Tommaso Spadolini: Spend a lot of time at sea

The design studio founded by Tommaso Spadolini is going to celebrate its half-a-century anniversary soon 

The very location and the interior of the office which is inside an ancient church with its vaults and amazing views on the centre of Florence, set the mood for high art. And despite the fact that all the work is done on computers and involves the newest software, maestro begins each and every project with a hand-drawn sketch in pencil. 

“My culture and family background (One of the grandfathers was a painter, the other one is an architect, his mother is an interior deсorator, and his father is one of the patriarchs of Italian industrial design – Editor’s note) has always brought me to consider drawing by hand as the primary method of expression, with which I express the project’s original concept. I believe it’s the only way to communicate emotional content and the soul of an idea. To define the design of a yacht in a word: the only lines are the essential lines”. 

Tommaso grew up in a creative atmosphere. He really loved the sea and went in for sailing sport, so in a sense, his vocation was predetermined. He took his first professional steps in his father’s studio: Pierluigi Spadolini was an architect, but since 1960s he started working closely with Cantieri di Pisa shipyard, and designed almost all of their lineup, including the signature Akhir range. He put his son in charge of sea projects.

Having gained some experience, in 1978 Spadolini junior registered a studio of his own. His debut was a project for Barberis (a small sailboat manufacturer), and since early 1980s he started his long-time collaboration with Canados shipyard. The very first Canados 70 launched in 1984 became a new benchmark in luxury yacht design and the forebear of the range of 58-95 ft yachts.

His name became known in connection with Fortuna yacht (now Foners) built for the King of Spain and launched 2000. Spadolini was part of an international design team working on this unique 41.5-metre vessel. Thanks to three gas turbines she could reach a top speed of over 70 knots. Tommaso was not only in charge of the exterior lines, but also air tunnel testing for engine ventilation. Then there came fame and award for his custom projects – including the Baglietto 138 RC he built for Roberto Cavalli in 2004. By the way, Spadolini designed another yacht for him, Nina J, launched in 2005, and then the 27-metre Freedom in 2018, too. These were the “first-borns” of the “wide body” concept that provided more comfort on board. 

It didn’t take Sapdolini long to gain the reputation of a true master, capable creating innovative design, but keeping in all the functional aspects. His creations can boast beauty, convenience and excellent performance. He designs superyachts, compact powerboats, speedboats and sailboats, as he believes that harmony can be created both in greater volume and in very limited spaces, and they are equally exciting tasks. Therefore, among the shipyards that he partners with there are both the giants of the industry and some less known manufacturers: Baglietto, Barberis, Canados, Cantieri di Pisa, CCN, Fratelli Aprea, Otam, Rosetti Superyacht, Rossinavi, Serigi, Sirena Yachts, Spertini Alalunga, Tecnomarine, Wally.

Maestro undertakes refit projects willingly, too, as it can be seen from the recently reanimated wooden Scilla pilot boat (ex. Duchessa) built in 1966. His portfolio features even villas – like Serena Spinucci’s redesigned residence of 650 sq.m that evokes associations with a superyacht flying through the waves.

His style is called “timeless classics”: harmonious and well-balanced design that never grows outdated. Tommaso Spadolini does not hide his trade secrets at all: “Spend a lot of time at sea, firsthand, in addition to a solid technical and cultural preparation”. As simple as that.