera singer and excellent classical piano player. She also has a big dream to become a conductor of one of the world’s famous orchestras.

Conrad Shipyard

---

design et al only work with the world’s leading companies in the Yacht & Aviation industry.

If you think you have what it takes to compete in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories