BG Design Firm, from motor to sail. The ambitions of a firm on the rise
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Giuseppe Bagnardi’s BG Design Firm is ready to land into the world of sailing, bringing with it experience gained in powerboats
BG Design Firm, from motor to sail
The osmosis between the worlds of sailboats and powerboats has been increasingly evident in recent years. In fact, many historic sailing shipyards, such as Grand Soleil, X-Yachts, Swan, and Solaris, have decided to add to their sail production.
Not only shipyards, design studios are also beginning to split between the two worlds, and increasingly there are designers switching from sailing to motor and vice versa. One study that is about to embark on this path is the BG Design Firm, active so far in the field of powerboats but ready to take on sailing projects as well. We talked about it with the founder, Architect Joseph Bagnardi, to let us tell us about the reality of BG Design Firm and find out what’s boiling in the pot.
What is the core business of BG Design firm today?
The Rome-based BG Design Firm, which I founded, has already been working in the craft industry for several years.
To date, we have been mainly involved in powerboats working for Otam Shipyard and Capelli Shipyard, designing both exteriors and interiors. With the Otam Shipyard we are slowly redesigning the entire production range entirely. Lastly, the new Otam 90 GTS, the largest in the range already under construction. On the other hand, as far as Capelli Shipyard is concerned, we are entirely designing the new Stradivari range, which is the shipyard’s line of ultimate elegance.
How do you assess from your perspective the sailing market today?
I think the sailing market today gives a wide customer base the opportunity to have a good choice of products. In my opinion, I think that in the world of powerboating, people are trying to dare a lot, I am referring to shapes, layouts, etc., something that is still lacking in the world of sailing.
I think it’s a more classical world though I think where though you can really do a lot.
Where did the need to enter the sailing world as well come from?
Rather than a need, I would speak of a goal. The whole team has had direct experience with this world, from dinghies to cabin cruisers. The idea of being able to convert this passion into work has always been an incentive and a purpose for the future. Our sailboat concept aims to give importance to all aspects that define a good design, without neglecting any detail: from design, to usability, from elegance, to performance. Together with my main collaborator, Arch. Lorenzo Rispoli, we undertook the development of a series of projects addressed to the sailing world.
What types of sailboats are you thinking of (sport, cruising, racing)?
The correct answer is to all three.
Particularly with the design of the BG Sail 40, we thought of a boat that was comfortable for cruising, with ample cockpit space and generous volumes below deck, but at the same time maintained a sporty feel, both in terms of lines and performance, thus offering the possibility for the owner to have fun in the cruiser, and in Sunday racing. The BG Sail 40 is a boat with an elegant, essential style dictated by sharp lines. The layout of the exterior aft is characterized by a full-beam living area with a single floor plan that allows for great exterior living space for a boat of this size, just as is the case on modern small motor walk-arounds.
Particular is the sofa in the cockpit that via a reclining backrest can be transformed into a comfortable sundeck. The aft hatch folds down allowing for a large beach area. The interior layout includes 3 cabins and 3 bathrooms with a large dinette divided into a living area on the starboard side and a galley and chart table on the port side. The interior is very bright thanks to the large windows on the hull broadside and also thanks to both the glass window that runs along the entire side of the deckhouse and also the large window placed centrally on the roof of the deckhouse.
Is there a model or series of boats that have been an inspiration to you?
Sailing, and sailing in general in recent years, has evolved continuously and frantically, from the standpoint of design, technology, and space optimization, although, again, I still find a disconnect between what is happening in the area of powerboats and sailboats. Despite this, there are icons that have made shipbuilding history and remain important references today for anyone who wants to enter this world. Just think of boats like the First 40.7 for its versatility, or the Swans for their elegance and simplicity, just to name a few.
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