Yes, I do remember very well. At the time I was teaching at the School of Architecture and one of the students asked me if I could assist her father, who had just bought a shipyard and a project to build, to help with the design, which was not really what they wanted. Out of curiosity I set up a meeting and immediately started sketching my own ideas. I was hired on the spot, and I thought to myself, this is great, so easy to do… I had no idea how wrong I was at the time. The project was well received by the clients and the shipyard went on to build and successfully sell four yachts of that initial 56-foot model, which was considered quite large in those days. That started a long relationship with the shipyard and was the launch of my career in yacht design.

Was this career always your dream, or did an unusual opportunity lead you in this direction?

The closest to my heart at any moment is always the next project… but that’s not the meaning of the question. Of course we designers love all our creations with no exceptions but the ones that I start under my own initiative, with no client at first and then find an owner, are very rewarding, such as the 90 m DAR, (now Luna)

What was the quirkiest or most unexpected request from a client?

Listen to the client! The client is at the beginning and at the end of the design process. Then get out of your comfort zone and learn the skills to sell the results.

What future trends in yacht design excite you the most and why?