Over the past three and a half decades, Francesco Paszkowski Design has become one of the most recognisable names in superyacht design. From its early beginnings in Florence to a portfolio that spans more than 300 yachts, the studio has helped shape the modern landscape of both exterior and interior yacht design. As it celebrates its 35th anniversary, founder Francesco Paszkowski reflects on the journey so far…
A journey that began with a sketchpad and a dream
Francesco Paszkowski’s first foray into yacht design came, not as a grand plan, but as a consequence of opportunity and curiosity. After a formative four-year stint with the Spadolini Design studio, he was drawn to Singapore during a downturn in the Italian economy.
"The four-year experience at Spadolini Design studio was fundamental for the beginning of my career […]. At the beginning of the 1990s and the years of commuting between Italy, Athens and Singapore, I decided to take the next step and opened my own design firm in Florence," he recalls.
The studio’s first project – a 29-metre open yacht for Baglietto in 1992 – marked the start of a decades-long relationship with the renowned brand and some of the world’s most prestigious shipyards, including Sanlorenzo, Heesen, CRN, Custom Line, Cantiere delle Marche and Tankoa, to name a few.
From sketches to VR
With time, Francesco Paszkowski Design’s aesthetic has matured, but never lost its soul. "Tastes evolve, times change […]. In the past, there were just sketches, today there are 3D renderings […]. However, I still begin a new design by drawing my first idea on a blank sheet," says Paszkowski.
A major turning point came in 1996, when the firm began offering interior design. As client requests grew, Paszkowski established a dedicated in-house team. "Exterior and interior teams work closely with a strong and collaborative approach. Exterior, architectural solutions and layout have to be conceived as a whole," he explains.
Building relationships as well as boats
What sets Paszkowski apart is feeling, as well as form and function. He believes good design is incomplete without good relationships, particularly the trusted collaborations he’s built with shipyards and yacht owners over the years. "Talking and listening are key to creating and keeping good relationships. We don’t build just boats, we create emotions," he says. Whether it’s the first pencil line on paper or the celebratory champagne at launch, Paszkowski places value on the human side of the design process.
This ethos extends to his long-standing collaborations with key figures like designer Margherita Casprini, who has worked alongside Paszkowski on numerous yacht interiors, such as Baglietto’s 60-metre T60. "As head of the studio, I focus on the exterior design, supported by my team [...]. Margherita collaborates closely with my interior team," Paszkowski says. "This dynamic encourages a productive mix of experience between both teams, enhances the creative process and ensures all-inclusive design solutions that embrace both interior refinement and exterior look."
Award-winning masterpieces
In the past year alone, the studio has claimed multiple wins at the World Superyacht Awards, including projects like the 44.3-metre Lt. Pete Maverick Mitchell, 34.8-metre Pazienza and 47-metre M, as well as the Compasso d'Oro in 2016 for the 44-metre Baglietto. Yet for Paszkowski, accolades are secondary to client satisfaction: "The biggest satisfaction consists in creating what we were asked for, when you understand your customers are happy about their yachts […]."
Among his latest triumphs is the 58-metre Tankoa Diamond Binta, a yacht designed with long family holidays in mind. "We emphasised the interplay of architectural forms, extensive wood applications and a neutral colour palette to craft spaces that are harmonious and timeless," he explains.
Also notable is the Tankoa S520, which places new emphasis on open-air living and dynamic exterior lines. "We created a longer and more functional flybridge […] and integrated functional elements into the design," says Paszkowski. The profile’s streamlined silhouette and gunmetal grey hull mark a step forward in modern yacht design.
Designing for the future
Paszkowski’s gaze is firmly fixed on the future. With growing interest in sustainable design and alternative energy sources, he acknowledges that the role of the designer is shifting, but it remains fundamental and irreplaceable.
"There’s still a lot to do about sustainability for yachts […]. In the future, designers are going to deal with technologies that we can’t figure out now, but creativity and aesthetic choices will remain in charge of designers, despite AI progress," he says.
In this spirit of continuous learning and giving back, Paszkowski also mentors the next generation through internships and sessions at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED). "It’s a kind of giving back what I received […]. Teaching can be hard at the beginning, but as soon as you can engage them and capture their attention, they begin to ask questions and get interested. This makes me happy," he says.
His advice to aspiring superyacht designers? "Think out of the box to conceive new ideas, make the most of technology, but don’t forget to let your mind be free to explore […]. Don’t look just for luxury but for simplicity and purpose instead. Yachts have to ‘get along’ with the sea."
At 35 years and counting, Francesco Paszkowski Design continues to refine the language of luxury yacht design. His wish for the future is simple yet profound: "I’d like our studio will be acknowledged as a professional and reliable design studio, able to leave a distinctive sense of aesthetics […] capable of teaching young designers how to properly face a design process." If the past three and a half decades are anything to go by, that legacy is already well underway.
To find out more information about Francesco Paszkowski Design’s latest projects, get in touch with the studio.
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