sanlorenzo debuts SD96 yacht with interiors by patricia urquiola at cannes yachting festival

at the cannes yachting festival 2019, italian shipbuilding company sanlorenzo has officially unveiled the SD96 — a 28-meter-long entry level model yacht. the watercraft, which remains faithful to sanlorenzo’s heritage while embracing new ideas, is the result of tireless research and attention to the importance of liveability on board. known for collaborating with world renowned architects and designers like antonio citterio patricia viel and piero lissoni (sanlorenzo’s art director since 2018), the company has entrusted patricia urquiola with the interior design of its latest edition.

images by thomas pagani

‘I chose patricia because I wanted to add a more feminine touch to the interiors in sanlorenzo yachts, something which until now had been foreign to the nautical world,’ comments massimo perotti, sanlorenzo chairman. ‘and today she is the most sought-after woman in global design thanks to her ability to combine beauty and comfort. all done with a touch of irony and almost poetic sensitivity, with love for all that is local and a great respect for the hard work of the artisans.’

the sanlorenzo SD96 introduces the concept of transforming spaces to enrich the experience of those who inhabit the boat. defined by flexibility and modularity, the SD96 features a flowing space in which the distinctive style of patricia urquiola unfolds, combining a minimalist approach with a blend of carefully selected materials.

‘our starting point for this collaboration with sanlorenzo was doubtlessly the sea, a great source of inspiration for the whole development of the concept and therefore the interior of the yacht,’ says urquiola. ‘the materials, shapes and colors evoke the marine world, creating a flowing and elegant space full of natural colors.’

patricia urquiola’s interiors for the SD96 yacht are warm and welcoming yet with a modern and elegant overall look. located on the main deck, the principal living area is characterised by cannulated oak panelled walls and parquet flooring. with modularity in mind, a dining table for 10 people can be cleverly folded away inside a bench in front of the sofa. built in bronzed steel and wood, and enclosed in a travertine shell, the central staircase also serves as a division via a metal mesh screen.

the upper deck hosts the sky lounge, featuring fully-opening windows that can be used as a living room, dining area or cinema thanks to its adaptable furniture. same for the lower deck, where the living room can be totally transformed by closing a system of sliding panels, creating a cabin with bathroom. the overall uniformity of the finishes found both in the interior and the exterior make up for a smooth indoor/outdoor experience.

one of the most impressive features of the yacht is the owner’s cabin which is located on the main deck. much wider than those offered on boats of similar sizes, it has large windows that evoke the sea, creating a feeling of uniformity with the surrounding environment. the bathroom with ribbed glass walls coupled with a bronzed mirror amplifies a game of pleasant reflections.

as for the exterior, the boat has been signed by the zuccon international project. built on three bridges, the SD96 is an elegant, manageable, two-deck yacht. ‘the style stems from the search for timeless class, where symbols interact flowingly and functionally with the containment of volumes and with the idea that the key element when it comes to style is the hull. the SD96 is a yacht with a wealth of history and tradition that sets sail in a new sea, where stylistic features and functions have been redefined to help write a fascinating new page in the life of this shipyard.’ bernardo zuccon

project info:

name: SD96 yacht

company: sanlorenzo

interior design: patricia urquiola

exterior design: zuccon international project

length overall: 28,93 m
maximum beam: 7,60 m
guest accommodation: 10 people
crew accommodation: 5 people
engine: a) 2 x MTU 10v2000M86 (1380 HP) / b) 2 x cat c18 (1150 HP)
maximum speed: a) 20 kn / b) 17 kn
cruising speed: a) 15 kn / b) 12 kn
fuel capacity: 15500 l
water capacity: 2500 l
tender length: max 4.5 m