Winning an award is one thing. Being invited into the inner workings of one of the world's most revered superyacht builders is another entirely. For the finalists of the 2026 Young Designer of the Year Award, that rare opportunity became reality in May, when Feadship - the award's official sponsor - opened its doors for an exclusive three-day visit to its facilities in the Netherlands.
The trip offered the finalists a look at Feadship's design philosophy, build processes and the people behind some of the most iconic yachts afloat. From touring yachts under construction at the Aalsmeer yard to sitting down with senior designers at Studio De Voogt (Feadship's in-house design studio), the experience was designed to inspire and connect the next generation of yacht designers with the industry's established leaders.
The Young Designer of the Year Award, which took place earlier in 2026, saw Finn Lortan take home the prize. But all finalists were promised a behind-the-scenes visit at Feadship.
The finalists touched down in Amsterdam on the afternoon of 20 May, gathering that evening for dinner and drinks in the city.
The main event came on the following day, when the group was taken to Feadship's Aalsmeer facility. Welcomed by the commercial team, the young designers received an introduction to Feadship's heritage before embarking on a comprehensive tour of the outfitting yard. They explored various departments and stepped on board a project designed by Studio de Voogt.
As they moved through the sheds, the finalists witnessed how Feadship's renowned craftsmanship and innovation come to life. The tour provided a comprehensive look at the design and build process, with the Feadship team available throughout to field questions and explain the creative decisions behind each project.
Lunch with the full studio team was followed by a carte blanche experience led by two Feadship designers - the company's signature approach to developing a comprehensive design brief.
The day concluded with a dinner cruise along Amsterdam's iconic canals, followed by drinks at a local pub.
“Feadship is proud to support and celebrate young design talent,” said Feadship head of design Tanno Weeda. “Each year, we set a new challenge for aspiring young designers. The creativity, energy, passion and fresh perspectives they bring to the table are a promise for the future of yacht design.”
Entries for the Young Designer of the Year Award 2027 are now open until 16 November 2026 and the winner will be announced at the 2027 Superyacht Design Festival.
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