Sustainability in Yacht and Vessel Design Through Smart Spaces: Opportunities Offered by Digital Technologies and New Materiality

The research investigates the role of digital technologies and ICS materiality in onboard immersive spaces to reframe sustainable vessels’ design. Digital technology and reactive materials have been gradually coming into the world of the pleasure maritime industry, implying new possibilities of experiences for users. Despite that, the yacht and vessel design debate lacks on sustainability perspective for these emerging technologies. In this scenario, the paper explores case studies and scenarios, analysing that through the lens of Smartainability. This study is part of a wider research conducted by the Design Department of Politecnico di Milano on the potentials of smart technologies and ICS materials on the new cruise vessels and yachts, that involves case studies analysis, interviews, scenario building, and design concept workshops. The results point out how digital technologies and ICS materials break down the barriers made up of a simple physical fitting through flexible immersive experiences. Their contribution to a sustainable development is both direct and indirect, by replacing or avoiding assembly processes and lightening the vessel itself. The research demonstrates how technologies push and design for sustainability are not distant approaches, but they rather contribute to the effectiveness of sustainable yacht and vessel design practices.