"Valentin Design is a superyacht design studio founded in 2021 and based in Geneva, Switzerland. We design yacht exteriors, interiors, and naval architecture — from bespoke smaller projects to the two 50-metre explorer yachts currently under construction in Turkey. Valentin Weigand and Romain Acquaviva run the studio together, and are directly involved in every project from first brief to final drawing."
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Designing a yacht that looks right is the easier half of our task. The harder half is designing one that works — at sea, in a marina, at anchor at midnight, with guests aboard, with crew trying to do their jobs, with an owner who has lived on boats long enough to know the difference.
We bring a specific combination to that problem. Our naval architecture background means the structural and technical logic of a design is never an afterthought. Our years at sea — sailing, chartering, owning boats since childhood — mean we understand what the water actually asks of a yacht and what living aboard really requires. Between those two things, we try to close the gap that too many designs leave open: between a yacht that photographs beautifully and one that genuinely rewards the experience of being on it.
THE TEAM
“Valentin Design, a group of very talented Designers with an enormous technical background and a very positive mindset. They are fast, professional and very detail-oriented with a strong focus on innovation. It is a real pleasure working with this team on our common project “Time” and learning their understanding of total custom yachts, naval architecture and design.”
VALENTIN
Valentin was born and raised in a small village near Stuttgart, Germany. Although surrounded by only car enthusiasts, he found his interests in water-sports, boats, sailing and waterskiing. Having studied industrial design and naval architecture, he combines his passion for yacht design with a sound understanding of the principle that boats must float. He was awarded a bronze medal in the 2019 European Product Design Award (Transportation category) and went on to win the 2020 Boat International Young Designer of the Year Award. “Exploring new design concepts, and appreciating the beautiful small things that surround us, has shaped my design philosophy. Life is too precious to risk not being passionate and daring. This essential realisation motivates me daily to strive for the best design, only the best.”
ROMAIN
Having discovered sailing at a young age while growing up in Corsica, Romain’s passion for yachts grew as an adult where he spent nine years working on all aspects of yacht refits and construction in the Caribbean while enjoying single-handed and transatlantic passages conveying yachts. He studied naval architecture at ENSA in France. “Designing super yachts requires me to constantly research new aspects about the field of naval architecture in order stay innovative. It’s the best part about my job.” His practical experience of working in the yacht industry, coupled with his love of sailing, allows him to create designs with both form and function in mind. He feels most happy
when sailing, fishing, free diving and being outdoors.
